Using DFSMSdss as a backup utility for CICSVR

CICSVR users can choose DFSMSdss as their backup utility by specifying the CICSVRBACKUP keyword. DFSMSdss notifies the CICSVR server address space every time that a CICSVR backup is made for a VSAM base cluster or an RLS user catalog. CICSVR stores the backup information in its recovery control data set (RCDS). This enables CICSVR to manage backups that are made by DFSMSdss. Through the CICSVR dialog panels, CICSVR provides data set, forward recovery automation by using backups that DFSMSdss makes.

To use the DFSMSdss DUMP command to make CICSVR backups, you must create DFSMSdss DUMP jobs that can be regularly submitted with a production planning system. Specify the CICSVRBACKUP keyword on the logical data set DUMP command. The output data set name must be unique each time the job is run so that multiple backup copies can be maintained.

You can also use the DFSMSdss COPY command to make CICSVR backups for a VSAM base cluster. There are advantages to using the COPY command instead of the DUMP command:
  • You can use data set FlashCopy® to create the backup instantaneously when the data set resides on an ESS that supports data set FlashCopy. You can use data set FlashCopy to recover the data set instantaneously to a data set FlashCopy-capable ESS.
  • You can use SnapShot to create the backup instantaneously when the data set resides on a RAMAC Virtual Array (RVA). You can use SnapShot to recover the data set instantaneously to an RVA device.

To use the DFSMSdss COPY function to make CICSVR backups, you must create DFSMSdss COPY jobs that can be regularly submitted with a production planning system. Specify the CICSVRBACKUP and RENAMEUNCONDITIONAL keywords on the data set COPY command. CICSVR provides DFSMSdss with a new name for each VSAM base cluster that is copied when the CICSVRBACKUP keyword is specified. DFSMSdss uses the CICSVR-generated new name instead of the one you specify.

For more information about using the CICSVRBACKUP keyword on the DUMP command, refer to CICSVRBACKUP.

For more information about using different methods to generate a unique output data set name, refer to CICS® VSAM Recovery Implementation Guide.

For more information about the CICSVR generated new name and the required RENAMEUNCONDITIONAL specification, refer to CICS VSAM Recovery Implementation Guide.