M-A-S

Saves one or more accounts to tape.

Caution

You must always perform a VERIFY-SAVE as soon as possible after completing a save procedure. This verifies the integrity of the data saved to tape ensuring that it can be restored.

Command Class

Proc.

Syntax

M-A-S

Restrictions

SYSMAN and SYSPROG only. If run from SYSPROG, accounts with update/retrieval lock codes are not saved.

Multiple reel Multiple-Account-Saves cannot be restored on Reality Release 7.0 or earlier.

Synonym (Q-Pointer) and remote (R-Pointer) accounts are not saved. Only accounts defined as D-Pointers are saved.

Comments

An M-A-S tape comprises a tape label and restore list, followed by a files section comprising multiple account saves with a tape label at the beginning of each.

Typical uses of M-A-S are:

It is recommended that you use ACCOUNT-SAVE unless you have a special reason for using M-A-S. (See ACCOUNT-SAVE for comparison).

To save one or more accounts for restoring onto a Reality release 5.3 or 6.0 system, you must use the migration utilities or you can use OLD-ACCOUNT-SAVE. The migration utilities are described in the User's Guide to the Reality Migration Utilities.

Procedure

To perform a Multiple-Account-Save, proceed as follows:

  1. Ensure that the tape is loaded and on-line, that the tape is NOT write-protected, and you are logged to the SYSMAN or SYSPROG account.

  2. At the TCL prompt, enter:

    M-A-S

  3. The software displays a message introducing the M-A-S utility followed by the menu:

    Please select a format:
                            A) Single File
                            B) Multifile
                            C) Oldsave
                            H) Help

    For an explanation of these M-A-S format options, enter H.

    Select the required save format.

  4. You are then prompted to:

    Enter tape record block length, if other than 8000?

    Enter the required record size. Press return to accept the default value (16000).

    Note

    The record size used with encrypted tape devices must be a multiple of 8.

  5. The software then prompts for the tape units to be assigned:

    Enter tape units desired, in sequence, separated by commas.

    Enter the number(s) of the tape unit(s) to be assigned. Multiple tape units can be used in sequence. Refer to the topic Multiple Tape Units for details.

  6. Next the required tape density is prompted for:

    Enter tape density (if other than Device Default)

    Enter the required tape density.

    Possible values may be 800, 1600, 3200 and 6250 bpi, depending on your system. A density of 1600 or 3200 may be required for compatibility with other systems. A density of 6250 bpi reduces the number of tapes.

    Pressing RETURN results in the default density, as configured in the database config file.

    This initiates an ASSIGN on the specified tape unit. A message similar to the following is displayed.

    [1021] DEVICE(S) TAPE 1 NOW ASSIGNED,
           RECORD SIZE = 16000      DENSITY = 1600

  7. You are then asked if you want a file statistics report for the accounts being saved:

    Do you wish to generate and list stats for each account (Y/<ret>)?

    Enter Y  or press RETURN as appropriate.

  8. The software then prompts:

    Enter prestored list name or return -

    If you have previously made and stored an English list of account names to be saved, enter the name of the list here; otherwise, just press RETURN and the software displays the prompt:

    Enter Account name or return

    The software displays this prompt repeatedly after each account name is entered; press RETURN only to start the Multiple-Account-Save.

    M-A-S now proceeds. If required, it prompts for additional reels to be mounted.

    When the Multiple-Account-Save completes, the number of GFEs encountered is displayed and a file statistics report is printed, if requested. The tape unit is then detached.

    Caution

    M-A-S can occasionally ask for a reel number that is misleading. For example, if an account being saved straddles reels 2 and 3, then instead of asking for reel number 3, it asks for reel number 2 again. While this is logically correct (since it is the second reel of the particular account-save) it can be misleading.

    Failure to write data to tape may result in an error message:

    Tape operation failed (after retries)
Bad Tape - unable to continue.  Type "Q" to Quit

    Refer to the topic Error Messages for details on what to do.

    When the Multiple-Account-Save is completed, the tape unit is detached automatically, the TCL prompt is returned and a file statistics report is printed, if requested.

  9. Re-attach the tape unit using ASSIGN or T-ATT.
  10. Enter T-REW to rewind the tape to the BOT mark and then use the VERIFY-SAVE command to check the integrity of the Multiple-Account-Save tape.
  11. Finally detach the tape unit(s), using CLEAR-ASSIGN or T-DET, to enable other database users to attach the tape unit(s).

Example

The following shows a typical M-A-S procedure.

:M-A-S


                                Multi Account Save
This utility will produce a tape containing a series of account saves
which may be restored using the M-A-R (Multi Account Restore) utility.
Please select a format:
                        A) Single File
                        B) Multifile
                        C) Oldsave
                        H) Help
Format?
Tape record block length, if other than 8000?
Enter tape units desired, in sequence, separated by commas? 1
Tape density (if other than Device Default)?
[1021] DEVICE(S) TAPE 1 NOW ASSIGNED,
       RECORD SIZE = 16000    DENSITY = 1600
Do you wish to generate and list stats for each account (Y/<ret>) ? Y

Enter prestored list name or return -
Enter Account name or return STR
Enter Account name or return INVOICES
Enter Account name or return
1 ITEMS DUMPED
  STR
  STRFILE
  .
  .
[99] 12 TAPE RECORDS WRITTEN.
INVOICES
  .
  .
[99] 63 TAPE RECORDS WRITTEN.
Account Save(s) Completed.
: