Tape automation uses special files located in the QUSRSYS library. If these files do not exist on the system, i5/OS™ supports a limited set of automation functions.
For automation in the early stages of recovery scenarios, you can mount cartridges by specifying the cartridge identifiers in the VOL parameter of the i5/OS commands. However, this subset of automation does not support the use of the cartridge commands, such as Work with Tape Cartridges (WRKTAPCTG) or Display Tape Cartridge (DSPTAPCTG).
During a save of the QUSRSYS library, the files that allow use of the WRKTAPCTG or DSPTAPCTG commands might be put in a restricted state and made unavailable for use. This can result in a deadlock and eventually end the save operation. To avoid this situation, the save of the QUSRSYS library must not cross a volume boundary. It must fit on the mounted volume. Alternatively, you can save the QUSRSYS library by using the save-while-active function.