Optional features that affect your backup

A user-defined file system (UDFS) is a file system that a user creates and manages. To determine if you have any UDFS on your system, use one of the following methods.

Using System i® Navigator:

Using System i Navigator, expand your_system > File Systems > Integrated File System > Root > dev > QASPxx or select the name of an independent disk pool. If UDFS objects exist, they appear in the right pane.

Using the character-based interface:

Perform the following steps to see if you have user-defined file systems on the system.

If you are using software encryption for backup tapes and saving system data (GO SAVE option 21 or 22), set the save/restore master key before you perform the save operation. For the instructions, see the Loading and setting the save/restore master key topic.

Virtual media simulates tape, CD, or DVD images that are stored directly on your system disk units. To determine if you store virtual images in image catalogs, do the following:

1. At a command line, specify WRKIMGCLG.
   Note: The Work with Image Catalogs (WRKIMGCLG) window displays the name of the image catalog, the status, and the virtual type.

An independent disk pool is a collection of disk units that can be brought online or taken offline independent of the rest of the storage on a system. If you have the necessary authority, you can check whether independent disk pools are configured on your system. Using System i Navigator, expand your_system > Configuration and Service > Hardware > Disk Units > Disk pools folder. Independent disk pools are numbered 33 – 255.

A System i cluster is a collection or group of one or more systems or logical partitions that work together as a single system. If you have the required authority, you can check to see if your independent disk pool is switchable between systems in a cluster.

1. Using System i Navigator, expand your_system > Configuration and Service > Hardware > Disk Units > Disk pools folder.
2. Independent disk pool are numbered somewhere between 33 and 255. Right-click the independent disk pool and select Properties.
3. On the Disk Pool Properties page the General tab displays the field Switchable: Yes if you have configured your independent disk pool to switch between systems.

The IBM® WebSphere® MQ for Multiplatforms, V6 (WebSphere MQ, V6), 5724-H72, licensed program provides application programming services that enable you to code indirect program-to-program communications that use message queues. This enables programs to communicate with each other independently of their platforms, for example, between the z/OS® and i5/OS operating systems.

To check whether you have installed WebSphere MQ, V6, use one of the following methods:

Using System i Navigator:

Using System i Navigator, expand your_system > Configuration and Service > Software > Installed Products.

Using the character-based interface:

OptiConnect is the system area network that provides high-speed interconnectivity between multiple systems in a local environment.

To check whether you have installed OptiConnect, use one of the following methods:

Using System i Navigator:

Using System i Navigator, expand your_system > Configuration and Service > Software > Installed Products. OptiConnect is option 23 of product 5770-SS1, i5/OS - OptiConnect.

Using the character-based interface:

Several solutions are available that enable you to run other operating systems on your System i product. Examples include integrated server solutions that run an x86-based Linux or Windows operating system, and Linux or AIX® running in a logical partition.

If you have a System i5® model 5xx, your system might be equipped with a Hardware Management Console (HMC). An HMC is required if you use Capacity on Demand or logical partitions.