Managing space in container storage pools

After you configure IBM Spectrum Protect™ and add storage, manage your data and storage pool space effectively to ensure that it operates correctly. Use container storage pools to maximize your storage space and server performance.

1. Create a directory-container storage pool by completing the following steps:
   1. Open the Operations Center.
   2. On the Operations Center menu bar, click Storage > Storage Pools.
   3. Click +Storage Pool.
   4. Complete the steps in the Add Storage Pool wizard:
      • To use inline data deduplication, select a Directory storage pool under Container-based storage.
      • When you configure directories for the directory-container storage pool, specify the directory paths that you created for storage during system setup.
   5. After you configure the new directory-container storage pool, click Close & View Policies to update a management class and start using the storage pool.
2. For optimal performance of container storage pools, complete the following tasks:

   Task	Procedure	More information
   Protect the storage pool	When you create a directory-container storage pool in the Operations Center, you can configure storage pool protection in the schedule that you assign to the storage pool. Alternatively, use the PROTECT STGPOOL command from the source server to back up data extents in a directory-container storage pool. By protecting a storage pool, you do not use resources that replicate existing data and metadata, which improves server performance.	Protecting data in directory-container storage pools PROTECT STGPOOL (Protect data that belongs to a storage pool)
   Repair a storage pool	When a storage pool is protected, you can use the REPAIR STGPOOL command to repair damaged data extents. Use the REPAIR STGPOOL command to repair a directory-container storage pool. Restriction: If you replicate client nodes but do not protect the directory-container storage pool, you cannot repair the storage pool.	Repairing storage pools REPAIR STGPOOL (Repair a directory-container storage pool)
   Delete containers	Containers are deleted in the inventory as file data is removed or expired. Use the DEFINE STGPOOL command and specify the REUSEDELAY parameter to control the duration that deduplicated extents are associated with a directory-container storage pool after they are no longer referenced. If a container is damaged, use the AUDIT CONTAINER command to recover or remove data.	DEFINE STGPOOL (Define a directory-container storage pool) AUDIT CONTAINER (Verify the consistency of database information for a directory-container)
   Convert a primary storage pool that uses a FILE device class, a tape device class, or a virtual tape library (VTL)	You can convert an existing storage pool to a directory-container storage pool by completing the steps in Converting a primary storage pool to a container storage pool. Restriction: You cannot convert the following types of storage pool: Primary storage pools that use random-access device classes (DISK) Copy storage pools Active-data storage pools	CONVERT STGPOOL (Convert a storage pool to a container storage pool)
   Monitor container storage pool occupancy	Monitor the storage solution to identify existing and potential issues. For more information, see Monitoring storage solutions.