Responding to both Marcy and Bob's points, I give a fresh MDISK to the Linux sysprog who says that he receives errors when running dasdfmt unless CMS FORMAT has been run first. We've been formatting them with CMS for so long now that I can't recall the error.
But I'll add trying defining a new MDISK without a CMS FORMAT and then adding it to a Linux guest and running dasdfmt to our task list. Maybe something changed since "a long time ago". We never used the RESERVE command, either. By Dave suggesting it, there seems to be validation that a CMS format was required at some point. Maybe Linux used to need to see the disk label (volser) on cyl 0 (rec 3 ? w/o looking) of the MDISK. I'll let you know when we've tested again. Thanks for the tips. Mike Walter Hewitt Associates Any opinions expressed herein are mine alone and do not necessarily represent the opinions or policies of Hewitt Associates. "Marcy Cortes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent by: "The IBM z/VM Operating System" <[email protected]> 11/30/2007 09:38 AM Please respond to "The IBM z/VM Operating System" <[email protected]> To [email protected] cc Subject Re: Formatter for/Linux Minidisk from CMS You don't need to. We haven't been CMS formatting them. Marcy Cortes ?This message may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the addressee or authorized to receive this for the addressee, you must not use, copy, disclose, or take any action based on this message or any information herein. If you have received this message in error, please advise the sender immediately by reply e-mail and delete this message. Thank you for your cooperation." From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mike Walter Sent: Friday, November 30, 2007 7:34 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [IBMVM] Formatter for/Linux Minidisk from CMS OK, time to show my Linux ignorance... I've never understood why Linux needs CMS to format the MDISK before Linux formats it. What a waste of I/O's (even if z _does_ perform I/O VERY, VERY quickly!). What a waste of time, and what a set of cludgy processes. What's the deal? Why can't dasdfmt just format what it's given without CMS having to "prep" it? What would it take to change dasdfmt to do so? Mike Walter Hewitt Associates Any opinions expressed herein are mine alone and do not necessarily represent the opinions or policies of Hewitt Associates. "Stracka, James (GTI)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent by: "The IBM z/VM Operating System" <[email protected]> 11/30/2007 08:57 AM Please respond to "The IBM z/VM Operating System" <[email protected]> To [email protected] cc Subject Re: Formatter forz/Linux Minidisk from CMS Kludge yes, one pack; no. Because of striping we would need at least thirteen differently sized template minidisks. Unless we could format just one very large minidisk and image copy as little as needed. I believe CMS gets just a little bent out of shape if one did this. Would not z/Linux too? -----Original Message----- From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Imler, Steven J Sent: Friday, November 30, 2007 9:46 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Formatter forz/Linux Minidisk from CMS Kludgy workaround ... Can you "correctly" format one "template" pack ... then use HiDRO DUPLICATE (or DDR) to clone the pack with the end result being that the packs are pre-formatted for the z/Linux guests? JR (Steven) Imler CA Senior Software Engineer Tel: +1 703 708 3479 Fax: +1 703 708 3267 [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Stracka, James (GTI) Sent: Friday, November 30, 2007 09:39 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Formatter forz/Linux Minidisk from CMS Does anyone have or know of a utility that will z/Linux format a minidisk from CMS? We have a requirement to format many minidisks for z/Linux usage. Many z/Linux routines flood the console if we just give the guests unformatted minidisks. We have been CMS formatting them before sending them to the z/Linux guests, where it might be days before the owners z/Linux format them. I would like to be able to z/Linux format the minidisks from CMS before giving the disks to the guests. This message w/attachments (message) may be privileged, confidential or proprietary, and if you are not an intended recipient, please notify the sender, do not use or share it and delete it. Unless specifically indicated, this message is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of any investment products or other financial product or service, an official confirmation of any transaction, or an official statement of Merrill Lynch. Subject to applicable law, Merrill Lynch may monitor, review and retain e-communications (EC) traveling through its networks/systems. 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