Moving Db2 data

Db2 provides several tools and options to make moving data easier.

You can move data within Db2 in several ways: copying a database, copying a Db2 subsystem, or by moving data sets within a particular Db2 subsystem.

Copying a relational database

Copying your relational database involves not only copying data, but also finding or generating, and executing, SQL statements to create storage groups, databases, table spaces, tables, indexes, views, synonyms, and aliases.

You can copy a database by using the DSN1COPY utility. As with the other operations, DSN1COPY is likely to execute faster than the other applicable tools. It copies directly from one data set to another, while the other tools extract input for LOAD, which then loads table spaces and builds indexes. But again, DSN1COPY is more difficult to set up. In particular, you must know the internal Db2 object identifiers, which other tools translate automatically.

Copying an entire Db2 subsystem

Copying a Db2 subsystem from one z/OS® system to another involves the following:
  • All the user data and object definitions
  • The Db2 system data sets:
    • The log
    • The bootstrap data set
    • Image copy data sets
    • The Db2 catalog
    • The integrated catalog that records all the Db2 data sets

Although you can have two Db2 subsystems on the same z/OS system, one cannot be a copy of the other.

Only two of the tools listed are applicable: DFSMSdss DUMP and RESTORE, and DFSMSdfp EXPORT and IMPORT.