Restoring archived data

When archived data sets are needed for processing, you can restore them from the archive tapes or cloud storage environment to ML2 tape or, in the case of archived L0 disk data, to disk.

For archived ML2 data sets, the Restore process writes the selected data sets to a new DFSMShsm ML2 tape and updates the MCDS with information about the restored data sets.

For archived L0 disk data sets, the Restore process restores the selected data sets to disk.
  • For a non-VSAM data set, the data set is restored with the same SMS attributes that existed when the data set was archived.
  • For a VSAM data set, the entire VSAM sphere that existed when the data set was archived is restored.

If you so specify, Advanced Archive for DFSMShsm can drive an automatic DFSMShsm HRECALL of the file (for more information, see RESTORE-TO-DRIVE-DYNAMIC-HRECALL).

Advanced Archive for DFSMShsm provides these methods for restoring data sets from the archive tapes or a cloud storage environment to ML2 tape or to L0 disk:

Restore data sets automatically
If the AXQTINIT started task is running in ACTDYN mode, a file is restored dynamically whenever an attempt is made to access it, much like DFSMShsm performing an HRECALL dynamically. If you choose to, you can exclude from automatic Restore processing data sets based on their archive group name. See AXQEDRGN for more information about specifying a list of archive group names (which are identified by GROUP_NAME keyword values) to exclude from automatic Restore processing.
Restore data sets by executing a batch job
You can edit the JCL in member AXQRESTR of the Advanced Archive for DFSMShsm JCL sample library to include the data set selection criteria for the Restore and submit the job for execution.
Restore data sets by using the RECOVER commands from the ISPF interface
You can use the Advanced Archive for DFSMShsm ISPF interface to display a filtered list of archived data sets and then use the RECOVER commands to recover some or all of the archived data sets.
Note: Be aware that regardless of whether the automatic Restore feature is enabled, some utilities and programs recognize the archived data sets as non-VSAM data sets that are cataloged to a tape device and the utility or program might act accordingly.