BACKDS command: Backing up a specific data set
The BACKDS command creates a backup version of a specific data set or UNIX file. When you enter the BACKDS command, DFSMShsm does not check whether the data set has changed or has met the requirement for frequency of backup. When you enter the BACKDS command for a UNIX file, DFSMShsm will check whether the file has changed since its last backup. When DFSMShsm processes a BACKDS command, it stores the backup version on either tape or the ML1 volume with the most available space.
- An SMS-managed data set (if allowed by its management class).
- A data set that resides on a level 0 volume.
- A migrated data set currently residing on a migration level 1 volume.
- An uncataloged data set (DFSMShsm is used as the datamover).
- A user data set that resides on a migration level 1 or a DASD migration level 2 volume. We do not recommend that users directly allocate data sets on migration volumes.
- A UNIX file.
- UNIX files within a directory, or directory sub-tree.
Regardless of the status or location of the data set, the volume containing the data set must be mounted and online, or the command fails.
When you want to back up an uncataloged data set, you must specify the volume serial number of the volume that contains the data set. In addition, you must specify the type of unit of the volume specified.