Installing VM Recovery Manager DR

After you plan the details about the VM Recovery Manager DR implementation, you can install the VM Recovery Manager DR software. The VM Recovery Manager DR software contains the KSYS package that you must install on a logical partition in the backup site to manage the disaster recovery environment. The VM Recovery Manager DR solution uses other subsystems such as HMC, VIOS, and storage controllers that must exist in your current environment. You must understand concepts and planning information about the VM Recovery Manager DR solution before you install the VM Recovery Manager DR solution.

The VM Recovery Manager DR disaster recovery is enabled by using the following subsystems:

KSYS or controller system: The KSYS software is installed in an AIX® LPAR. The KSYS monitors the entire environment and enables disaster recovery operations, if required.
HMCs: HMCs in the active site and the backup site manage the IBM® Power Systems servers.
VIOS partitions: Various VIOS partitions within hosts of the active site and the backup site virtualize and manage storage resources for the hosts' virtual machines.
Storage controllers: Storage systems in the active site and the backup site enable storage for the various virtual machines and the replication between the sites.

The following figure shows the deployment diagram of the VM Recovery Manager DR solution:

Figure 1. VM Recovery Manager DR deployment diagram

For more information about the installation and configuration of the HMC, VIOS, and storage subsystems, refer to the documentation of each of the subsystems.

The following section explains the packaging information and installation for the KSYS software. The KSYS software can be installed in any AIX LPAR.

Note: It is a best practice to dedicate this LPAR for KSYS purposes only. The LPAR, in which the KSYS software must be installed, must run IBM AIX 7.2 with Technology Level 1 Service Pack 1 (7200-01-01), or later.

When you install the KSYS software on a logical partition, the logical partition is referred to as the KSYS node that controls the entire environment for disaster recovery. To support disaster recovery for the VM Recovery Manager DR solution, the KSYS handles discovery, monitoring, notification, recovery, and verification aspects that are associated with the disaster recovery.