Control-M/Tape enables you to manage media on both a volume and a data set level. All volume and data set information is stored in the Media Database, which is an IOA Access Method database, thereby making the Media Database the main Control-M/Tape file. All media access is tracked in the Media Database.
As Control-M/Tape rules are implemented, changes to media management attributes (for example, vault patterns and retention periods) are updated in the Media Database. Because the Media Database always contains the most up-to-date information for each data set or volume, it forms the basis for Control-M/Tape operations.
Volumes are identified by a volume serial number (VOLSER). Volume information includes:
All fields essential for effectively managing media utilization (for example, device type, and capacity used).
Fields describing media movement (for example, vault name, entry dates, and expiration date in each vault).
Statistical information (for example, last access dates, change dates, EXCP counts, and error counts).
Data sets are identified by the data set name, the volume that contains the data set, and the sequence number of that data set on the volume. Data set information includes:
All fields essential for protecting data integrity (for example, expiration date).
Security related fields (for example, the creating job name, user ID, and job account).
Media utilization fields (for example, capacity, and number of times used).
Statistical information fields (for example, last read and last write).
Basic data management fields (for example, block count, block size, and record format).
