International Business Machines Corporation

Dash D Miller

David C Reed

Miguel Angel Perez

Gregory E McBride

Max D Smith

Esteban Rios

Tabor R Powelson

Preston A Carpenter

Joseph V Malinowski

David Bruce LeGendre

Donna Weaver

Jamie Storey

Herbert Yee

George Kozakos

A method for modifying a configuration of a storage system. The method includes a computer processor querying a network-accessible computing system to obtain information associated with an executing application that utilizes a storage system for a process of data mirroring. The method further includes identifying a set of parameters associated with a copy program executing within a logical partition (LPAR) of the storage system based on the obtained information, where the set of parameters dictates a number of reader tasks utilized by the copy program, where the copy program is a program associated with the process for data mirroring from the network-accessible computing system to the storage system. The method further includes executing the dictated number of reader tasks for the process of mirroring data associated with the executing application, from the network-accessible computing system to the storage system.

Modifying aspects of a storage system associated with data mirroring

A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes obtaining, by a first LPAR, first device information about devices that a first LPAR is physically connected to. The first device information is sent by the first LPAR to a storage device for storage therein. Second device information stored on the storage device by a second LPAR is accessed by the first LPAR. The second device information includes information about devices that the second LPAR is physically connected to. The method further includes performing, by the first LPAR, a function using the second device information. A computer program product for device information sharing between a plurality of LPARs according to another embodiment includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The program are instructions readable and/or executable by a first LPAR to cause the first LPAR to perform the foregoing method.

Device information sharing between a plurality of logical partitions (LPARs)

Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for using mirror indicators to determine whether to mirror tracks in a data set in a primary volume mirrored to a secondary volume. A table is read. The table is maintained by a primary controller managing the primary volume that includes a mirror indicator for each of a plurality of tracks in at least one data set configured in the primary volume indicating whether a track is to be mirrored to the secondary volume. Record sets are read from a cache of the primary controller for the tracks in primary volume having the mirror indicators in the table indicating that the track is to be mirrored. The write data in the read record sets is applied to tracks in the secondary volume mirroring the tracks in the primary volume.

Using mirror indicators to determine whether to mirror tracks in a data set in a primary volume mirrored to a secondary volume

A method for modifying a configuration of a storage system. The method includes one or more computer processors identifying data received at a logical partition (LPAR) of a storage system, wherein a copy program associated with a process for data mirroring executes within the LPAR. The method further includes determining a first rate based on analyzing a quantity of data received at the LPAR during the process of data mirroring. The method further includes creating a journal file from a set of records within the received data. The method further includes determining a second rate related to migrating the journal file from the LPAR to intermediate storage included in the storage system. The method further includes determining to modify a set of configuration information associated with the process of data mirroring by the storage system based, at least in part, on the first rate and the second rate.

Modifying journaling associated with data mirroring within a storage system

Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for using mirror indicators to indicate whether to mirror tracks in a data set in a primary volume mirrored to a secondary volume. A table includes a mirror indicator for each of a plurality of tracks in at least one data set in the primary volume indicating whether a track is to be mirrored to the secondary volume. In response to a write command of write data for one of the tracks in the primary volume, creating a record set in a cache for the primary volume including write data for the track to transfer to the secondary volume in response to the mirror indicator for the track indicating that the track is to be mirrored. The write data in the record set is transferred from the cache to the secondary volume.

Using mirror indicators to indicate whether to mirror tracks in a data set in a primary volume mirrored to a secondary volume

A method for limiting I/O access in shared storage systems is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes establishing, for a volume, a list of address spaces that are authorized to access the volume. The method further receives an I/O request to access the volume and determines whether the I/O request originates from one of the address spaces identified in the list. If the I/O request originates from one of the address spaces in the list, the method passes the I/O request to the volume. If, on the other hand, the I/O request does not originate from one of the address spaces in the list, the method blocks the I/O request. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

I/O authorization control in shared storage systems

A method for collecting diagnostic information associated with an error is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes detecting an error condition associated with mirroring data from a primary volume to a secondary volume. In response to detecting the error condition, the method modifies various diagnostic parameters to improve collection of diagnostic information. The method then immediately re-drives the data from the primary volume to the secondary volume. This will ideally recreate the error. Upon recreating the error, the method captures diagnostic information associated with the error in accordance with the modified diagnostic parameters. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Error-initiated mirror redrive to collect diagnostic information

A computer program product, system, and method for switching over from using a first primary storage to using a second primary storage when the first primary storage is in a mirror relationship. Migration operations are initiated to migrate data in the first primary storage to a second primary storage while the data in the first primary storage indicated in first change recording information is mirrored to a secondary storage and switch from using the first primary storage to the second primary storage. Resynchronization operations are initiated to indicate changes to data in the second primary storage in a second change recording information, copy writes from the second primary storage indicated in the first and the second change recording information to the secondary storage, and mirror writes to the second primary storage to the secondary storage in response to the copying the writes.

Switching over from using a first primary storage to using a second primary storage when the first primary storage is in a mirror relationship

A method for allocating new data sets while taking into account point-in-time copy relationships is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes determining free space that is available in a volume. The method further determines which portions of the free space are not subject to residual point-in-time-copy relationships. In certain embodiments, these portions are represented in a modified free space mapping that identifies storage elements (e.g., tracks. groups of tracks, etc.) in the volume that make up the free space but are not subject to residual point-in-time-copy relationships. Once the portions are known, the method determines whether the portions are sufficient to accommodate the allocation of a new data set. If the portions are sufficient, the method allocates the new data set therein. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Data set allocations taking into account point-in-time-copy relationships

A method for configuring a storage system. The method includes a computer processor receiving at a storage system, an indication to initiate data mirroring for an application. The method further includes determining a set of information associated with a network-accessible computing system that hosts the application. The method further includes identifying an analysis of historic performance data associated with data mirroring to the storage system with respect to the application. The method further includes identifying a set configuration information associated with data mirroring from among a plurality of sets of configuration information associated with data mirroring based, at least in part, on the determined set of information associated with the network-accessible computing system and the identified analysis of performance data associated with data mirroring with respect to the application. The method further includes applying the identified set configuration information associated with data mirroring for the application to the storage system.

Configuring a secondary storage system for data mirroring

A method for collecting diagnostic information associated with an I/O error is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes detecting an error associated with an input/output (I/O) operation. The method determines whether the error can be re-driven and, if so, enables various diagnostic functions to improve collection of diagnostic information. The method then immediately re-drives the I/O operation associated with the error in order to recreate the error. Using the diagnostic functions that have been enabled, the method captures diagnostic information associated with the recreated error. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

I/O error diagnostics

An apparatus, method, system, and program product are disclosed for mirroring resynchronization. In one example, an apparatus includes a mirroring status determination module that detects suspension of mirroring. The apparatus, in a further embodiment, includes a suspension determination module that determines a first change in at least one parameter that resulted in the detected suspension of mirroring. In various embodiment, the apparatus includes a parameter detection module that detects a second change in the at least one parameter that enables resuming minoring. In some embodiments, the parameter detection module detects the first change in the at least one parameter. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a synchronization module that resumes minoring in response to the parameter detection module detecting the second change.

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Dash D Miller