IBM System Storage DS8000 Storage Manager

IBM System Storage DS8000 Storage Manager

The IBM System Storage DS8000 Storage Manager is an interface that is used to perform logical configurations and copy services management functions against a DS8000.

The DS8000 Storage Manager is installed using a graphical or unattended (silent) mode for the Windows and Linux operating systems. It can be accessed using a Web browser from any location that has network access. After you have installed the DS8000 Storage Manager, the following results occur:

• Activation of the IBM System Storage DS Storage Manager server and the IBM System Storage DS Network Interface server. These servers are set to automatic startup so that when you start your computer these servers are automatically activated.
• Activation of the IBM System Storage DS8000 Storage Manager application which includes the real-time and simulated manager applications. These applications can both be installed on the same machine and are integrated into the user interface. They are designed to help you create and manage the physical and logical configurations of your storage complexes, storage units, and storage images. Plus, the real-time manager application provides you the opportunity to use the Copy Services features you have purchased.

  Real-time manager

  This application provides logical configuration and Copy Services features to a network attached DS8000.

  Simulated manager

  This application provides the ability to create or modify logical configurations when disconnected from the network. After creating the configuration, you can save it and then apply it to a network attached DS8000 at a later time.

The following lists provide some of the activities that are available when using the simulated or real-time applications:

Simulated application

• Create a simulated instance of a physical storage unit
• Construct a valid logical configuration on new storage unit instances
• Apply a logical configuration scheme to existing storage units
• Import an econfig file so that the physical configuration matches your purchase
• Print configuration reports

Notes: Being able to import an econfig file and creating a logical configuration prior to the hardware arrival, saves you time on installation day.

Real-time application

• Manage physical and logical configurations from existing storage complexes, storage units, and storage images over the network
• Construct and apply valid logical configuration actions on new or fully deconfigured storage units at the time each action is initiated
• Complete and apply valid logical configuration actions on existing storage complexes, storage units, and storage images (reconfiguration) at the time each action is initiated.
• Activate and use the Copy Services features you have purchased
• Print configuration reports.

Copy Services

Copy Services is a collection of functions that provide disaster recovery, data migration, and data duplication functions. Copy Services runs on the IBM System Storage DS8000 storage unit and supports open systems and zSeries^(R) environments. Many design characteristics of the DS8000 and data copying and mirroring capabilities of Copy Services features contribute to the protection of your data, 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

The following types of Copy Services functions can be managed through a command-line interface (IBM System Storage DS CLI) and a Web-based interface (IBM System Storage DS8000 Storage Manager)

Point-in-time copy

The point-in-time copy feature, which includes FlashCopy^(R), enables you to create full volume copies of data using source and target volumes that span logical subsystems within a single storage unit. After the FlashCopy function completes, you can immediately access both the source and target copies.

Remote Mirror and Copy

The remote mirror and copy feature copies data between volumes on two or more storage units. When your host system performs input/output operations, the source volume is copied or mirrored to the target volume automatically. After you create a remote mirror and copy relationship between a source volume and a target volume, the target volume continues to be updated with changes from the source volume until you remove the relationship between the volumes.

Notes:

1. After the installation of the DS Storage Manager, you must obtain and enter the license activation keys for Copy Services features before you can begin using them. This can be done using the DS8000 Storage Manager or the DS CLI.
2. Only FlashCopy Version 2 and PPRC Version 2 licenses that are available on the Enterprise Storage Server are offered on the DS8000.