OpenExtensions for z/VM "Q"s and "A"s

Question: What kind of backup facilities are there for BFS files?

Answer: The pax and tar utilities provide backup in the shell. Both commands create archive files which contain the contents of files directories. For more information on these commands, see the IBM OpenExtensions for z/VM: Command Reference , SC24-5728

Also, since the Byte File System is based on the Shared File System, the existing FILEPOOL BACKUP and FILEPOOL UNLOAD commands can be used to create a backup of BFS files. For more information on these commands, see the z/VM CMS File Pool Planning, Administration, and Operation , SC24-5751 book or SG24-4747, the redbook on implementation and administration.

The VM:Backup product from Sterling Software, Inc. can also be used to backup and restore data in the Byte File System.

For more questions and answers, go to our archive of questions and answers.