IBM storage systems requirements

Host and volume planning

Before you begin configuring Db2 Mirror, you must define the storage hosts and assign volumes to the hosts to be used by the setup copy node.

You must have the same number of storage hosts, volumes, and the same size volumes defined for the setup source node and setup copy node. Each storage host for the setup source node needs a corresponding storage host for the setup copy node with the same number of volumes. If using multiple storage hosts per node, all the storage hosts for a node must be on the same storage server.

The Db2 Mirror storage cloning process pairs storage volumes between the setup source and setup copy nodes. Only volumes with the same size and type can be paired.

SYSBAS

The following figure shows a SYSBAS storage configuration. The storage host and volumes for SYSBAS must be predefined for the setup copy node before beginning to configure Db2 Mirror. The setup source and setup copy nodes must have the same number and sizes of disks in SYSBAS.

Database independent auxiliary storage pools (IASPs)

The following figure shows an IASP storage configuration. The storage host and volumes for any database IASPs must be predefined for the setup copy node before beginning to add a database IASP to Db2 Mirror.

Native or Virtual I/O Server (VIOS) attachment

The Db2 Mirror storage cloning process for IBM System Storage DS8000 or IBM Storage Virtualize requires Fibre Channel adapters with native attachment or attachment with VIOS N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV).

Space efficient volumes

For IBM System Storage DS8000, the volumes cannot be space-efficient.

Remote copy cloning requirements

If you plan to perform the remote copy during a planned outage window, you need to make sure that your bandwidth between storage systems is sufficient to complete the remote copy during that period of time. The Db2 Mirror cloning process does not provide the capability to pause the cloning and then resume it later. Thus, you need to plan enough time for the remote copy to complete.

Zoning is how Storage Area Networks (SANs) keep devices isolated from each other. The storage devices must be correctly zoned so the Db2 Mirror cloning process can perform the remote copy.

For IBM System Storage DS8000, the Remote Mirror and Copy paths and links between storage systems must be manually created before beginning to configure Db2 Mirror.

For IBM Storage Virtualize, the Copy Services partnership between storage systems must be manually created before beginning to configure Db2 Mirror.

IBM System Storage DS8000 requirements

DS8000 firmware V9.2.0 or higher is required.

The storage server user ID must have the user role of Administrator or Copy Services operator.

IBM Copy Services Manager (CSM)

To perform remote copy for IBM System Storage DS8000, CSM is required by Db2 Mirror to manage Copy Services functions.

CSM can run on a DS8000 or on a standalone server. The CSM version must be 6.3.0 or higher.

The CSM user ID must have access level of Administrator.

Before beginning to configure Db2 Mirror, CSM must be configured to manage both the setup source and setup copy storage systems. You also can optionally configure a standby CSM server.

IBM Storage Virtualize requirements

Db2 Mirror communicates with IBM Storage Virtualize storage systems using Secure Shell (SSH) to manage Copy Services functions.

The storage server user ID must have the user role of Administrator.

For details on how to create an SSH key pair, see Creating an SSH key file for accessing IBM Storage Virtualize storage.

Attach the SSH public key to a user on the IBM Storage Virtualize storage system. The corresponding private key file must be uploaded to the managing node so it can be used during Db2 Mirror configuration.