Scenario: Performing a FlashCopy function

Start of changeIn this example, an administrator wants to perform a backup from the remote copy of data that is stored in an external storage unit at the backup site. Using the FlashCopy® function available with IBM® Storage Solutions, the administrator reduces his backup time considerably.End of change

Overview

Start of changeIn this example, a system administrator needs to perform a backup of data that is stored on IBM System Storage® external storage units. The administrator does not want to affect the production system by taking it offline to perform the backup. Instead, the administrator plans to perform a FlashCopy operation, which takes a point-in-time capture of the data. From this data, the administrator backs up the data to external media. The FlashCopy operation only takes a few seconds to complete, thus reducing the time for the entire backup process. End of change

Although in this example the FlashCopy feature is being used to for backup operations, it should be noted that the FlashCopy feature has multiple uses. For example, FlashCopy can be used for data warehousing to reduce query workload on production systems, or for duplicating production data to create a test environment.

Start of changeA similar scenario can also be accomplished with other system storage technologies. For more information on storage technologies that support FlashCopy, see PowerHA supported storage servers.End of change

Configuration steps

Start of changeComplete the following steps when performing a FlashCopy using the PowerHA® graphical interface:
  1. Configure the IBMSystem Storage external storage units forFlashCopy. For information about using the FlashCopy function on IBM System StorageDS8000®, see Start of changeCopy Services in the IBM System Storage DS8000 Information CenterEnd of changeLink outside information center.
  2. Configuring a FlashCopy session
  3. Make disk pool available
  4. Backing up independent disk pool
End of change
Start of changeComplete the following steps when performing a FlashCopy using other interfaces:
  1. Configure the IBMSystem Storage external storage units forFlashCopy. For information about using the FlashCopy function on IBMSystem StorageDS8000, see Start of changeCopy Services in the IBM System Storage DS8000 Information CenterEnd of changeLink outside information center.
  2. Quiescing an independent disk pool
  3. Configuring a FlashCopy session
  4. Resuming an independent disk pool
  5. Make disk pool available
  6. Backing up independent disk pool
End of change
Parent topic: Scenarios: Performing backups in a high-availability environment
Related concepts:
Start of changePowerHA supported storage serversEnd of change