Catalog Locate for Data Set Integrity Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computing environments, data integrity and recovery processes are challenging due to the lack of effective mechanisms to verify the correct cataloging of data sets following a failure or data restoration, leading to uncertainties about the completeness and accuracy of recovered data.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for failure recovery that involves performing a catalog locate on each data set using a base catalog structure, identifying and re-cataloging incorrect entries, and utilizing volume table of contents and VSAM volume data set entries to ensure data integrity, with attempts to restore volumes if they are missing or offline, leveraging existing backup recovery products for verification and synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data restoration is performed after failure, then data availability is improved, but data integrity cannot be verified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a verification mechanism that compares catalog information against actual volume data set entries (VTOC/VVDS) to provide feedback on restoration completeness. This feedback loop allows the system to identify and report any discrepancies between the cataloged data sets and the actual restored data, enabling verification of data integrity after restoration operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs catalog verification as a preliminary action immediately following data restoration, before applications attempt to use the restored data. By proactively verifying catalog accuracy and data set presence right after restoration, the system prevents subsequent application failures and ensures data integrity is established before use.
2Measurement precision
If catalog verification is performed manually by executing applications, then data integrity can be verified, but time is lost and data cannot be salvaged in most cases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent automates catalog verification to occur as a preliminary action immediately after restoration, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual application execution. The system automatically compares catalog entries against volume data set entries and generates verification reports, providing accurate data integrity assessment without requiring application-level testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the catalog verification process to be self-service, where the system automatically performs verification without requiring user intervention or application execution. The verification mechanism autonomously compares catalog information with actual volume data, generates reports on restoration completeness, and identifies any discrepancies without human involvement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If catalog information is not analyzed with indexed data, then organizational benefits are lost, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional verification system that simultaneously performs catalog accuracy verification, data set presence confirmation, and restoration completeness assessment. By consolidating these verification functions into a single automated process that leverages existing catalog and volume data structures, the system achieves comprehensive verification without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments for failure recovery in a computing environment following a data restoration are provided. A catalog locate is performed for each of a plurality of data sets on a base catalog structure (BCS), identifying a plurality of BCS entries. If a first BCS entry is cataloged incorrectly, the first BCS entry is designated to be re-cataloged. The plurality of BCS entries is compared with a plurality of volume table of contents and a plurality of VSAM volume data set (VTOC/VVDS) entries. If a second BCS entry found in the plurality of BCS entries is not found in the plurality of VTOC/VVDS entries, and the second BCS entry indicates that a data set associated with the second BCS entry is located on a volume, an attempt is made to vary on the volume. If the volume cannot be varied on, a request is created to restore the volume.