Converting PC Files to Mainframe tapes:

Disc Interchange can also convert data from a PC format to a mainframe tape format. The specific information we need for this is discussed below. You may also wish to read Converting IBM Mainframe tapes to PCs for background information on mainframe tape formats, or review our Tech-Talk section for additional articles.

Issues When Converting To Mainframe Tapes:

We need information about the PC files you are sending us. What we need depends on the type of file, but we need enough information to understand the file structure. For simple fixed-length files of all character fields, this may only be the record length. If you are sending us delimited data, we need to know the field sequence, and the type and length of each field.

Please provide a layout whenever possible, even for simple files. If DISC will be converting any field types (such as ASCII numeric to EBCDIC comp-3), we will need a complete file layout.

Also, please include a record count for the file(s) if possible, as a cross check. DISC always performs appropriate checks and scans of your files before writing to tape, in an attempt to catch any problems.

What We Need to Know About the Mainframe Tape:

We will need the following tape specifications in order to create the correct tape:

Type of media: 9-track, 3480, etc.

Density / format / number of tracks (1)

EBCDIC or ASCII

Unlabeled or Labeled

Label type (IBM or ANSI) if a labeled tape

File type, FB or VB (Specify FB whenever possible)

Record size of your data

Preferred block size, or upper limit, if specified (2)

Required DSN (file name) of tape file, if any (3)

Notes:
1. This varies for different media:
    9-track: Density, usually 1600 or 6250
    3480: 18 or 36 track, uncompressed or compressed
    3570: B or C
    3590: B, E, or H
    LTO, DLT, QIC, 4mm, & 8mm: Please tell us which model or format.
2. If a preferred block size is not stated, we will choose a reasonable size, never more than 32K.
3. We will derive the DSN from the disk file name if you don't specify a DSN.

Other Issues:

If we are converting your ASCII file to EBCDIC, you should try to transfer all numeric data as character fields - not as binary. Binary fields in an EBCDIC file are generally not the same as binary fields in an ASCII file. If you need to create binary fields in an EBCDIC file, contact us about programming the conversion.
We can easily remove CR-LF codes from the end of fixed length PC records. (Mainframe tapes never contain record delimiters).
If your file is large, it's preferable to use a high density mainframe tape to minimize the number of tapes. When necessary DISC will split large data files across multiple tapes, creating a multivolume set.

Disc Interchange Service Company, Inc.
Media Conversion Specialists
15 Stony Brook Road
Westford, MA 01886
(978) 692-0050

Converting PC Files to Mainframe tapes:

Issues When Converting To Mainframe Tapes:

What We Need to Know About the Mainframe Tape:

Other Issues:

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