DFSMSrmm calculates the retention date for data sets and volumes using a combination of the RMM ADDVRS COUNT operand value and the retention type operands. The retention type operands are BYDAYSCYCLE, CYCLES, DAYS, LASTREFERENCEDAYS, UNTILEXPIRED, WHILECATALOG, and EXTRADAYS.

You can specify the COUNT operand value as a number from 1 to 99999. The COUNT operand value 99999 means to retain a data set or volume forever.

You can use the RMM ADDVRS RELEASE(EXPIRYDATEIGNORE) operand to ensure that the retention specified in the VRS overrides the volume expiration date. Table 1 shows the combinations of retention types, retention days or cycles that DFSMSrmm uses to calculate the retention date, and the way DFSMSrmm displays the retention date.