Abstract: A dynamic construct is associated with one or more operational parameters of one or more components of a storage management system, wherein a pointer to the construct is retained in metadata for the storage management system, the values of the construct are stored in a first repository separate from a second repository normally used to store the metadata for the storage management system. The value of the construct in the first repository is allowed to change dynamically at any point of time without affecting the metadata in the second repository. Thereafter, the value of the construct in the first repository is retrieved and used as the operational parameter, instead of a static value in the metadata in the second repository. This provides a level of indirection that allows the construct to be applied dynamically in the storage management system.

Abstract: A method and computer that reduces ABENDs due to end of volume encounters of a job. The method provides an extend-to-new volume processing in response to such encounters. The method permits the definition of primary storage groups and extend storage groups and allows the linking of an extend storage group to a primary storage group. When the job encounters an end-of-volume condition on the current storage volume and is further unable to extend to a new volume in the primary storage group, the method then tries to find a new volume in one or more extend storage groups that are linked to that primary storage group. If no new volume can be found in an extend storage group, an ABEND process is performed.

Abstract: A computer system that includes a computer and a storage system. The storage system includes a plurality of storage resources, each of which includes one or more storage volumes. Data sets are allocated among the storage volumes according to a policy of requirements and preferences based on separation of critical data sets so that a single point of failure in one storage resource will have minimal impact on data sets stored in a different resource. According to the method, a second currently stored data set to be separated from a new first data set is identified. A storage resource and any volume thereof that contains the second data set is identified. An eligible volume list for selection of a storage volume for the first data set is formed according to the policy. The storage volumes of the storage resource identified as containing the second data set are excluded from the eligible volume list.

Abstract: A method of copying a body of source data is shown, with rapid creation of an a backup dataset inventory. While write operations to the source data are temporarily suspended, a backup manager conducts an instant virtual copy of the source data creating a backup copy. Also while write operations are being suspended, the backup manager captures contents of a source dataset inventory cross-referencing datasets in the source data and locations in the body of source data where the datasets are stored. After the copy operation completes and writes to the source data resume, the backup manager adds the captured backup contents to a backup dataset inventory cross-referencing datasets in the backup copy and locations where the backup copy datasets are stored in the backup copy.

Abstract: A dynamic construct is associated with one or more operational parameters of one or more components of a storage management system, wherein a pointer to the construct is retained in metadata for the storage management system, the values of the construct are stored in a first repository separate from a second repository normally used to store the metadata for the storage management system. The value of the construct in the first repository is allowed to change dynamically at any point of time without affecting the metadata in the second repository. Thereafter, the value of the construct in the first repository is retrieved and used as the operational parameter, instead of a static value in the metadata in the second repository. This provides a level of indirection that allows the construct to be applied dynamically in the storage management system.

Abstract: A computer system that includes a computer and a storage system. The storage system includes a plurality of storage resources, each of which includes one or more storage volumes. Data sets are allocated among the storage volumes according to a policy of requirements and preferences based on separation of critical data sets so that a single point of failure in one storage resource will have minimal impact on data sets stored in a different resource. According to the method, a second currently stored data set to be separated from a new first data set is identified. A storage resource and any volume thereof that contains the second data set is identified. An eligible volume list for selection of a storage volume for the first data set is formed according to the policy. The storage volumes of the storage resource identified as containing the second data set are excluded from the eligible volume list.

Abstract: A method and computer that reduces ABENDs due to end of volume encounters of a job. The method provides an extend-to-new volume processing in response to such encounters. The method permits the definition of primary storage groups and extend storage groups and allows the linking of an extend storage group to a primary storage group. When the job encounters an end-of-volume condition on the current storage volume and is further unable to extend to a new volume in the primary storage group, the method then tries to find a new volume in one or more extend storage groups that are linked to that primary storage group. If no new volume can be found in an extend storage group, an ABEND process is performed.

Abstract: A method of copying a body of source data is shown, with rapid creation of an a backup dataset inventory. While write operations to the source data are temporarily suspended, a backup manager conducts an instant virtual copy of the source data creating a backup copy. Also while write operations are being suspended, the backup manager captures contents of a source dataset inventory cross-referencing datasets in the source data and locations in the body of source data where the datasets are stored. After the copy operation completes and writes to the source data resume, the backup manager adds the captured backup contents to a backup dataset inventory cross-referencing datasets in the backup copy and locations where the backup copy datasets are stored in the backup copy.