IBM Copy Services Manager

IBM® Copy Services Manager controls Copy Services in storage environments. Copy Services are features that are used by storage systems, such as DS8000, to configure, manage, and monitor data-copy functions.

IBM Copy Services Manager provides both a graphical interface and command line that you can use for configuring and managing Copy Services functions across storage units. Copy Services include the point-in-time function – IBM FlashCopy and Safeguarded Copy, and the remote mirror and copy functions – Metro Mirror, Global Mirror, and Metro Global Mirror. Copy Services Manager can automate the administration and configuration of these services; and monitor and manage copy sessions.

You can use Copy Services Manager to complete the following data replication tasks and help reduce the downtime of critical applications:
  • Plan for replication when you are provisioning storage
  • Keep data on multiple related volumes consistent across storage systems for a planned or unplanned outage
  • Monitor and track replication operations
  • Automate the mapping of source volumes to target volumes

Starting with DS8000 Version 8.1, Copy Services Manager also comes preinstalled on the Hardware Management Console (HMC). Therefore, you can enable the Copy Services Manager software that is already on the hardware system. Doing so results in less setup time; and eliminates the need to maintain a separate server for Copy Services functions.

You can also use Copy Services Manager to connect to an LDAP repository for remote authentication. For more information, see Enabling remote authentication. You can use the command line to configure Copy Services Manager for remote authentication, as detailed in Enabling remote authentication through the DS CLI.

For more information, see the Copy Services Manager online product documentation at http://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSESK4/csm_kcwelcome.html. The "What's new" topic provides details on the features added for each version of Copy Services Manager that can be used by DS8000, including HyperSwap for multi-target sessions, and incremental FlashCopy support.