MAXEXTENTS: Specifying the number of extents to cause extent reduction

Explanation: MAXEXTENTS(extents) is an optional parameter specifying the number of extents that, if equaled or exceeded, causes DFSMShsm to reallocate all non-VSAM data sets. For extents, substitute a decimal number from 0 to 16 specifying the number of extents to allow before DFSMShsm does extent reduction. If you specify 0, DFSMShsm does not do extent reduction.

When volume migration occurs for volumes containing a non-VSAM data set that cannot migrate either because the data set was referred to recently or has reached or exceeded its maximum extents, DFSMShsm migrates and then immediately recalls the data set.

SMS relationship: Parameter differs in meaning when applied to SMS-managed or non-SMS-managed DASD volumes or data sets.

SETSYS default: If you specify a value larger than 16, the SETSYS default for extents is 16.

DFSMShsm default: If you do not specify this parameter on any SETSYS command, the DFSMShsm default is 0.
Note:
  1. The MAXEXTENTS parameter does not apply to VSAM data sets or to data set organizations not supported by DFSMShsm.
  2. You use this parameter for active, non-VSAM data sets. This parameter only applies to those non-VSAM data sets that are architecturally limited to 16 extents. It does not apply to data sets that are allocated to more than one volume, striped data sets, extended format data sets, PDSE or HFS data sets. Data sets that can be allocated to multiple volumes via the DATACLASS, but are only allocated on one volume, are eligible for EXTENT REDUCTION.
  3. DFSMShsm will not do extent reduction unless the data set is more than one day old in a single-DFSMShsm-host environment or two days old in a multiple-DFSMShsm-host environment.
  4. Using a low MAXEXTENTS value might cause extent reduction to occur more frequently than you want. If you specify a MAXEXTENTS value, try using a value of 5 or more.