Copy Services functions

The system provides Copy Services functions that can be used to improve availability and support disaster recovery. Some system models can require a separate license to use these functions. Verify your licensing requirement before using these functions.

The following Copy Services functions are available:

IBM® FlashCopy® function
Makes an instant, point-in-time copy from a source volume to a target volume.
Metro Mirror
Provides a consistent copy of a source volume on a target volume. Data is written to the target volume synchronously after it is written to the source volume so that the copy is continuously updated.
Global Mirror
Provides a consistent copy of a source volume on a target volume. The data is written to the target volume asynchronously and the copy is continuously updated. However, the copy might not contain the most recent updates when a disaster recovery operation is completed.
Global Mirror with change volumes
Enables support for Global Mirror with higher recovery point objective (RPO) by the use of change volumes. This function is for use in environments where the available bandwidth between the sites is smaller than the update rate of the replicated workload.

Metro Mirror, Global Mirror, Global Mirror with change volumes, and HyperSwap® functions are types of remote copy or remote replication.

If the system requires a remote mirroring license and it is configured correctly, the following copy_type values can be specified in the CLI or management GUI to create remote copy relationships:
  • activeactive
  • global
  • metro