Understanding the data class construct

Data class is an SMS construct that determines the characteristics for a tape volume during scratch tape allocation. Data class determines the following attributes for a tape volume allocated in an ATLDS or MTL:

• Tape expiration date
• Retention period
• Recording technology
• Performance scaling
• Performance segmentation
• Tape device selection information (TDSI):
  • Compaction (YES | NO | BLANK)
  • Media type (BLANK | MEDIA1 | MEDIA2 | MEDIA3 | MEDIA4 | MEDIA5 | MEDIA6 | MEDIA7 | MEDIA8 | MEDIA9 | MEDIA10 | MEDIA11 | MEDIA12 | MEDIA13)
  • Recording technology (BLANK | 18-TRACK | 36-TRACK | 128-TRACK | 256-TRACK | 384-TRACK | EFMT1 | EFMT2 | EEFMT2 | EFMT3 | EEFMT3 | EFMT4 | EEFMT4)
  • Special attribute (NONE | READCOMPATIBLE)
• Key Labels
• Encoding Mechanisms

Data class determines the following attributes for a tape volume allocated to a stand-alone tape drive:

• Tape expiration date
• Retention period
• Performance scaling
• Performance segmentation
• Compaction
• Key Labels
• Encoding Mechanisms
• Recording technology (for tape drives that record in more than one format, for example, the 3592 Model E05 or Model E06)