Why BRMS Saves More Data Than Expected When Saved IFS Link Lists

Resolving The Problem

Users have different options using BRMS to save Integrated File System files and directories.

The SAVBRM command can be used to save IFS objects. Or, the special value of *LINK can be used in a control group. SAVBRM allows ad-hoc saves on individual directories and files. A link list allows users to create a list of directories and add that list to a control to be saved (possibly in different control groups). *LINK is a complete save of all the Integrated File System data on a system (if doing a full save or changed data, if doing a cumulative).

When using link lists to do cumulative or incremental saves, users must be aware that BRMS does not use the reference date of the last full save of the *LINK that may have been done in a control group. To do a cumulative save of a link list, do a full save of that specific link list first to allow BRMS to have a reference point. BRMS does not use the reference date of the *LINK save for saves of Integrated File System link lists.

Note: Restrictions for using *CUML or *INCR with the SAVBRM command:
1. A full or incremental save using the SAVBRM will only be tracked if OBJ('/*) is specified with no omits.
2. When saving objects other than /* , the full or incremental saves of the specific objects will not be tracked. If wanting to do incremental cumulative or incremental incremental saves of specific directories, link lists (WRKLBRM) need to be used and run in control groups. When using SAVBRM, only full saves are recommended.
3. When a link list is saved incrementally, a full save of the list is required whenever a change is made to the link list entries before the incremental will pick up the changes.