Identifying WORM tapes ready for destruction

Because WORM tapes cannot be reused, you cannot return the volumes to the scratch pool when the data has expired. Normally you would expect the volumes to be destroyed once all the data has expired. DFSMSrmm provides support for automating the management of this process using the existing volume release actions. By default DFSMSrmm sets the return to owner release action, but you can alternatively use the replace release action by changing the release action at any time during the volumes life.

You can set the release actions for the volumes to trigger one of these actions.

List all the WORM tapes that are pending return to their owner. Pick the volumes from the list and destroy them. After the volumes are destroyed, use the RMM CHANGEVOLUME * CRLSE(RETURN) or RMM CHANGEVOLUME volser CRLSE(RETURN) command to confirm the release action which deletes the volume information from the DFSMSrmm control data set.
List all the WORM tapes that are pending replacement. Pick the volumes from the list and destroy them. Create new WORM tapes that use the same set of volume serial numbers. After the volumes are destroyed, use the RMM CHANGEVOLUME * CRLSE(REPLACE) or RMM CHANGEVOLUME volser CRLSE(REPLACE) command to confirm the release action which updates the volume information in the DFSMSrmm control data set to reflect the volume that has been replaced with a new volume.