Related concepts
Virtual storage can help eliminate media errors and user intervention and can increase system availability.
Virtual storage also provides the following advantages:
You can use virtual storage to simplify software and data distribution by creating tape, CD or DVD images on your server. You can distribute these images electronically using file transfer protocol (FTP, FTP SSL) or other electronic methods. On the server that receives the images, you can mount the images in a virtual device for easy access. You can also receive or distribute programming temporary fixes (PTFs) electronically.
You can secure a virtual image by giving it a digital signature, i5/OS™ provides support for using digital certificates to digitally sign objects. A digital signature on an object is created by using a form of cryptography and is like a personal signature on a written document. You need to create a digital signature to use object signing and signature verification.
You can use virtual storage to create actual media using the DUPOPT and DUPTAP commands to duplicate the virtual images to physical media.