Technical data

Using Files and Directories
10.8 Copying and Transferring Files
10.8 Copying and Transferring Files
With the OpenVMS operating system, you can copy files on disks and tapes both
within the system and across other operating systems. The OpenVMS operating
system provides a number of facilities to assist you in both types of information
transfer.
Table 10–7 summarizes the methods you can use to transfer information.
Table 10–7 Methods of Transferring Information
Method Description
DCL command COPY Most frequently used method for transferring information.
Convert utility
(CONVERT)
On a local system, allows you to change the organization of a
file from sequential to indexed, for example.
Exchange utility
(EXCHANGE)
On a local system, allows you to access disk and tape volumes
that are formatted for operating systems other than OpenVMS.
You can use EXCHANGE to transfer files between foreign
volumes and standard Files–11 volumes.
DCL command
EXCHANGE/NETWORK
Allows you to transfer files via the network between OpenVMS
and other operating systems. The command is useful for
transferring files between nodes that use OpenVMS and
those that do not. The file is copied in such a way that it is
meaningful on OpenVMS and other operating systems as well.
Backup utility
(BACKUP)
With tapes, the only means of copying entire directory trees or
files that are not sequentially structured. See Section 11.13.2
for information about using BACKUP to copy files.
The COPY command, the Exchange utility, and the DCL command
EXCHANGE/NETWORK are explained in the following sections.
In many cases, you can copy information without physically transporting media.
Perhaps you want to copy files between systems that are not connected by a
communications link. If so, you must be able to move your files physically from
one location to another. A convenient way is to copy your files to a portable
volume, such as a tape reel, tape cartridge, or disk pack, and then carry that
volume to the location of the other system.
The following sections describe how to perform these tasks:
Task Section
Copy files to disk volumes Section 10.8.1
Copy files to tape volumes Section 10.8.2
Continue to copy at the end of a tape Section 10.8.3
Use the Exchange utility to copy files Section 10.8.4
Use the DCL command EXCHANGE/NETWORK to transfer
files over a network
Section 10.8.5
10.8.1 Copying Files to Disk Volumes
Before you can copy files to a disk volume, you must perform the following
actions:
1. Prepare the volume, as explained in Section 9.3.
10–28 Using Files and Directories