The dambkup command backs up a DAM file. A DAM file can be backed up in the online or offline mode. This is referred to as online backup.

The offline-mode backup procedure is as follows:

1. Execute the damhold command to logically shut down a logical file.
2. Execute the damrm command to remove the logically shut-down logical file from the online system.
3. Execute the dambkup command with its -o option not specified to back up the DAM file.

Execute the dambkup command with the -o option to perform online backup. Online backup does not require a DAM file to be shut down logically (by the damhold command) or removed from the online system (by the damrm command).

Recovering the DAM file by using an online backed-up file reduces the number of unload journal files that are used at recovery. This means a shorter time required for recovery of the DAM file than recovery by using a file backed up with the -o option not specified.

DAM files must always be backed up before an application is started.

A file or standard output can be specified for the output destination of backup. To output to the file, specify the file name in the dambkup command. To output to the standard output, specify the -s option in the dambkup command.

To restore a backup file, the damrstr command is used.

A file or a standard input can be specified for the restoration input source. To input backup data from the file, specify the file name in the damrstr command. To input backup data from the standard input, specify the -s option in the damrstr command.