Backing up the RECON data sets

Back up the RECON data sets frequently. They are a critical resource. Always make backup copies of the RECON data set after performing any RECON record maintenance, such as registering databases and adding or deleting change accumulation groups.

Use the BACKUP.RECON command to perform backup. This command issues the necessary RESERVE commands (reserving the device during backup processing) to ensure backup integrity. Then it invokes the AMS REPRO command to copy the data set. The BACKUP.RECON command copies only the first copy of the RECON data set. Its parameters determine whether it makes one or two copies. In parallel access mode, no reserve commands are performed. Instead RECON activity is quiesced for all active DBRC instances.

If parallel access is enabled, the user has the option to take a backup copy of a Transactional VSAM (TVS) RECON using DFSMSdss COPY or DUMP. When DFSMSdss COPY or DUMP is used, TVS automatically quiesces the data set so that a consistent or sharp backup copy is produced.

Related reading: See IMS Version 15.4 Commands, Volume 3: IMS Component and z/OS® Commands for additional information on the BACKUP.RECON command.