Erasing data sets without access delay to other data sets

Abstract

A method, according to one embodiment, includes causing an erase operation to be performed for a first data set. The erase operation includes blocking accesses to the first data set and to a locational data structure for a first volume of a first direct-access storage device (DASD) that includes the first data set, updating a bitmap of the first DASD to indicate that data tracks of the first data set are to be erased, and providing first data to a server configured to erase the data tracks of the first data set. The erase operation further includes unblocking accesses to the locational data structure, where an entry for the first data set is removed from the locational data structure prior to the unblocking. The erase operation also includes causing the data tracks of the first data set to be erased by the server during a determined erase period.