ETERNUS SF AdvancedCopy Manager Operator's Guide 13.0 -AIX-

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Chapter 1 Overview of AdvancedCopy Manager

This chapter describes the overview of AdvancedCopy Manager.

1.1 What is AdvancedCopy Manager? 

AdvancedCopy Manager is a product that realizes storage management in an open system and provides the following solutions.

1.1.1 High-speed backup (24-hour basis) 

A hardware function [Advanced Copy Function (OPC,EC)] of Fujitsu Storage Systems ETERNUS is used to back up data fast. The advanced copy function, being a fast data copy function independent of a data size, can always maintain fixed backup time even if the data to be backed up increases. Thus, the backup time does not increase even if the data amount increases.

This function can drastically reduce the time in which work must be stopped to perform backup.

With the remote copy function in the ETERNUS storage system, backup operations to disk array devices at remote locations is also possible.

When using a shell script for DBMS linkage as explained below, high-speed copying without stopping transactions is possible.

• Oracle

• DB2

If work uses a database other than Oracle/DB2 or uses a general file system, the time that work is interrupted is still significantly reduced.

1.1.2 High-speed replication 

The hardware function (advanced copy function [OPC/EC]) of the Fujitsu Storage Systems ETERNUS enables data to be used for purposes other than the original purpose and replicated data (copy) to be collected as a protection against data corruption.

With the remote copy function in ETERNUS storage system, copying operations to disk array devices at remote locations is also possible.

When using a shell script for DBMS linkage as explained below, high-speed copying without stopping transactions is possible.

• Oralce

• DB2

1.1.3 Non-stopped operating backup [database] 

By using AdvancedCopy Manager, the Oracle or DB2 database can be backed up without stopping the application. Please refer to an "Sample Shell script for Backup Operations" about the backup method for the Oracle or DB2.

As an example for copying Oracle databases, the script created for replication is shown in "Sample Shell Script for Backup Operations."

1.2 Product Configuration of AdvancedCopy Manager 

1.2.1 Function system 

AIX version AdvancedCopy Manager consists of the following functions:

[Table 1.1 Functions]

The AdvancedCopy Manager server type depends on the operating environment.

• Storage server

  The Storage server is a server which executes the backup operation and the replication operation that AdvancedCopy Manager offers. The Agent of AdvancedCopy Manager is installed on the storage server. If a storage server is also to be used as the storage management server then the Manager, as well as the Agent, will need to be installed. The Agent installation is included as part of the Manager installation.

• Storage management server

  The Storage management server manages the Storage servers and only one Storage management server can be set in the system.

  The Manager of AdvancedCopy Manager is installed on the Storage management server.

Three different operating environments for the AdvancedCopy Manager are shown below:

• When only one Storage server is installed

  In this operating environment, only the Manager of AdvancedCopy Manager needs to be installed (Manager of AdvancedCopy Manager includes the Agent functions of AdvancedCopy Manager).

[Figure 1.1 When only one Storage server is installed]

• When two or more Storage servers are installed

  When two or more AdvancedCopy Manager servers are available, set only one of them up as the Storage management server or set up a new server with no disk drive connected as the Storage management server. Each operation environment is explained below.

  1. When the Storage server is operated as a Storage management server

     One of the servers functions as a Storage management server. The Storage management server has a repository where the information on operating and management of all Storage servers is stored.

     When many Storage servers exist, all of them compete for accesses to the repository. This will affect other applications running on to the same server. Therefore, the Storage management server should be considered as a dedicated server.

     When the Storage server is operated as Storage management server, it becomes a composition shown next.

     [Figure 1.2 When the Storage server is also operated as a Storage management server]

     

  2. Setting up the special Storage management server

     This setup composes of two or more Storage servers with a dedicated Storage management server.

     [Figure 1.3 When a dedicated Storage server is a Storage management server ]

     

1.2.2 System configuration 

The system configuration of AdvancedCopy Manager is shown below.

[Figure 1.4 System configuration used when the storage management server runs on Windows]

1.2.3 Combinations of products 

The following combinations of product levels of the AdvancedCopy Manager agent and manager can be used on different platforms.

[Table 1.2 Combinations of products]

A : Connectible

B : Connectible (However, any function supported since the version of the Storage server is unusable.)

C : Unconnectible

• There is a difference in functions at some product levels. Installation of the manager and agent of the same level is recommended.

• With different-level connections, such combinations operate with a low range of functionality.

• 10.x, 11.0, V10.0Lxx, V11.0L10 in "Table 1.2 Combinations of products" are the version of Softek AdvancedCopy Manager.

1.3 Function Overview of AdvancedCopy Manager 

1.3.1 What is the backup function 

The backup function of AdvancedCopy Manager provides operation management for high-speed backup by using the OPC (One Point Copy), ROPC (Remote One Point Copy), EC (Equivalent Copy), and REC (Remote Equivalent) function of a Fujitsu Storage Systems ETERNUS.

The following sub-sections provide more information concerning the backup function.

+High-speed backup operation

The advanced copy function (OPC/EC function) of the disk array unit is used to perform high-speed backup between volumes regardless of volume capacities. This function greatly reduces the impact of a backup operation.

Faster backups can be made by performing update differential copies using the Advanced Copy function.

+Policy management function

The policy management function manages the number of preservation generations of backup and the number of interval days in which backup should be performed (displays the delay when displaying information) for a volume to be backed up.

+Storage configuration management function

The storage configuration management function manages the configurations of volumes to be backed up and volumes to which a backup should be saved.

On AdvancedCopy Manager, a volume to be backed up is called a transaction volume; a volume to which a backup should be saved is called a backup volume.

+Backup and restore functions

The backup and restore functions back up and restore a specified volume.

Backup using ROPC/REC is limited to disk array devices within the same Storage Server that support ROPC/REC.

+History information management function

The history information management function manages, out of the information that has been backed up in the past, the information in preservation generations as history.

+Consistency recovery function

The consistency recovery function resolves inconsistencies in the AdvancedCopy Manager backup management information caused by a system or other type of failure.

1.3.2 What is the replication function 

The replication function of AdvancedCopy Manager provides operation management of replications by using the OPC (One Point Copy), ROPC (Remote One Point Copy), EC (Equivalent Copy), and REC (Remote Equivalent) function of a Fujitsu Storage Systems ETERNUS.

As a result, the following replication operations become possible.

+High-speed replication operation

The advanced copy function (OPC/EC function) of the disk array unit is used to perform high-speed replication between volumes regardless of volume capacities. This function greatly reduces the impact of a replication operation.

Faster replication can be made by performing update differential copies using the Advanced Copy function.

+Consistency recovery function

The consistency recovery function resolves inconsistencies in the AdvancedCopy Manager replication management information caused by a system or other type of failure.

+Main differences with backup function

In backup function, policy management and history management are possible, but they are not possible in replication function.

In replication function, replication between two volumes is possible.

1.3.3 Authentication feature function 

The Web-GUI provided by AdvancedCopy Manager can be used to manage the users who have access to the system. This allows you to set up secure operations that specify the functions each user can access. Refer to "Secure Operations using the Authentication Mechanism" in this manual for more information.

1.3.4 Web client screen 

With AdvancedCopy Manager there are environmental setup and employment functions it is possible to carry out on a Web client screen. The main functions are as follows.

• Security management

  Operation restrictions of the user of AdvancedCopy Manager can carry out by GUI operation.

• Backup management

  Employment (a definition of a server or a device, backup, restoration, etc. to employ) of backup management of AdvancedCopy Manager can carry out by GUI operation.

• Replication management

  AdvancedCopy Manager replication management tasks (such as defining volumes and executing replications) can be performed using the GUI.

A client screen can be used for accessing a management server using a WEB browser. The system with WEB browser does not have to have AdvancedCopy Manager installed.

Backup management and Replication management can be done by commands as well as through a Web client screen.

For more information, see "AdvancedCopy Manager Web Client" in "ETERNUS SF AdvancedCopy Manager User's Guide".

1.4 Operating Environment of AdvancedCopy Manager

1.4.1 Hardware requirements

One of the following hardware devices is required to perform backup management or replication management. In addition, an advanced copy license and cache table size need to be set up. The offered advanced copy function is different in each hardware device and confirms it to a Fujitsu systems engineer (SE).

• ETERNUS3000 disk array unit (model 100 or higher)

• ETERNUS6000 disk array unit

• ETERNUS4000 disk array unit (model 100 or higher)

• ETERNUS8000 disk array unit

• ETERNUS GR720 disk array unit

• ETERNUS GR730 disk array unit

• ETERNUS GR740 disk array unit

• ETERNUS GR820 disk array unit

• ETERNUS GR840 disk array unit

1.4.2 Software requirements 

1.4.2.1 Agent of AdvancedCopy Manager 

[Table 1.3 Software requirements for Agent of AdvancedCopy Manager]

1.5 Managing a Device on AdvancedCopy Manager

1.5.1 Normal devices 

The following devices are supported for backup management and replication management:

• sd driver resources

1.5.2 Volumes under the control of Logical Volume Manager (LVM) 

AdvancedCopy Manager can back up or replicate volumes under the control of LVM (referred to as LVM volumes in this document) in the following units:

• Volume group

• Physical disk that constitutes a volume group

For information on the backup operation of LVM volumes, see "LVM Volume Operation" in this manual.

For information on the replication operation of LVM volumes, see "LVM Volume Operation" in this manual.

1.5.2.1 Backup/replication in units of volume groups 

In this case, volumes are managed in units of volume groups containing logical volumes.

AdvancedCopy Manager copies each physical disk that constitutes a volume group.

An LVM volume that can be operated in units of logical volumes must satisfy the following conditions:

• One volume group contains only one physical disk, and logical volumes are configured so that one physical disk includes n logical volumes.

[Support configuration]

LVM allows multiple logical volumes to be defined on a physical disk (LU: Logical Unit). The boundaries of logical volumes can be defined regardless of the boundaries of physical disks.

A configuration in which one volume group contains multiple logical volumes is also supported. For operation, however, note the following:

• A logical volume for which a file system was constructed must be unmounted before backup or replication, and re-mounted after backup or replication.

1.5.2.2 Physical disks that constitute a volume group 

In this case, the individual physical disks that constitute a volume group in which a logical volume exists are used as management units.

Use this type of operation when a volume group has a configuration that is not supported for operation in units of volume groups.

[Configuration that is not supported for operation in units of volume groups]

Copying for backup or replication must be performed while maintaining the integrity of an entire volume group.

1.5.3 Volumes under control of VxVM (VERITAS Volume Manager) 

AdvancedCopy Manager can back up or replicate VxVM volumes in the following units:

• Physical disks that constitute a disk group

For information on the backup operation of VxVM volumes, see "VxVM Volume Operation" in this manual.

For information on the replication operation of VxVM volumes, see "VxVM Volume Operation" in this manual.

1.5.3.1 Physical disks that constitute a disk group 

The VM disks (physical disks) on which a subdisk used by a logical volume exists are used as the management units.

[Example of VxVM configuration]

Since AdvancedCopy Manager copies an entire VM disk, not only the shared area that is a subdisk but also the occupied area containing VxVM-internal configuration information is copied.

When backup or replication is performed, therefore, the integrity of VxVM configuration information must be maintained during copying.

Specify a device name as follows:

/dev/vx/dmp/hdisk#

Operation under the operation of the naming convention based on the enclosure is not supported.

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