We have just put the 5.1.7 PTF for the MVS/OS-390 TSM Server on the test LPAR. Although it cannot be tested extensively, I try to do every possible task that is possible. We upgraded to a Magstar 3494 (3590 12GB) last year, which I use for all of TSM except the Archive's. Instead the Archives go directly to 3494 tapes (about 800 MB) in our old Memorex ATL. Since the test LPAR does not have a sequential primary storage going to the Magstar I thought to create one, the old ATL will soon be going away. In defining this stgpool I ran across the CRCData parameter. After reading everything I could about it I still haven't quite figured out if it would be beneficial or not. This is my take on it and if I'm wrong would someone please let me know? 1. By not using the CRCData (default), everything stays exactly like it was in 4.1 or 4.2, meaning that it will still search or repair DB inconsistencies if fix=yes, but it will go through all the data on the volume to check for these problems.
2. By using CRCData=yes, the data is stored with this CRC info, which uses more overhead on each of the tapes it writes to. As I backup to disk and then migrate to tape, this overhead would happen during migration and the Offsite copy, and would probably also affect the DB backup because of this added CRC information. But....when I need to audit a tape the DB would first compare CRC data. If both the DB and the tape CRC data is in sync it would not have to actually go through the whole tape looking for problems and would actually use less overhead at this time. If they weren't in sync and fix=yes it would then process like the old audit volume where it would go through the whole cart looking for inconsistencies. But the end result would be the same, right? All the CRC data can do is know a little faster if there is a inconsistency or save a little time if there is not a problem but it does not actually do anything else? So overall it would depend on if I wanted to use more overhead in the tape pool processing or instead in the audit of a tape? Does anyone have other takes on this? I would appreciate any and all opinions. Thank You, Shannon Madison Gas & Electric Co. Operations Analyst - Data Center Services e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]