Bootstrap data set

The bootstrap data set (BSDS) is a VSAM key-sequenced data set (KSDS). This KSDS contains information that is critical to Db2, such as the names of the logs. Db2 uses information in the BSDS for system restarts and for any activity that requires reading the log.

Specifically, the BSDS contains:

• An inventory of all active and archive log data sets that are known to Db2. Db2 uses this information to track the active and archive log data sets. Db2 also uses this information to locate log records to satisfy log read requests during normal Db2 system activity and during restart and recovery processing.
• A wrap-around inventory of all recent Db2 checkpoint activity. Db2 uses this information during restart processing.
• The distributed data facility (DDF) communication record, which contains information that is necessary to use Db2 as a distributed server or requester.
• Information about buffer pools.

Because the BSDS is essential to recovery in the event of subsystem failure, during installation Db2 automatically creates two copies of the BSDS and, if space permits, places them on separate volumes.

The BSDS can be duplexed to ensure availability.

For instructions, see Convert BSDS records to the extended 10-byte format: DSNTIJCB.