Backup with concurrent copy

Programming Interface Information DFSMSdss provides the concurrent copy function to allow you to backup data while minimizing the amount of time in which the data is unavailable. The database or application determines an appropriate time to start a backup, for example, when the data is in a known state and update activity is stopped. You can invoke DFSMSdss directly or through the DFSMSdss application program interface (API) to do a concurrent copy of the entire database. After initialization, DFSMSdss releases any serialization it holds on the data sets and prints a message to SYSPRINT and the console that the concurrent copy operation is logically complete. If you invoke DFSMSdss through the API, DFSMSdss informs the caller through the UIM exit option, Eioption 24, and the application can resume normal operation. End Programming Interface Information

If for any reason data cannot be processed with concurrent copy (for example, the hardware being used does not support concurrent copy), DFSMSdss optionally uses normal backup methods and does not release the serialization until the backup is completed.

If the source device supports data set FlashCopy® or SnapShot, DFSMSdss optionally uses the FlashCopy or SnapShot to provide virtual concurrent copy.

For more information on concurrent copy and virtual concurrent copy, refer to Performance considerations.