Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for forming a consistency group comprised of volumes maintained by one or more storage controllers. At least one storage controller is caused to perform reservation operations for point-in-time copies of storage units to allocate storage resources and a data structure for a point-in-time copy. Upon successfully completing the reservation operations for all the point-in-time copies, Input/Output (I/O) operations to the storage units of the point-in-time copies are suspended. If I/O operations were successfully suspended at the storage units for all of the point-in-time copies, then suspension of I/O operations is ended I/O operations are allowed to continue at the storage units of the point-in-time copies. The point-in-time copies at the storage units are formed at which the suspension of I/O operations was ended after being successfully suspended. The point-in-time copies are consistent as of a same point-in-time.

Abstract: Provided is a method for correcting pinned data in a primary storage. A primary storage controller may detect a pinned data set on a primary storage. In response to detecting the pinned data set, the primary storage controller may instruct a secondary storage controller to transmit a copy of the pinned data set to the primary storage controller. The copy of the pinned data set may be stored in a secondary storage that is communicatively coupled to the secondary storage controller. The secondary storage may include a synchronous copy of the primary storage. The primary storage controller may receive the copy of the pinned data set from the secondary storage controller. The primary storage controller may also write the copy of the pinned data set over the pinned data set on the primary storage.

Abstract: Provided is a method for correcting untrusted data and avoiding logical device swapping for at least one logical subsystem of at least one computer system. A processor may monitor a primary storage for one or more errors that indicate untrusted data on the primary storage. An error indicating that a data set on the primary storage is an untrusted data set may be identified. In response to the error being identified, a corresponding uncompromised version of the data set may be read from a secondary storage. The corresponding uncompromised version of the data set may be written over the untrusted data set on the primary storage.

Abstract: 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 (LIAR) 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.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for improved point-in-time copying of data within an asynchronous data mirroring environment comprising: receiving a request to initiate an asynchronous data mirroring operation associated with a first point-in-time copying process; processing a first set of establish data to generate a point-in-time establish reservation, the first set of establish data associated with the first point-in-time copying process establish; using the point-in-time establish reservation to generate a second set of establish data if the second point-in-time copying process can be performed; using the second set of establish data to initiate a second point-in-time copying process; and, tracking establish operations in progress between the first point-in-time copying process and the second point-in-time copying process.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for processing a space release command when mirroring data at a source storage to a target storage. A space release command is received to free a release space in the source storage while transferring changed data in a consistency group. A determination is made as to whether a transfer time to transfer remaining consistency group data in the consistency group for the release space that has not been transferred exceeds a response time to process a space release command. The remaining consistency group data in the release space is transferred to the target storage in response to determining that the transfer time does not exceed the response time. The release space for the space release command is freed in response to transferring the consistency group data in the release space to the target storage.

Abstract: In one embodiment, upon initiation of a consistency group, bandwidth reduction scanning logic determines whether a volume portion such as a track containing data which is to be mirrored from a primary volume to a secondary volume to form a consistency group, is allocated to the primary volume. If not, the bandwidth reduction scanning logic causes the data of the associated volume portion to not be mirrored from the primary volume to the secondary volume. As a result, the volume portion determined to not be allocated to the primary volume is bypassed by the mirroring operation, thereby reducing bandwidth usage by the mirroring and accelerating the formation of a consistency group. Other features and aspects may be realized, depending upon the particular application.

Abstract: A method for collecting diagnostic information associated with an error is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes detecting an error at one of a storage system and a host system coupled to the storage system. In response, the host system gathers software-related diagnostic information related to the error and sends the software-related diagnostic information to the storage system. Meanwhile, the storage system gathers hardware-related diagnostic information related to the error. Once the storage system obtains both software-related diagnostic information and hardware-related diagnostic information, the storage system bundles the information together and sends it to a service provider using a “call home” function. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for using a space release data structure to indicate tracks to release for a space release command to release space of tracks in a consistency group being formed. A space release command is received to free a release space of tracks in a source storage or target storage while transferring changed data in a consistency group to a target storage. A space release data structure is created indicating for each track of the tracks in the release space whether to release or not release the track. The space release data structure is initialized to indicate that each of the tracks is to be released. The tracks in the space release data structure are indicated to be released after the consistency group has completed.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for using a cascade flag to process a copy relationship having a backward cascade copy relationship. Each of a plurality of copy relationships indicates to copy source data to target data and has a cascade flag. The cascade flag for a forward copy relationship of the copy relationships is set to a first value in response to determining that the source data for the forward copy relationship comprises target data for a backward copy relationship and that a background copy operation specified to copy source data to target data of the backward copy relationship has not completed. The cascade flag for the forward copy relationship is set to a second value in response to determining that the backward copy relationship does not have an uncompleted background copy operation.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method for backing up data is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes identifying a volume of data to back up, and determining a number of backup tasks that can operate in parallel to back up data in the volume. The number of backup tasks may be based on an amount of memory available, a fragmentation level of a target storage area, a number of tape mounts that are available, or the like. The method then divides the volume into a number of sections corresponding to the number of backup tasks. Each section is associated with a particular backup task. The method then initiates the backup tasks to back up their corresponding sections in parallel. In certain embodiments, each backup task generates a data set storing backup data from its corresponding section. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for updating change information for current copy relationships when establishing a new copy relationship having overlapping data with the current copy relationships. A first copy relationship indicates changed first source data to copy to first target data. An establish request is processed to create a second copy relationship to copy second source data in to second target data. A second copy relationship is generated, in response to the establish request, indicating data in the second source data to copy to the second target data. A determination is made of overlapping data units in the first source data also in the second target data. Indication is made in the first copy relationship to copy the overlapping data units. The first source data indicated in the first copy relationship is copied to the first target data, including data for the overlapping data units.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for processing a space release command when mirroring data at a source storage to a target storage. A space release command is received to free a release space in the source storage while transferring changed data in a consistency group. A determination is made as to whether a transfer time to transfer remaining consistency group data in the consistency group for the release space that has not been transferred exceeds a response time to process a space release command. The remaining consistency group data in the release space is transferred to the target storage in response to determining that the transfer time does not exceed the response time. The release space for the space release command is freed in response to transferring the consistency group data in the release space to the target storage.

Abstract: Provided are techniques for delayed consistent point-in-time copy from a secondary device in an asynchronous mirror relationship. A consistent asynchronous mirror copy that includes an asynchronous mirror copy from a primary volume to a secondary volume and a point-in-time copy from the secondary volume to a tertiary volume is performed. A point-in-time copy is created from the secondary volume to an accessible consistent copy volume. In response to receiving a request to access a track of the accessible consistent copy volume, it is determined whether to access the track of one of the secondary volume, the tertiary volume, and the accessible consistent copy volume. A response to the request is provided with data accessed from the determined one of the secondary volume, the tertiary volume, and the accessible consistent copy volume.

Abstract: A method for analyzing data corruption is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes identifying a data set containing corrupted data. The method identifies a specific location within the data set containing the corrupted data and analyzes the specific location to determine if the corrupted data is contained therein. The method repeatedly performs the following until the corrupted data is no longer found within the specific location: revert to a previous version of the specific location by removing an incremental update to the specific location, and analyze the previous version of the specific location to determine if it contains the corrupted data. When a previous version of the specific location is found that no longer contains the corrupted data, the method determines a timestamp associated with the previous version and provides the timestamp to a user. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for analyzing data corruption is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes identifying a data set containing corrupted data. The method searches the data set for the corrupted data to verify that the corrupted data is contained within the data set. The method repeatedly performs the following until the corrupted data is no longer found within the data set: revert to a previous version of the data set by removing an incremental update to the data set, and search the previous version for the corrupted data. When a previous version of the data set is found that no longer contains the corrupted data, the method determines a timestamp associated with the previous version and provides the timestamp to a user. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a potential data breach is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes identifying a time frame and data store in which a data breach potentially occurred. The method reconstructs the data store to a point in time near an end of the time frame. The method then repeatedly performs the following until the data store reaches a point in time near a beginning of the time frame: revert to a previous version of the data store by removing an incremental update to the data store; record changes to the data store caused by removing the incremental update; and record timestamps associated with the changes. Once the data store reaches the point in time near the beginning of the time frame, the method creates a report that documents the changes and the timestamps and provides the report to a user. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for validating data in a copy repository is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes establishing a template that designates valid fields within a data set, as well as valid values and types of data within the fields. The method further establishes a timeframe over which to validate versions of the data set residing in a copy repository. Starting at a first end of the timeframe and proceeding to a second end, the method validates each version of the data set residing in the copy repository. To accomplish this, the method configures a computing system to a state that existed when the version was created in the copy repository. The method then opens the version on the computing system and validates the version against the template. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.