Copying directory-container storage pools to tape
You can protect data in a directory-container storage pool by copying the data to container-copy storage pools.
Before you begin
About this task
A container-copy storage pool protects data in a directory-container storage pool by storing a copy of the data on tape volumes. The tape copy is used to repair damage to a directory-container storage pool.
To copy the data in directory-container storage pools to tape, the Operations Center creates a schedule to run the PROTECT STGPOOL command. When the protection schedule runs, one tape copy is created. At least one volume must be available when the protection schedule runs. Otherwise, the operation fails.
If you created a container-copy storage pool as part of the Add Storage Pool wizard, you do not have to use this procedure. When you completed the wizard, the Operations Center configured the container-copy storage pool and a protection schedule.
- Container-copy storage pools can be used to repair minor to moderate storage pool damage, which includes damaged containers or directories. However, replication is the only way to provide complete disaster recovery protection for directory-container storage pools. With replication, you can directly restore client data from the target server if the source server is unavailable.
- It is not recommended to use container-copy storage pools for disaster recovery protection, even
if your storage environment is based on a small blueprint configuration. Repairing an entire
directory-container storage pool, even for a small blueprint configuration, can take several days.
Adding more drives or using the latest generation of tape technologies does not decrease the time
that is required for the repair activity. Tip: For information about using container-copy storage pools to protect and recover a server environment in a disaster, and for using container-copy storage pools in storage environments that are based on medium or large blueprint configurations, see technote 7048653.
- You cannot create container-copy storage pools if you are using replication.
- You cannot use the following procedure if the directory-container storage pool already has an associated container-copy storage pool.
Procedure
To configure storage pool protection to tape for an existing directory-container storage pool, complete the following steps:
Results
What to do next
To change the protection schedule for a directory-container storage pool that has an associated container-copy storage pool, use the UPDATE SCHEDULE command. The schedule that is created by the Operations Center is named CONTAINER_COPY.
By default, tape volume reclamation is enabled for a new container-copy storage pool. Volume reclamation occurs when the reclamation threshold for the container-copy storage pool is less than 100%. However, tape volumes are not a candidate for reclamation until they are 75% full. The Operations Center sets the reclamation threshold at 60%.
For instructions about changing the reclamation threshold, see Changing the volume reclamation threshold for container-copy storage pools.