You can specify a storage group name for each volume defined in the control data set. Setting the name is optional.

DFSMSrmm validates the storage group name by using services that are provided by the Storage Management Subsystem. For system-managed volumes, DFSMSrmm passes the storage group name to OAM unless the volume is in scratch status. For non-system managed volumes, you can use the assigned storage group names for scratch pooling. For more information about using SG for scratch pooling, see Using SMS tape storage groups for DFSMSrmm scratch pooling.

When a volume is moved from one system-managed tape library to another, DFSMSrmm does not change the storage group name. OAM validates the storage group name during entry to the new library and fails the entry if the storage group is not defined for use in that new library.

DFSMSrmm uses the OAM installation exits to record any changes that ISMF and Automatic Class Selection Routine processing make to the storage group name. This function enables DFSMSrmm to provide the storage group name at cartridge re-entry time, if the volume information had been removed from the TCDB.

For information on how DFSMSrmm records data class, management class, storage class, and storage group information, see z/OS DFSMSrmm Managing and Using Removable Media.