Backup from a second copy

You can reduce the backup window by conducting backups from a second copy of the data.

Note: If you are saving from a second copy, ensure that the contents of the copy are consistent. You may need to quiesce the application.

These techniques are as follows:

Saving from a second system

Some technologies, such as replication, make available a second copy of the data that can be used to shift the save window from the primary copy to the secondary copy. This technique can eliminate the backup window on the primary system since the backup processing is done on a second system.

System Storage FlashCopy

System Storage® provides enhanced storage capabilities. This technology uses the FlashCopy® function on an independent disk pool. A single system storage server creates a point-in-time version of the independent disk pool where the host is not aware of the copy operation. The backup system can bring the copy online to perform a save operation or other processing.

The FlashCopy technology can be managed directly using System Storage commands, through the IBM® PowerHA® SystemMirror® for i product, or through the IBM Lab Services Full System FlashCopy toolkit.