DFSMSrmm provides SAMPLIB members to help you manage VM tapes. The sample, EDGJVME, is a batch job that creates a list of volumes that are flagged for VM use. EDGJVME gets the information from the extract data set. The job sends this list to the relevant VM system.

When you have received the list on the VM system, you can use the sample, EDGCLIBQ. EDGCLIBQ is an exec that produces information about the volumes on the list, including shelf location, owner, and users that are allowed to access the volumes.

DFSMSrmm provides the LIBQ exec to help you query information about VM volumes. Use the LIBQ exec to get the location where a volume resides. This example describes one scenario for using the LIBQ exec:

1. A user requests a volume to be mounted on VM by sending a message to the operator.
2. The operator issues the LIBQ exec, with the volume serial number requested as ‘LIBQ volser’.
3. The LIBQ exec returns the rack number where the volume resides to the operator.
4. The operator decides whether to mount the volume as requested by the user.
5. The operator attaches the drive with the volume mounted, as requested.

To use the LIBQ exec to find a scratch volume, modify the exec to search for scratch volumes in the file it processes. You can tailor the rules you want to use for ‘in use’ or scratch volumes, or modify the exec and use it as part of your VM tape automation. You might also tailor the process to work with other non-z/OS platforms.