Defining exclusions

Before running the MAINTLST program, you can designate whether the files noted as critical on the ANALYSIS report need to be maintained by IBM Z® Backup Resiliency. Add files that are reported as critical but are not considered vital for backup purposes to the exclusion list hlq.USERMAC(EXCLDSN) before running the MAINTLST program.

Method 1: Initially, the ANALYSIS report identifies newly found critical files. Review this report for special considerations (for example, files that are being backed up by alternate methods - full volume or in stream JCL backups). After you identify exceptions and enter them in the data set exclusion list, execute MAINTLST to add the remaining newly found critical files to the critical file list. When you execute the remaining phases of IBM Z Backup Resiliency, it automatically generates backups and tracks them for offsite rotation based on the updated critical file list.
Method 2: An alternate method is to execute MAINTLST immediately after the daily collection to automatically keep the critical file list current. Periodically, you can use the MAINTCRT report to review exceptions for placement in the data set exclusion table. The advantage of this method is that there is less exposure to the loss of critical data in the event of a disaster and less data has to be kept on-line (the RETPD1 = parameter may be left at 2 days because MAINTLST is executed daily). The disadvantage of this method is that you may be backing up more files than necessary until the exception data sets are removed from the critical file list.