FlashCopy

The FlashCopy® function provides a point-in-time copy of data for backup and recovery operations. FlashCopy creates a Time 0 (T0) copy of a volume or set of tracks. The T0 copy is current with the volume or set of tracks at the time that the action is initiated. Subsequent updates to the original volume or set of tracks are not reflected in the T0 copy.

In contrast to FlashCopy Version 1, FlashCopy Version 2 allows you to copy individual tracks and create multiple relationships. The target tracks for a FlashCopy V2 request can be on the same volume as the source, or any other volume within the same ESS subsystem. Also, multiple source copies can be made to different target locations. Restrictions on source and target volumes being in the same logical subsystem have been lifted. Target tracks do not need to be on a different volume and have the same track addresses as the source tracks. This allows you to copy only critical data instead of an entire volume, and it allows the copies from multiple source volumes to share the same target volume.

FlashCopy supports both IBM Z-attached (CKD) devices and Open System (FB) devices.

For additional information about FlashCopy, refer to What is FlashCopy?.