International Business Machines Corporation

James Mitchell Ratliff

Cuong Minh Le

Lawrence E Eastridge

Robert Frederic Kern

Jerry Wayne Pence

Dinesh C Verma

Gregory E McBride

Dakshi Agrawal

Kaladhar Voruganti

Robert Beverley Basham

David Michael Shackelford

Kang-Won Lee

Sandeep Gopisetty

Brent William Yardley

Khalid Filali-Adib

Claus William Mikkelsen

William Frank Micka

Glenn Randle Wilcock

Lyn Lequam Ashton

Erika Dawson

Kirby Grant Dahman

Gavin Stuart Johnson

Ronald Maynard Kern

Wayne Erwin Rhoten

Jon Arthur Lynds

Anthony Steve Pearson

Michael Ray Noel

Michael William Wood

Kathryn Eileen Eldred

Lyn Leguam Ashton

Michael Francis Bankemper

Ronald Preston Ward

Disclosed is a technique for correcting a configuration problem. The configuration problem is detected. It is determined whether there is at least one solution for the configuration problem in a knowledge data store. When it is determined that there is at least one solution in the knowledge data store, automatically selecting a solution to solve the configuration problem. When said solution can be automatically applied, automatically applying said solution. When said solution cannot be automatically applied, notifying a user.

Checking and repairing a network configuration

A technique for performing configuration checking of a network is provided. A network data store is scanned for at least one transaction. At least one event is generated for the transaction. At least one configuration policy is associated with the event. The configuration policy is compared with configuration data associated with the event. It is determined whether the configuration policy has been violated based on the comparison.

Storage management system, apparatus, and method for supporting a multiplicity of logical block identification

A technique for determining an optimal number of tasks for processing requests is provided. It is determined whether there are one or more first requests that have not been processed. A parallelism assessment is performed for simulating the assignment of said first requests to one or more task representations.

Work load assessment heuristic for optimal task parallelism determination

In a data storage system with multiple output media types, each request to store a data object is automatically analyzed to select the optimal output media type. In choosing the output media type best suited to quickly and efficiently complete the storage requests, the storage system considers (1) attributes of the data object itself, such as its size, (2) any perceived urgency required to complete the data storage request, and (3) attributes of the system's storage devices, such as the availability of different output media types, presence of other storage requests queued for storage for each type, level of ongoing access of each storage type by concurrent storage tasks, delays to initiate storage such as mount/demount times, amount of storage space available in different output media types, and the like.

Data storage system with automatic storage request analysis and selection of optimal output media type

In a computing system with non-shareable resources, use-arbitrating processes are executed on behalf of each task seeking or having access to non-shareable resource. The processes compete according to prescribed rules and priority guidelines, the resolution of which determines access to the non-shareable resource. If application of the priority guidelines permits, a use-requesting task can institute takeaway of a resource from a task that is already using the resource.

Computing system arbitrating and selectively providing resource-seeking tasks with takeaway of non-shareable resources

In a data storage system that employs multiple storage drives to access removable data storage media, idle data storage media are analyzed and than selectively demounted by automated equipment to increase storage drive availability and also minimize unnecessary mount/demount operations. Initially, the system establishes a maximum permitted number of concurrently mounted idle storage media, and also establishes a maximum permitted length of time for leaving idle storage media mounted. Next, storage media mounted to the media drives are analyzed for possible demounting. The system determines how many storage media are presently mounted, and each media's mount time. Then, the system identifies suitable demounting candidates (if any) to comply with the established maximums. Namely, the system identifies the media with the greatest idle times whose demounting is necessary to both (1) reduce the number of concurrent mounts down to the maximum permitted number, and (2) demount any storage media with idle times exceeding the maximum permitted length of time..

Multi-drive data storage system with analysis and selected demounting of idle data storage media

A method in a data processing system for automatically terminating or resuming backup copy sessions after an abnormal interrupt or reset notification occurrence during a backup copy process. A status indication is entered into activity tables associated with a plurality of storage subsystems and devices within a data processing system in response to initiation of a backup copy session. Status indications are then entered upon successful completion of a backup copy session within the data processing system. The indications within the activity tables are reviewed to determine the status of a backup copy session upon restarting a resource manager, abnormal termination of a backup copy program, or an operating system initial program load. If a backup copy session has been initiated but not completed, the backup copy session is then terminated. The indications within the activity tables are also reviewed to determine the status of a backup copy session if a reset notification is raised by a storage subsystem. The tracks extents which are active for a volume associated with a particular session identification are determined. A comparison is then made between the tracks extents which are active and the volume and extent information associated with a physical session identification. If a match exists between the tracks extents which are active and the volume and extent information associated with a physical session identification, the backup copy session resumes. If a match does not exist, the backup copy session is terminated.

Method and system for automated termination and resumption in a time zero backup copy process

A method for collecting information about the operating condition of a computer system. The method comprises the steps of running a first trace program that collects information about the operating condition of the computer and, in response to the detection of an error in the operating condition of the data storage system by the first program, determining whether a first flag is on or off. The first flag indicates whether or not a second trace program should be run. If the first flag is on, the second program is run. The second trace program is designed to collect different information about the operating condition of the computer system than the first trace program collects.

System and method for automatically initiating a tracing facility and dynamically changing the levels of tracing currently active

A method and system for the dynamic allocation of a buffer storage space during backup copying. Backup copying of designated datasets representing point in time consistency may be performed in a data processing system on one or more storage subsystems concurrent with data processing system application execution by suspending execution only long enough to form a logical to physical address concordance and thereafter physically backing up the datasets on the storage subsystems on a scheduled or opportunistic basis. A particular area of an established buffer storage space is dynamically allocated for each designated dataset to be backed up. The designated datasets are then stored in the particular areas and indexed. After all designated datasets to be backed up are copied to an alternate storage subsystem location, the buffer storage space is released.

Method and system for dynamic allocation of buffer storage space during

Backup copying of designated datasets representing a first selected point in time consistency may be performed in a data processing system on an attached storage subsystem concurrent with data processing system application execution by first suspending application execution only long enough to form a logical-to-physical address concordance, and thereafter physically backing up the datasets on the storage subsystem on a scheduled or opportunistic basis. An indication of each update to a selected portion of the designated datasets which occurs after the first selected point in time is stored and application initiated updates to uncopied designated datasets are first buffered. Thereafter, sidefiles are made of the affected datasets, or portions thereof, the updates are then written through to the storage subsystem, and the sidefiles written to an alternate storage location in backup copy order, as controlled by the address concordance. At a subsequent point in time only those portions of the designated datasets which have been updated after the first selected period and time are copied, utilizing an identical technique.

Method and system for incremental time zero backup copying of data

A method in a data processing system for generating a backup copy of designated datasets during concurrent execution of an application. Upon receiving a request for a backup copy, execution of an application is suspended. A dataset logical-to-physical storage system address concordance for the designated datasets is formed, and execution of the application is resumed thereafter. A resource manager is established to manage all input and output functions between storage subsystems, storage subsystem memory associated with each of the storage subsystems, and a temporary host memory during formation of the backup copy. Formation of the backup copy is accomplished on a scheduled or opportunistic basis by copying the designated datasets from the storage subsystems and then updating the address concordance in response to the copying. Application updates are processed during formation of the backup copy by buffering the updates, copying the affected uncopied designated datasets to a storage subsystem memory, updating the address concordance in response to the copying, and processing the updates. Designated datasets can also be copied to the temporary host memory in the event the number of designated datasets in the storage subsystem memory exceeds a threshold number. Finally, the designated datasets are copied to an alternate storage memory from the storage subsystem, storage subsystem memory and temporary host memory utilizing the resource manager and the altered address concordance to create a specified order backup copy of the designated datasets from said copied portions of the designated datasets without user intervention.

Method and system for automated backup copy ordering in a time zero

Method and system for automated termination and resumption in a time

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Benson, AZ, United States of America

James Mitchell Ratliff