gtpd1m11Database Reference

Restart Procedures

When VFA is fully operational and delay file mode records have been defined as VFA candidates, the VFA buffers can contain updated records that have not been filed to disk any time the TPF system is in NORM state. If a serious hardware or software error occurs, there is the potential that updated records can be lost.

For this reason, if you re-IPL the TPF system from NORM state, VFA restart determines if the VFA buffers are still valid and, if so, the updated buffers are immediately filed to DASD. The TPF system determines if VFA is valid since the last IPL. If VFA is valid, the TPF system does not clear the VFA area or allow a redefinition of the TPF system until VFA has been cleared. The TPF system only allows an IPL with the same user configuration. This allows VFA restart to file VFA buffers. Therefore, ensure that the system operator does not clear main storage before re-IPLing.

Note:
An automatic re-IPL does not clear VFA storage.

If a CPU changeover is being considered following a serious error, consideration must be given to the updated VFA buffers that cannot be recovered if the TPF system is re-IPLed on a different CPU. Before changing CPUs, it may be worthwhile to try a re-IPL on the same CPU so the updated VFA buffers are filed.