Storage Server enables business continuity.
Press Release Summary:
TotalStorage(TM) Enterprise Storage Server(TM) (ESS) offers FlashCopy® v2, designed to minimize operational disruption. PPRC Version 2 provides options for long-distance remote copy with Asynchronous Cascading PPRC (Peer to Peer Remote Copy). Asynchronous Cascading PPRC enables creation of 3-site or 2-site long-distance PPRC configurations. Additional offerings include 72.8 Gbyte disk 8-packs with 15,000 rpm drives.
Original Press Release:
IBM TotalStorage Enterprise Storage Server Enhances Business Efficiency and Continuance with FlashCopy and PPRC Version 2
At a Glance
New features and functions for the IBM TotalStorage ESS are designed to help improve business efficiency and continuity:
o FlashCopy Version 2, with support for all previous FlashCopy functions, plus these new enhancements:
- Data Set FlashCopy
- Multiple Relationship FlashCopy
- Incremental FlashCopy
- Elimination of the LSS constraint
- FlashCopy establish time reduction
o PPRC Version 2, with support for all previous PPRC functions, plus Asynchronous Cascading PPRC for long-distance remote copy solutions.
o IBM Standby Capacity On Demand for ESS (Standby CoD), offering capacity on demand.
o Interoperability enhancements, including Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Sun Cluster 3.0, and UnitedLinux in the Intel environment.
For ordering, contact:
Your IBM representative, an IBM Business Partner, or the Americas Call Centers at 800-IBM-CALL (Reference: YE001).
Overview
IBM continues to demonstrate leadership in business continuance with FlashCopy® and Peer to Peer Remote Copy (PPRC) enhancements for the IBM TotalStorage(TM) Enterprise Storage Server(TM) (ESS).
FlashCopy Version 2 enables business continuance solutions with the delivery of new FlashCopy functions and enhancements designed to help improve business efficiency, along with FlashCopy performance improvements designed to help minimize operational disruption.
o Data Set FlashCopy provides a new level of granularity for IBM eserver zSeries(TM) and S/390® environments.
o Multiple Relationship FlashCopy allows a source to have multiple targets.
o Incremental FlashCopy delivers the capability to "refresh" a FlashCopy relationship.
o Elimination of the Logical Subsystem Constraint - A source and target relationship can span logical subsystems (LSS).
o Reduced Establish Time is designed to provide up to a 10 times reduction.
PPRC Version 2 provides new options for long-distance remote copy with the introduction of Asynchronous Cascading PPRC. Asynchronous Cascading PPRC enables the creation of three-site or two-site long-distance PPRC configurations by allowing a PPRC secondary volume to also serve as a PPRC primary volume in a another PPRC relationship.
Additionally, many ESS users will benefit from the following support enhancements:
o IBM Standby Capacity On Demand for ESS (Standby CoD), offering capacity on demand to meet the changing storage needs of rapidly growing e-businesses.
o Copy services management improvements.
o ESS Command Line Interface (ESS CLI) support for additional activities.
o Interoperability enhancements, including Microsoft(TM) Windows® Server 2003, Sun Cluster 3.0, and UnitedLinux in the Intel® environment.
o 72.8 GB disk eight-packs with 15,000 rpm drives on the Models F10 and F20.
Key Prerequisites
Refer to Hardware and Software Requirements section.
Planned Availability Date
June 27, 2003
Description
FlashCopy Version 2 Enables Business Continuance Solutions with New Functions Providing Improved Business Efficiency
FlashCopy provides a point-in-time copy capability for data on the ESS. FlashCopy is designed to create a physical point-in-time copy of the data, with minimal interruption to applications, and make it possible to access both the source and target copies almost immediately.
FlashCopy Version 2 further enables business continuance solutions with the delivery of new FlashCopy functions and enhancements designed to help improve business efficiency, along with FlashCopy performance improvements designed to help minimize operational disruption. FlashCopy Version 2 includes support for all previous FlashCopy functions, plus the following:
o Data Set FlashCopy
o Multiple Relationship FlashCopy
o Incremental FlashCopy
o Additional enhancements:
- Elimination of the LSS constraint
- Establish time improvement
- Consistency group commands
- Inband commands over PPRC link
Data Set FlashCopy allows you to perform a FlashCopy of a data set in IBM eserver zSeries and S/390 environments. This new level of granularity allows more efficient use of your ESS capacity and also helps reduce the background copy completion time since a FlashCopy no longer needs to be performed at a volume level when a copy of selected data sets within a volume is required. As with FlashCopy at the volume level, Data Set FlashCopy is fully supported by z/OS(TM) DFSMS.
With Multiple Relationship FlashCopy, a source can now have FlashCopy relationships with multiple targets simultaneously. This flexibility allows you to initiate up to 12 FlashCopy establishes on a given LUN, volume, or data set, without needing to first wait for or cause previous relationships to end.
Incremental FlashCopy provides the capability to "refresh" a LUN or volume involved in a FlashCopy relationship. With Incremental FlashCopy, the initial relationship between a source and target is maintained. When a subsequent FlashCopy establish is initiated, only the data required to bring the target current to the source's newly established point-in-time is copied. Incremental FlashCopy helps reduce the background copy completion time when only a subset of data on either the source or target has changed, giving you the option to perform a FlashCopy on a more frequent basis.
The direction of the "refresh" can also be reversed, in which case the LUN or volume previously defined as the target becomes the source for the LUN or volume previously defined as the source (and is now the target). Again, only the data required to bring the target current to the source's point-in-time is copied. If no updates were made to the target since the last "refresh," the direction change could be used to "restore" the source back to the previous point-in-time state.
Additional enhancements:
o Elimination of the LSS constraint: A FlashCopy source and target relationship can now span logical subsystems within an ESS. This new flexibility can help simplify administration and capacity planning for FlashCopy.
o Establish time improvement: Performance improvements in FlashCopy Version 2 are designed to provide up to a 10 times reduction in the time required to complete a FlashCopy establish command. With this significant reduction in establish time, operational interruption is further minimized and the benefits of FlashCopy to be extended into new application environments.
o Consistency group commands: New commands are available to facilitate the creation of FlashCopy consistency groups. With the FlashCopy Consistency Group command, the ESS will hold off I/O activity to a LUN or volume until the FlashCopy Consistency Group Created command is issued. Consistency groups can be used to help create a consistent point-in-time copy across multiple LUNs or volumes, and even across multiple ESSs.
o Inband commands over PPRC link: In a PPRC environment, commands to manage FlashCopy at the remote site can now be issued from the local or intermediate site and transmitted over the PPRC links. This new function eliminates the need for a network connection to the remote site solely for the management of FlashCopy.
Operational control for FlashCopy Version 2 functions (except Data Set FlashCopy) is provided by the ESS Specialist and Copy Services CLI. Data Set FlashCopy is controlled through z/OS DFSMS.
FlashCopy Version 2 is an optional feature to the ESS (feature numbers 86xx for the Model 800 and feature numbers 186x for the Models F20 and F10). In addition to supporting the new features and functions listed above, FlashCopy Version 2 also includes support for all previous FlashCopy functions.
Current FlashCopy customers can upgrade their existing FlashCopy license to FlashCopy Version 2. The upgrade, which is processed as a feature exchange, will be incrementally priced at the difference between the current purchase price of the existing FlashCopy license and the new FlashCopy Version 2 license.
PPRC Version 2 Delivers Asynchronous Cascading PPRC for Long-Distance Remote Copy Solutions
Peer-to-Peer Remote Copy (PPRC) is a hardware-based disaster recovery solution designed to provide real-time mirroring of logical volumes between two ESSs. PPRC Version 2 provides new options for long-distance remote copy solutions with the introduction of Asynchronous Cascading PPRC.
Asynchronous Cascading PPRC provides a long-distance remote copy solution for zSeries and open systems environments by allowing a PPRC secondary volume (involved in a PPRC synchronous relationship) to also simultaneously serve as a PPRC primary volume in a PPRC Extended Distance (PPRC-XD) relationship to the remote site. This new capability enables the creation of three-site or two-site Asynchronous Cascading PPRC configurations.
In a three-site configuration, the synchronous PPRC relationship is maintained between an ESS at the local site and an ESS at an intermediate site (located within 103 km of the local site). A PPRC-XD relationship is simultaneously maintained between the ESS at the intermediate site and an ESS at the remote site. The remote site can be located at distances well beyond 103 km from the intermediate site - with the distance typically limited only by the capabilities of the network and channel extension technologies. When used with specific operational procedures, a three-site configuration can be designed to provide a data protection solution in the event of an unplanned outage at any one of the three sites. Alternatively, operational procedures, including the creation of a "safety copy" at the remote site using FlashCopy, can be used to design a solution that provides a consistent copy of the data at the remote site in the event of a regional outage affecting both the local and intermediate site.
In a two-site configuration, the synchronous PPRC relationship is maintained between two ESSs, both of which are located at the local site, or within a single ESS. A PPRC-XD relationship is simultaneously maintained to an ESS at the remote site, which can be located at long distances from the local site. With operational procedures, including the creation of a "safety copy" at the remote site using FlashCopy, solutions can be designed providing a consistent copy of the data at the remote site in the event of an outage at the local site.
Operational control for PPRC Version 2 is provided by the ESS Specialist and Copy Services CLI.
For zSeries and S/390 environments, operational control for zSeries and S/390 volumes involved in PPRC configurations can be managed by IBM's Geographically Dispersed Parallel Sysplex(TM) (GDPS(TM)) offering. GDPS, an industry-leading e-business availability solution available through IBM Global Services, is a multi-site solution designed to provide the capability to manage remote copy configurations and storage, automate Parallel Sysplex® operational tasks, and perform failure recovery - from a single point of control.
PPRC Version 2 is an optional feature to the ESS (feature numbers 85xx for the Model 800 and feature numbers 185x for the Models F20 and F10). In addition to supporting Asynchronous Cascading PPRC configurations, PPRC Version 2 also includes support for all previous PPRC functions, including synchronous PPRC and PPRC-XD.
Current PPRC customers can upgrade their existing PPRC license to PPRC Version 2. The upgrade, which is processed as a feature exchange, will be incrementally priced at the difference between the current purchase price of the existing PPRC license and the new PPRC Version 2 license.
IBM Standby Capacity On Demand for ESS Delivers Storage On Demand
IBM Standby Capacity On Demand for ESS (Standby CoD) provides "standby" storage for the ESS and allows you to access the extra storage capacity whenever the need arises. With Standby CoD, IBM will install up to six Standby CoD Disk Eight-Packs in your ESS for a nominal charge. At any time, you can logically configure your Standby CoD for use - a nondisruptive activity that does not require intervention from IBM. Upon logical configuration, you will be charged for the capacity.
Standby CoD replaces A Step Ahead and includes the following enhancements:
o An ESS can have up to six Standby CoD Disk Eight-Packs.
o Standby CoD Disk Eight-Packs can be installed as a field upgrade into existing Models 800 and F20.
o The Standby CoD Disk Eight-Pack convenience charge and annual renewal charge have been reduced.
IBM offers capacity on demand solutions that are designed to meet the changing storage needs of rapidly growing e-businesses. Standby CoD is designed to provide you with the ability to tap into additional ESS storage and is particularly attractive if you have rapid or unpredictable growth, or if you simply want the knowledge that the storage will be there when you need it.
Contact your IBM sales representative or Business Partner to obtain additional information regarding Standby CoD terms and conditions.
ESS Copy Services Management Enhancements
The ESS Copy Service Server, which resides on an ESS cluster, manages copy services functions among the ESSs within its domain. This function is enhanced with support for the following:
o Improved availability with the option to configure dual active copy services servers, thereby allowing either server to initiate tasks or monitor domain status.
o Customer capability to reconfigure the domain without CE assistance.
o Domain-wide reset capability.
Additionally, the Volumes panel on the ESS Specialist is enhanced with new icons designed to help improve the recognition of copy services relationship types and states.
ESS Command Line Interface (CLI) Enhancements
The ESS CLI, designed to help automate routine logical configuration and storage management tasks, is enhanced with support to perform additional functions that previously could be performed only using the ESS Specialist. New activities include:
o Volume space management (create and delete)
o User management (list, create, and delete)
o Remote service management (list, create, and delete)
o List problems notification
o List performance counters
o Creation of CKD volumes
o Deletion of PAVs
The ESS CLI is provided with the ESS at no additional charge. The ESS CLI client is available for the AIX®, HP-UX, Linux(TM), Solaris, and Windows 2000 operating system environments.
ESS Interoperability Enhancements
o The extensive interoperability of the ESS has been expanded to include 32-bit Fibre Channel attachment support for Microsoft Windows Server 2003. This interoperability allows an ESS to connect to clustered and nonclustered Windows servers using switched fabric topology through supported host bus adapters and supported SAN Switches.
o The ESS interoperability has been extended to include support for Sun Cluster 3.0 Fibre Channel attachment through Sun Servers with Solaris operating environments.
o The ESS is interoperable with UnitedLinux distributions of the Linux operating system running in the Intel environments.
Refer to the ESS Interoperability Matrix for details on all of these enhancements:
http://ibm.com/storage/hardsoft/products/ess/supserver.htm
Feature Exchange
PPRC and FlashCopy Version 2: Upgrades to a higher capacity license (a numerically higher feature number) are processed using a feature exchange. The upgrade will be priced as the delta between the current purchase price of the features removed and added.
Upgrades from FlashCopy and PPRC Version 1 to FlashCopy and PPRC Version 2 are also processed as a feature exchange. The feature exchange to Version 2 can be made to either the same or a higher capacity level. The upgrade will be priced as the delta between the current purchase price of the features removed and added.
o PPRC Version 1 #182x features can be exchanged for PPRC Version 2 #185x features.
o PPRC Version 1 #82xx features can be exchanged for PPRC Version 2 #85xx features.
o FlashCopy Version 1 #183x features can be exchanged for FlashCopy Version 2 #186x features.
o FlashCopy Version 1 #83xx features can be exchanged for FlashCopy Version 2 #86xx features.
A feature exchange to a lower capacity level (a numerically lower feature number) is not supported, with the following exception:
o Within a given advanced function type, #8x99 (0 TB (disable)) feature can be exchanged for any #8xxx feature. The feature exchange must be processed against both the ESS Model 800 8xxx feature number and ESS Function Authorization 8xxx feature number.
Preview
IBM plans to enhance PPRC Version 2 to support the use of Fibre Channel (FCP) as the communications link between the PPRC primary and PPRC secondary machine. This added flexibility is intended to allow users to better leverage and exploit their Fibre Channel infrastructure, availability, and capacity. This support is planned for availability on the ESS Model 800.
IBM also plans to enhance the ESS API with support for copy services configuration and use activities. The ESS API is designed to be compatible with the Storage Management Initiative Specification (SMIS), as defined by the Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA). These enhancements demonstrate IBM's continued support for Common Information Model (CIM) and Web Based Enterprise Management (WBEM) technologies as the common interface for the discovery and management of resources in a multi-vendor storage area network.
The delivery of these enhancements is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2003.
All statements regarding IBM's plans, directions, and intent are to change or withdrawal without notice.
Reference Information
Refer to:
o Hardware Announcement 103-037 , dated February 17, 2003, IBM TotalStorage Enterprise Storage Server Delivers "Bluefin" Support (SNIA SMIS) with the ESS API, and enhances Linux Support and Interoperability
o Hardware Announcement 102-279 , dated October 22, 2002, IBM TotalStorage Enterprise Storage Server Offers New Price/Performance Options with 145.6 GB Drives and Simplified Storage Administration with CLI
