Db2 Advanced Copy Services (ACS)

Db2 Advanced Copy Services (ACS) enables you to use the fast copying technology of a storage device to perform the data copying part of backup and restore operations.

In a traditional backup or restore operation, the database manager copies data to or from disk or a storage device using operating system calls. Being able to use the storage device to perform the data copying makes the backup and restore operations much faster. A backup operation that uses Db2 ACS is called a snapshot backup.

To perform snapshot backup and restore operations, you need one of two things:
  • A Db2 ACS API driver for your storage device. For a list of supported storage hardware for the integrated driver, refer to this tech note.
  • For storage devices that are not supported, implement a custom script that allows your storage device to perform snapshot operations.

Db2 ACS interfaces with a storage solution, such as IBM Spectrum Protect Snapshot. For detailed instructions on the setup and usage of IBM Spectrum Protect Snapshot, please refer to this document: IBM Spectrum Protect Snapshot

Note: Tivoli® Storage FlashCopy® Manager is a library that provides ACS APIs and was shipped as part of the Db2 install package and then as a separate downloadable package. However, since version 11.1, Tivoli® Storage FlashCopy® Manager is no longer shipped as part of the Db2 install package. If Tivoli® Storage FlashCopy® Manager is needed, refer to IBM Spectrum Protect Snapshot to get it.