Using Block Mode Transfer

Sterling Connect:Direct for i5/OS supports block mode transfer of COPY operations. In this mode, Sterling Connect:Direct uses the file block as the data unit. Using the block mode transfer improves performance because the remote and local nodes handle fewer data units. This type of transfer reduces instruction path length and decreases execution time. Larger units move between Sterling Connect:Direct and the file access routines, requiring fewer calls to the access routines and further improving performance.

Sterling Connect:Direct for i5/OS simulates block reads and writes. Using logical blocks instead of physical blocks, Sterling Connect:Direct for i5/OS allows you to modify the blocksize to match the other node in some cases.

Sterling Connect:Direct for i5/OS supports block mode transfer when the following conditions exist:
  • Remote node supports block mode
  • Source and destination files have like characteristics
  • Files are supported file types
Sterling Connect:Direct for i5/OS supports block mode transfers for the following i5/OS file types:
  • DB2 for i5/OS files (without staged compression)
  • Spool files
  • Save files
  • Stream files (using the integrated file system)