Copy save files to media

You can back up parts of your server to a save file on disk rather than removable save media. However, you should save the save file to removable media on a set schedule.

You can save the contents of your save file by two different methods. You can use the Save save file data (SAVSAVFDTA) command to save your save file data as if your objects were saved directly to media. Or, you can use the Save file data (SAVFDTA) parameter to save the entire save file to media.

Save save file data (SAVSAVFDTA) commandUse the Save Save File Data (SAVSAVFDTA) command to save objects that appear on the media as if the server saved them directly to the media. For example, assume that you use the following commands to save a library:

SAVLIB LIB(LIBA) DEV(*SAVF) SAVF(LIBB/SAVFA)
SAVSAVFDTA SAVF(LIBB/SAVFA) DEV(media-device-name)

You can restore library LIBA either from the media volume or from the save file by using the RSTLIB command. When you use the SAVSAVFDTA command, the server does not save the save file object itself.

Save file data (SAVFDTA) parameterUse the save file data (SAVFDTA) parameter on the SAVLIB command, the SAVOBJ command, or the SAVCHGOBJ command. When you specify SAVFDTA(*YES), the server saves the save file and its contents to save media. You cannot restore individual objects that are in the save file from the media copy of the save file. You must restore the save file and then restore the objects from the save file.

The following restrictions apply when specifying SAVFDTA(*YES):

If you are saving the save file for a server at a previous release, the server saves the save file in a previous release format. The objects within the save file remain in the release format that was specified when they were saved to the save file.
If the save media for the save operation is the same save file, the server only saves the description of the save file. The server sends message CPI374B, SAVFDTA(*YES) ignored for file <your-file-name> in library <your-library-name>, and the save operation continues.