Technical data

Using BACKUP
11.8 Using Disks and Tapes
11.8.1 Understanding Volume Initialization
Initializing a volume completes the following actions:
• Formats it in the OpenVMS Files–11 format
• Assigns it an ANSI label
• Removes links to any existing files (effectively erasing them)
• Writes a tape expiration date and volume protection data to the volume
header record of the tape
Caution
Initializing a volume removes links to existing files on the volume,
effectively erasing the files. Do not initialize a volume that contains data
you want to keep.
11.8.1.1 When to Initialize Volumes
You must initialize a volume for use with BACKUP if any of the following
conditions exist:
• The volume is new and has not been formatted in the Files–11 format.
• You want to remove access to data stored on the volume.
• You want to change the volume label, expiration date, or volume protection
data.
• The volume contains a non-ANSI or non-ISO label.
Table 11–6 show the three ways to initialize a volume.
Table 11–6 Methods of Volume Initialization
Method For More Information
Before a backup operation with the DCL
command INITIALIZE
Section 9.3
On the BACKUP command line with the
/REWIND qualifier (for tapes only)
Section 11.8.1.2
On the BACKUP command line with the
/INITIALIZE qualifier (for disks only)
Section 11.8.1.3
11.8.1.2 Initializing Tapes
Instead of using the INITIALIZE command and then performing a backup
operation, you can initialize a tape and perform a backup operation by entering
one BACKUP command.
How to Perform This Task
To initialize a tape volume on the BACKUP command line, add the /REWIND
and /LABEL qualifiers to the output specifier. The /REWIND qualifier rewinds
and initializes the volume. The /LABEL qualifier allows you to specify the volume
label.
11–14 Using BACKUP