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Enabling Safeguard function for a volume group using C-SPOC

The Safeguarded Copy function supports the ability to create cuber-resilient, point-in-time copies of volumes that cannot be changed or deleted by user errors, malicious actions, or ransomware attacks.

The PowerHA® SystemMirror® 7.2.8 integrates with IBM® Copy Services Manager (CSM) to provide automated backup copies and data recovery. The PowerHA SystemMirror 7.2.8 supports IBM Copy Services Manager as an external scheduling application. IBM Copy Services Manager coordinates and automates Safeguarded Copy function across multiple systems. For more information see, Safeguarded Copy function - IBM Documentation.

Note: The Safeguarded Copy function is available with PowerHA storage 8.4.2 or later, and is not supported for the IBM® FlashSystem 5015, IBM FlashSystem® 5035, FlashSystem 5010, FlashSystem 5030, Storwize® V5010E, Storwize V5030E, Storwize V7000 Gen2, and Storwize V7000 Gen2+ models.

Starting with PowerHA SystemMirror 7.2.8, support for management of Safeguard Copy functions is provided. By using PowerHA SystemMirror, you can enable an AIX® volume group for safeguard snapshots function by assigning a safeguard policy.

Before you enable the safeguard function for an AIX volume group, you must complete the following requirements.

  • Configure a PowerHA SystemMirror cluster and create a volume group by using the C-SPOC utility.
  • Ensure that the disks of volume group are mapped to a SVC storage device that supports the safeguard function.
  • Configure a safeguard child pool inside the storage device as a safeguard backup location for the safeguard copies or snapshots.
  • Configure a user in the SVC storage and enable password-less communication with the hosts to perform safeguard operations by using the CLI commands.

To enable the safeguard function for a volume group, complete the following steps by using the SMIT interface:

  1. From the command line, enter smit cl_admin.
  2. In SMIT, select Storage > Volume Groups > Safeguard a Volume Group and press Enter. The Safeguard a Volume Group panel is displayed.
Limitations

In PowerHA SystemMirror, the functionalities are not implemented as it requires additional user privileges. You must perform these functions manually by using storage Security admin privileges.
  • Disable safeguard
  • Restoring safeguard copy
  • Unassign a policy
  • Extend VG and Shrink VG
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