Avoiding specific image copy data sets during a recovery

You might accidentally lose an image copy, or you might want to avoid a specific image copy data set. Because the corresponding row is still present in SYSIBM.SYSCOPY, the RECOVER utility always attempts to allocate the data set.

Use the RESTOREBEFORE option and specify the RBA or LRSN of the image copy, concurrent copy, or system-level backup that you want to avoid, and RECOVER will search for an older recovery base. The RECOVER utility then applies log records to restore the object to its current state or the specified TORBA or TOLOGPOINT value.

Image copy on tape

If the image copy is on tape, messages IEF233D and IEF455D request the tape for RECOVER, as shown in the following example:

 IEF233D M BAB,COPY   ,,R92341QJ,DSNUPROC,
         OR RESPOND TO IEF455D MESSAGE
*42 IEF455D MOUNT COPY    ON BAB FOR R92341QJ,DSNUPROC OR REPLY 'NO'
 R 42,NO
 IEF234E K BAB,COPY    ,PVT,R92341QJ,DSNUPROC

By replying NO, you can initiate the fallback to the previous image copy. RECOVER responds with messages DSNU030I and DSNU508I, as shown in the following example:

DSNU030I    csect-name - UNABLE TO ALLOCATE R92341Q.UTQPS001.FCOPY010
                       RC=4, CODE=X'04840000'
DSNU508I    csect-name - IN FALLBACK PROCESSING TO PRIOR FULL IMAGE COPY

Reason code X'0484' means that the request was denied by the operator.

Image copy on disk:

If the image copy is on disk, you can delete or rename the image copy data set before RECOVER starts executing. RECOVER issues messages DSNU030I and DSNU508I, as shown in the following example:

DSNU030I    csect-name - UNABLE TO ALLOCATE R92341Q.UTQPS001.FCOPY010,
                       RC=4, CODE=X'17080000'
DSNU508I    csect-name - IN FALLBACK PROCESSING TO PRIOR FULL IMAGE COPY

Reason code X'1708' means that the ICF catalog entry cannot be found.