18
Mon, Nov
1 New Articles

Partner TechTip: When Was the Last Time You Ran the Reclaim Storage (RCLSTG) Command on Your System?

Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

Manually reclaiming storage is a hassle. Wouldn't you rather automate that process?

 

Every now and again, a System i administrator should run the Reclaim Storage (RCLSTG) command on the system. If you've got limited experience with the platform, the system, or even the command itself, then you may not be aware of what it does and how best to schedule it.

Why Should I Run a RCLSTG? 

Look at the RCLSTG as a "spring cleaning" for your system. The process checks the headers and pointers on all objects in the Auxiliary Storage Pool (ASP) and attempts to validate and reclaim orphaned, damaged, and incorrectly updated objects.

 

As the RCLSTG command also deletes unusable objects or fragments, it's especially relevant after a sudden power failure or system crash.

How Long Will It Take to Run? 

This is very difficult to estimate, but probably the best way is to check how long it ran the last time. Display the data area QUSRSYS/QRCLSTG using this command:

 

 

DSPDTAARA DTAARA(QUSRSYS/QRCLSTG)

 

032009HalcyonQRCLSTG.JPG

 

  

Figure 1: Determine how long RCLSTG ran.

 

 

Our example shows that the last RCLSTG ran from 1740 to 1911 (5:40 p.m. to 7:11 p.m.) on February 9, 2009.

What Preparation Should I Undertake?

As the RCLSTG could (albeit unlikely) impact the day-to-day running of the system, it's advisable to perform a full system backup and if possible an IPL prior to running the command.

How Do I Run a RCLSTG? 

You'll need to sign on using a QSECOFR profile or an equivalent profile before bringing the system to a restricted state (all jobs need to be ended apart from the system console). After ensuring that all users have signed off and that all batch processes are complete, a restricted state can be achieved by using this command:

 

 

 ENDSBS SBS(*ALL) OPTION(*IMMED)

 

The system is in a restricted state when you see the CPF0968 message on the QSYSOPR message queue.

 

032009HalcyonCPF0968.JPG

 

  

Figure 2: CPF0968  indicates that the system is in a restricted state.

 

Once the system is ready, issue this command:

 

RCLSTG

 

Of course, the process described is very manual and somewhat dated, so why not schedule the whole process using Halcyon's Restricted Task Manager? It's so simple!

 

Decide when you want to run it.

 

032009HalcyonRTM1.JPG 

 

 

Figure 3: Choose when to run RCLSTG.

 

Then decide how you'd like to achieve a restricted state--by automatically notifying the online users or not.

 

032009HalcyonRTM2.JPG

Figure 4: Choose how to achieve a restricted state.

 

Next, decide what you want to run--in our example, a SAVSYS, *NONSYS, SAVDLO, and a SAV followed by RCLSTG, all with built-in error recovery and Short Message Service (SMS) task-completion capabilities.

 

032009HalcyonRTM3.JPG

Figure 5: Choose what you want to run.

 

 

Post-RCLSTG Checks

1.  Informational status messages will be sent to the session running the RCLSTG, but it's good practice to check the QSYSOPR message queue for any anomalies when RCLSTG completes. 

 

2.  Any objects found to be secured by damaged or missing authorization lists are assigned to the QRCLAUTL authorization and should be reviewed by using the command DSPAUTLOBJ AUTL(QRCLAUTL).

 

3.  Check for any objects discovered that are owned by a damaged or deleted user profile or any objects that have no owners as assigned to QDFTOWN. These objects can be reviewed by using the command WRKOBJOWN USRPRF(QDFTOWN).

 

4.  Any objects that are lost from their original specified location are placed in QRCL for qsys.lib objects and /QReclaim or /QOpenSys/QReclaim for IFS objects. Review these by using the commands below:

 

DSPLIB LIB(QRCL)

WRKLNK OBJ('/QOpenSys/QReclaim')

WRKLNK OBJ('/QReclaim')

 

Automatically reclaiming storage is easy and painless with Halcyon's Restricted Task Manager. Eliminate the hassles of manual storage reclamation!

 

 

Ashley Giddings

With more than 25 years of experience in the IT industry and coming from an operational background, Ash Giddings is a technically astute Product Manager. He has worked for some of the largest data centers in Europe and in the U.S. has advised large companies on major projects to save costs and improve efficiencies. He began his career on IBM Mainframe before moving onto midrange systems such as IBM i and AIX and then Windows and Linux. His technical background has enabled him to find solutions for challenging IT problems.

 

Ash is a regular speaker at international conferences and industry events.

 

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: