backup-and-recovery

IBM i Backup & Recovery

Query and analyze backup resources on IBM i using SQL services from QSYS2.

Available Tools

The ibmi CLI is the primary tool for executing backup queries. Set SKILL_DIR to this skill's installed location (the directory containing this SKILL.md file):

# SKILL_DIR = directory containing this SKILL.md
# Examples: ./skills/backup-and-recovery, ~/.claude/skills/backup-and-recovery

ibmi tools --tools "$SKILL_DIR/tools/" --toolset backup_and_recovery_default
ibmi tool get_save_file_info --tools "$SKILL_DIR/tools/"
ibmi sql "SELECT * FROM QSYS2.SAVE_FILE_INFO FETCH FIRST 10 ROWS ONLY"

Service Selection Guide

Save File Analysis

• QSYS2.SAVE_FILE_INFO — Save file metadata (timestamps, object counts, commands used)
• QSYS2.SAVE_FILE_OBJECTS (view) — Broad search across all save files for specific objects
• QSYS2.SAVE_FILE_OBJECTS (table function) — Targeted inspection of a specific save file

Media Hardware

• QSYS2.MEDIA_LIBRARY_INFO — Tape library device inventory and status
• QSYS2.TAPE_CARTRIDGE_INFO — Tape cartridge inventory, status, and location

Key Capabilities

Backup Verification

• List save files with timestamps, object counts, and save commands
• Filter by save file library or source library
• Verify backup completeness and timing

Object Recovery

• Search all save files for a specific object by name
• Find the most recent save containing a given object
• Inspect individual save file contents with type filtering

Media Management

• Check tape library device status (varied on/off)
• Inventory tape cartridges by status, location, or volume ID
• Verify media hardware availability before backup operations

Common Use Cases

1. Backup Audit

List recent save files to verify backup schedule compliance

2. Object Recovery Search

Find which save file contains a specific object for restore

3. Save File Inspection

List all objects in a specific save file before restoring

4. Tape Drive Status

Check tape library devices before starting a backup job

5. Cartridge Inventory

List available tape cartridges and their current status

CL Command Migration

CL Command	SQL Service
DSPSAVF	SAVE_FILE_OBJECTS (table function)
WRKTAP	TAPE_CARTRIDGE_INFO
WRKMLBRM	MEDIA_LIBRARY_INFO

Quick Examples

List recent save files

Always scope by SAVE_FILE_LIBRARY — the unfiltered view scans every save file on the system and will time out.

SELECT SAVE_FILE_LIBRARY, SAVE_FILE, SAVE_TIMESTAMP, OBJECTS_SAVED, LIBRARY_NAME
  FROM QSYS2.SAVE_FILE_INFO
  WHERE SAVE_FILE_LIBRARY = 'QGPL'
  ORDER BY SAVE_TIMESTAMP DESC
  FETCH FIRST 20 ROWS ONLY;

Find a saved object

Narrow to a specific save file library to avoid a full-system scan.

SELECT SAVE_FILE_LIBRARY, SAVE_FILE, OBJECT_NAME, SAVE_TIMESTAMP
  FROM QSYS2.SAVE_FILE_OBJECTS
  WHERE SAVE_FILE_LIBRARY = 'QGPL'
    AND OBJECT_NAME = 'MYFILE'
  ORDER BY SAVE_TIMESTAMP DESC;

Check tape drive status

SELECT DEVICE_NAME, DEVICE_STATUS, DEVICE_TYPE, DEVICE_MODEL,
       RESOURCE_NAME, RESOURCE_STATUS, DEVICE_DESCRIPTION
  FROM QSYS2.MEDIA_LIBRARY_INFO
  ORDER BY DEVICE_NAME;

Pre-built Tools

The tools/backup-and-recovery.yaml file provides 5 ready-to-use tools:

Tool	Description
get_save_file_info	Save file metadata with timestamps and object counts
get_save_file_objects_view	Broad search across all save files
get_save_file_objects_detail	Targeted save file content inspection
get_media_library_info	Tape library device inventory
get_tape_cartridge_info	Tape cartridge status and location

ibmi tool <tool_name> --tools "$SKILL_DIR/tools/"          # Execute
ibmi tool <tool_name> --tools "$SKILL_DIR/tools/" --dry-run # Preview SQL
ibmi tools show <tool_name> --tools "$SKILL_DIR/tools/"     # View details

Reference Documentation

• Backup Services Catalog — All BACKUP AND RECOVERY services
• Backup Examples — Working SQL examples
• IBM i Services - Backup — IBM documentation