IBM Mainframe Forum

Hi,

Instead of creating and reading an smp/e rel file using tape I would like to create
the tape image on disk and then read it from there.
What is the best way to create a tape image on disk?

rgds,

Trevor

Hello Trevor and welcome to the forum,

There is nothing i know of called a "tape image". Data stored on tape is sequential. Sequential data may also be stored on dasd. Usually this is done by copying data from the tape to the dasd.

Accompanying the tape should have been documentation that explains which files are on the tape and what jcl is needed to process the tape. If the smp data arrived on tape, you will need to read the tape in order to copy the contents. If you are not certain how to proceed, i'd suggest you talk with whoever provided the tape for the install/upgrade.

The SMPe DDDEF settings will allow you to direct the RELFILEs from the distribution tape to disk during the RECEIVE process. Subsequent reads during APPLY are from the disk files.

Folks,

Thank you both for the reply but I think I did not explain my question properly.

I am interested in creating a relfile tape (not unloading it).
To create a relfile tape I use IEBGENER (for the 1st relfiel - SMPMCS - JCLIN) and IEBCOPY for all other relfiles
and direct the output from these to tape.
Then I run an SMP receive/apply and all is o.k.

What I would like to do is create a relfile but instead of writing to tape,
write it to disk. (I want to bypass having to use a tape).
Then run SMP receive/apply using the relfile (created on disk) as input.

I am assuming SMP expects input in tape format i.e. label 1 is the SMPMCS, obtain the relfile count,
and then work through the remaining labels reading the relfiles.
Please excuse the terminology here but this is why I call it a 'tape image' on disk
i.e. SMP/E processing a disk file that looks like a tape file.

Is there a utility I can use to create the relfile direct to disk (that SMP will be able to process)?

rgds,

Trevor

I looked at the SMPE Packaing Guide http://publibz.boulder.ibm.com/epubs/pdf/gimpkg80.pdf and it mentions RELFILES being either "tape images" or tapes. Also mentions loading files to disk and receiving from there.

Dig into this and maybe you'll find the way!

Thanks, folks.
I'll have a look and let you know how I get on.

rgds,

Trevor

You're welcome - good luck

And do let us know how it goes. . .

d

Folks,

The solution is:

1. Create the SMPMCS file on disk - PS FB 80
2. Create the relfiles on disk and call them: RFDSNPFX.FuncName.Fx
To create the relfiles I used IEBCOPY - same as the tape job.
(F1 contains JCLIN (member name = func name), F2 contains relfile 2, F3 contains relfile 3, etc...)
3. Run the SMP/E RECEIVE job - //SMPPTFIN is the SMPMCS file
4. SMP/E will read the SMPMCS file, obtain the relfile count, and process as normal reading the disk
files i.e. looking for 'RFDSNPFX.FuncName.F1', F2, F3, etc...

Therefore, if SMP/E finds the SMPMCS i/p on disk it will search for the relfiles on disk also (using the
standard naming convention - RFDSNPFX.FuncName.Fx)

thanks for the help.

rgds,

Trevor

You're welcome - thanks for the update

d