Minimizing object scans after restore operations

You can learn how to prevent scanning of objects during the first access of the objects after they are restored.

At V5R3, i5/OS provides the capability to scan objects in the integrated file system for things like viruses and file usage. As part of this support, you can specify a scan attribute for integrated file system objects so that they are never scanned, or are scanned only after the object is changed. The default scan attribute value is that the objects will be scanned if object scanning is implemented for the integrated file system. Additionally, the Scan file systems control (QSCANFSCTL) system value was introduced in conjunction with this function. One of the default options for QSCANFSCTL is that all objects will be scanned on first access after the object is restored even if the scan attribute for the object is to never be scanned or to scan only if the object is changed.

If you are restoring objects from trusted sources or are restoring from saves where a scan was done as part of the save, and the trusted source or you have set the scan attributes to never be scanned or to scan only if the objects are changed, you might want to take action to prevent the scans during the first access of the objects after they are restored. To prevent the scan that occurs after the restore, you must specify *NOPOSTRST on the QSCANFSCTL system value before the restores are started. After your restore is complete, you should consider removing the *NOPOSTRST option on the QSCANFSCTL system value so that on subsequent restores objects will be scanned on first access after an object is restored, regardless of what attribute is specified.

Setting the QSCANFSCTL system value to minimize object scans after restore operations

  1. Type WRKSYSVAL QSCANFSCTL and press the Enter key.
  2. You are shown the Work with System Values display. Type 5 (Display) in the Opt column next to QSCANFSCTL and press the Enter key.
  3. You are shown the Display System Value display. Write down the current settings for use after you complete your recovery. If the value *NOPOSTRST is already specified, you do not need to change it for your recovery. Skip to step 6.
  4. Press F12 to return to the Work with System Values display. Type 2 (Change) in the Opt column next to QSCANFSCTL and press the Enter key.
  5. You are shown the Change System Value display. Type *NOPOSTRST. If *NONE is specified currently, replace the *NONE value. If any other values are specified, add *NOPOSTRST as an additional value. Press the Enter key.
  6. Press F12 to cancel the Work with System Values display.
Parent topic: Restoring the system: Introduction