Storage requirements
The Db2® Mirror environment can be
created on systems using any type of storage. There are different requirements and considerations
for different types of storage.
IBM® storage systems are recommended but not required. IBM
System Storage®
DS8000® or IBM Storage Virtualize storage is recommended because the cloning operations during Db2 Mirror setup is
automated. Third party or other IBM external storage systems
can be used but the storage cloning operations during the setup process will need to be done
manually. Setting up Db2 Mirror on systems
using internal storage is also a manual process.
The supported methods of cloning the setup source node to create the setup copy node are different, depending on the type of your storage.
Cloning method
There are several options for cloning the setup source node to create the setup copy node.
- FlashCopy®: The FlashCopy technology of the IBM storage server is used to make an instant point-in-time copy of the setup source node. This method is the fastest and most reliable way to create an exact duplicate of the source node. The storage for both the setup source and setup copy nodes must be on the same storage server.
- Remote Copy: The Global Copy or Global Mirror technology is used to make a copy of the setup source node into the storage identified for the setup copy node. This method must be used when the storage for the two nodes resides on different IBM storage servers.
- Manual Copy: You must manually perform the actions required to create the
copy of the source node. You will be guided through the entire setup process and instructed when to
perform the manual actions. There are two types of manual copy:
- Storage Server Copy Tools: Selecting this method requires you to manually perform the storage cloning operations using the storage replication services available on your external storage system to create an identical copy of the setup source node.
- IBM i Save and Restore Copy Process: Selecting this method requires you to manually perform a save of system objects and all licensed programs on the source node to a tape or optical device. The boot and install of the copy node from the save media also must be performed manually. This method must be used for internal storage.
- Cold cloning: The setup source node is powered off during the cloning process. This guarantees the most accurate copy of all data on the source node because no changes are being made while the copy takes place.
- Warm cloning: The setup source node remains up and running during the entire setup process. Changes to replicated objects on the source node will be tracked and then resynchronized. The setup source node must reach a quiesce point before tracking changes can begin. If a quiesce point cannot be reached within the specified timeout, then the setup process will not proceed.