Tape volume ID

What I do is initialize a tape with a unique volume ONCE. Start with 000000 (or 000001 if you aren't into IBM numbering )...

I have a file that keeps track of all of this (you can buy packages to do this too). My backups save with an expiration date calculated 21 days from the day they are running (via a program) so they do not need to be reinitialized when they are due to be used again (the expiration date has passed).

You can go into System Service Tools (STRSST) and take 1. Start a service tool and then take 1. Product activity log and then take either 4. Work with removable media lifetime statistics or 5. Display or print removable media session statistics. Either way you will see WHY you want to keep Volume ID's unique - this will show you the statistics of among other things, errors for each tape used.

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