Tom,
"BFS" volumes are created by a storage pool that utilizes the "file"device type.

If you take a look at your defined device classes (query devcl f=d) note the 
device class(es) that list a Device Type of FILE and/or DISK.

Next query your storage (query stg) which will list all of the defined storage 
pools and device class they use. 

The storage pools using a device class with the type "FILE" are generating the 
BFS files.
The ones listed with a device class of "DISK" are using the static volumes 
(without the BFS extension).

I strongly urge that you visit the IBM Information Center, or similar doco, for 
your version of TSM Server to get better understanding of TSM storage .

It is safe to say that the information in these volumes is backup/archive data 
and I would not suggest removing them.


-Rick Adamson
904.783.5264


-----Original Message-----
From: ADSM: Dist Stor Manager [mailto:ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU] On Behalf Of 
Tom Taylor
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 1:20 PM
To: ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
Subject: [ADSM-L] bfs files

Quick question.


I have TSM 6.3.4 running on Windows server 2008 R2


This is coming from an inexperienced user so bear with me...


I have a primary storage pool spread over two disks in the TSM server. The 
disks in the server are E: and F: (I don't know if this matters)


In my storage pool I have many volumes 25 GB in size. I always name them "VOL" 
when I create new ones and the system appends more to the end to make the names 
unique.
Everything seems to be functioning normally but I took a look at the storage 
pool volumes and I notive I have about 10 volumes I have never seen before that 
have names of the format "00000100.BFS".
I did not create these volumes and I don't know why they are there. I also 
notice that they end in ".BFS" whereas the volumes I created all have to file 
extension. What really bothers me is these mystery volumes range in size from 
100 to 500 GB in size! Im afraid the backup will fail because the disk doesnt 
have room for this. I also notice that while the
25 GB volumes I create all have static sizes these mystery volumes (one of htem 
currently) are actually growing.



Can anyone tell me...

A: is this normal?

B: can I get rid of these volumes somehow so the system keeps using my created 
25GB volumes?

C: why is one of these volumes growing in size whereas my volumes are static in 
size?


any other information would be appreciated.





Thanks!








Thomas Taylor
System Administrator
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers
Cell (443)-974-5768