Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are provided for controlling link status changes across multiple independent control modules. The apparatus includes a copy services module configured to control multiple link adapters, each configured to establish multiple communication links between a source and a target storage device. The adapter transmits a link status change notification to the copy services module and starts a timer upon transmitting the link status change notification. The copy services module simultaneously processes link status change notifications from a plurality of communication links. The system includes a communications network and a plurality of storage devices having the above described apparatus.

Abstract: A method to provide information from a first information storage and retrieval system to a second information storage and retrieval system. Applicants' method provides a first information storage and retrieval system, where that first information storage and retrieval system comprises (N) PPRC adapters and information, and provides a second information storage and retrieval system. The method generates and saves an Established Path Bitmap which recites each of the (N) PPRC adapters, and generates an Available Path Bitmap. If a PPRC adapter is in communication with the secondary information storage and retrieval system, then the method adds that adapter to the Available Path Bitmap. The Established Path Bitmap and the Available Path Bitmap are used for subsequent PPRC operations.

Abstract: Methods, system and computer program product are provided to improve the efficiency of data transfers in a PPRC environment. A block of data to be transferred is divided into tracks. Each track is allocated to a data mover task control block (TCB) with a master TCB being assigned to supervise the data mover TCBs. The tracks are then transferred from the primary storage controller to the secondary controller in a piped fashion over a link coupling the primary and secondary storage controllers. However, the usage of resources is monitored by a resource management algorithm and, if too many TCBs are being used for a transfer or if the supply of data mover TCBs is exhausted, the transfer is automatically switched to a serial, non-piped transfer with the master TCB serving as the data mover TCB for the remaining tracks. In addition, the various links coupling the primary and secondary storage controllers is monitored to determine which link will provide the fastest transfer.