DSK MANAGER Recent Updates

DSK MANAGER Recent Changes Log

Effective date: 03/03/98

With this update, DSK MANAGER includes support for backup set retention period and automatic expiration. Using the new features, you can tell DSK MANAGER how long to keep each backup set that you create via DSK MANAGER. Then, by periodically running the Tape Clear function, you can delete expired backup sets and scratch the tape volumes assoicated with the expired sets.

All new customers will receive this version. Existing customers can upgrade by installing all PTF's through PTF level DMPTF009.

Effective date: 10/24/97

As of this change, all functions of DSK MANAGER are now Year-2000 compliant. The product will now work correctly into the new millennium. All new customers will receive this version. Existing customers can upgrade by installing all PTF's through PTF level DMPTF008.

Effective date: 9/30/97

DSK MANAGER allows you to search all known backups for a specific object. This search facility, added to menu option #1 on the restore menu, allows you to search your entire backup library for all objects with a specific name. You can also limit the search to a specific library, specific object type and, for *FILE objects, to a specific member. This allows you to track down and quickly restore specific objects very quickly.

Effective date: 11/26/96

DSK MANAGER now supports distribution of program updates remotely via the Internet. To use this feature, you must obtain DSK MANAGER Version 4.01 or greater from Kisco Information Systems and install it on your system(s). With this feature, you can receive program updates and fixes from Kisco via the Internet. Initially, you must request the update via an E-mail attached PC file. In the near future, we will be making these update packages available for direct download from our Website.

Effective date: 11/04/96

Support added with the new release include the following:

• Automated tape library
• On-line backup status
• Quick selective restore from backups
• New restore options, both selective and global, much faster than earlier releases
• Off-line archive library support for "safe delete" function

Release 4 is available to all current DSK MANAGER customer for a modest $25.00 fulfillment fee. Contact us if you want to receive the update.

Effective date: 03/15/96

Each backup function in DSK MANAGER has been modified to now include an end-of-tape option. Prior to this point, each backup function always ended with an instruction to the tape device to rewind and unload the tape. With this change, you now have control over what happens at end-of-tape.

A new parameter has been added to each backup command. In all cases, the parameter is named ENDOPT and can be coded with the following values:

*UNLOAD - this is the default and causes the tape to rewind and unload when the backup is done.
*REWIND - this option causes the tape to rewind to the start of the tape but leave the drive in a ready status.
*LEAVE - this option leaves the tape positioned where it is when the backup function is finished.

Using this new feature, you can now stack multiple backups onto a single tape. For instance, you could run a Master Data Backup followed immediately by a Library Program Backup. Using the *LEAVE option on the Master Data Backup will leave the tape positioned for the next operation. When stacking operations like this, you MUST USE THE *NOINZ value on the VOL parameter for any backup operations that do not start at the beginning of the tape.

Effective date: 03/15/96

At the request of a customer, a new feature was added to the major backup functions in DSK MANAGER. This new feature allows you, if you have more than one tape drive, to have DSK MANAGER use both drives and swap them back and forth during the backup operation. To use this feature, both tape drives must be compatible with each other.

This new feature has been activated for the following backup functions:

• Master Data Backup
  
• Incremental Data Backup
  
• Library Program Backup
  
• Application Group File Backup
  

When you run any of these options, either from the menu or by using one of the DSK MANAGER commands, two fields will be displayed for the tape drive device name. If you are using a single tape and want to continue using a single tape, just make sure you enter the device name as the first of the two parameters. If you want to take advantage of the tape drive swapping feature, enter both device names in the parameter fields provided. DSK MANAGER will start the backup on the first device. When that tape is filled, DSK MANAGER will switch to the second device. When that tape is filled, DSK MANAGER will switch back to the initial device. The backup will continue, switching between tape devices until the entire backup is completed.