Abstract: A computer-implemented method for effectively delivering notifications in data storage environments includes, receiving, by a storage controller from a host system, a request to register the host system with the storage controller to receive notifications. These notifications may be associated with a selected type of event detected by the storage controller. In certain embodiments, the selected type of event is a space-related condition associated with a particular storage resource controlled by the storage controller. The computer-implemented method registers the host system with the storage controller. In response to detecting an event of the selected type on the storage controller, the computer-implemented method transmits a notification from the storage controller to the host system to provide notice of the event. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes, prior to executing a point-in-time copy job, running a space checker program to generate a list that includes: source data sets that will be used in the point-in-time copy job and a pool of potential target volumes that are eligible to be used for the point-in-time copy job. The method further includes determining that insufficient space is available on the potential target volumes to perform the point-in-time copy job. An on-demand migration is issued against one or more target volumes of the pool of potential target volumes for ensuring there is sufficient space available on the one or more target volumes associated with the issued on-demand migration to perform the point-in-time copy job. The method further includes performing the point-in-time copy job.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method related to dynamic resource provisioning, includes: receiving, at a computer, a request to facilitate a testing environment, where the request specifies a number and type of resources to be included in the testing environment. A database which lists available resources in systems and/or devices that are in communication with the computer is inspected and the available resources are compared to the number and type of resources specified in the request to be included in the testing environment. In response to determining that a valid combination of the available resources meets the number and type of resources specified in the request to be included in the testing environment, the database is updated to indicate that each of the resources in the valid combination are in use. Moreover, the request is satisfied by returning information about the resources in the valid combination.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes, prior to executing a point-in-time copy job, running a space checker program to generate a list that includes: source data sets that will be used in the point-in-time copy job and a pool of potential target volumes that are eligible to be used for the point-in-time copy job. The method further includes determining that insufficient space is available on the potential target volumes to perform the point-in-time copy job. An on-demand migration is issued against one or more target volumes of the pool of potential target volumes for ensuring there is sufficient space available on the one or more target volumes associated with the issued on-demand migration to perform the point-in-time copy job. The method further includes performing the point-in-time copy job.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: receiving, at a computer, a request to facilitate a testing environment, where the request specifies a number and type of resources to be included in the testing environment. A database which lists available resources in systems and/or devices that are in communication with the computer is inspected and the available resources are compared to the number and type of resources specified in the request to be included in the testing environment. In response to determining that a valid combination of the available resources meets the number and type of resources specified in the request to be included in the testing environment, the database is updated to indicate that each of the resources in the valid combination are in use. Moreover, the request is satisfied by returning information about the resources in the valid combination.

Abstract: Described are techniques for utilization of a disaster recovery site including a method comprising receiving a mirrored data stream at a disaster recovery site from a production site. The mirrored data stream includes a workload instruction stored in a designated location of the mirrored data stream. The workload instruction indicates an operation to perform on a set of data that is replicated between the production site and the disaster recovery site and a time indicator indicating a correct version of the set of data. The method further comprises generating a consistency point by retrieving replicated data from the disaster recovery site corresponding to the correct version of the set of data in the production site. The method further comprises performing the operation on the consistency point, generating an output, and transmitting the output to the production site.

Abstract: Methods that can batch process data on a remote system or disaster recovery (DR) site are disclosed herein. One method includes determining, by a processor, a first performance level for a production site based on a set of first resources for the production site and determining a second performance level for a DR site based on a set of second resources for the DR site. The method further includes allocating a portion of a workload scheduled for processing on the production site to the DR site for processing on the DR site in response to determining that a set of predetermined parameters related to the first performance level, the second performance level, or both the first performance level and the second performance level is satisfied. Apparatus, systems, and computer program products that can include, perform, and/or implement the methods are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method verifying mirroring of source data units to target data units. Source data units in a source storage are mirrored to corresponding target data units in a target storage. The source data units are read to compare to corresponding mirrored target data units. The read source data units that did not match the corresponding target data units are saved in source version data. The source data units that were read and did not match the corresponding target data units are read. The mirroring of the source data units are verified in response to determining that for each mirrored source data unit, one of a read source data unit and the read source data unit saved in the source version data matches the corresponding target data unit.

Abstract: Described are techniques for utilization of a disaster recovery site including a method comprising receiving a mirrored data stream at a disaster recovery site from a production site. The mirrored data stream includes a workload instruction stored in a reserved record set type. The workload instruction indicates an operation to perform on a set of data that is replicated between the production site and the disaster recovery site and a time indicator indicating a correct version of the set of data. The method further comprises generating a consistency point by retrieving replicated data from the disaster recovery site corresponding to the correct version of the set of data in the production site. The method further comprises performing the operation on the consistency point, generating an output, and transmitting the output to the production site.

Abstract: Described are techniques for utilization of a disaster recovery site including a method comprising receiving a mirrored data stream at a disaster recovery site from a production site. The mirrored data stream includes a workload instruction stored in a reserved record set type. The workload instruction indicates an operation to perform on a set of data that is replicated between the production site and the disaster recovery site and a time indicator indicating a correct version of the set of data. The method further comprises generating a consistency point by retrieving replicated data from the disaster recovery site corresponding to the correct version of the set of data in the production site. The method further comprises performing the operation on the consistency point, generating an output, and transmitting the output to the production site.

Abstract: Described are techniques for utilization of a disaster recovery site including a method comprising receiving a mirrored data stream at a disaster recovery site from a production site. The mirrored data stream includes a workload instruction stored in a designated location of the mirrored data stream. The workload instruction indicates an operation to perform on a set of data that is replicated between the production site and the disaster recovery site and a time indicator indicating a correct version of the set of data. The method further comprises generating a consistency point by retrieving replicated data from the disaster recovery site corresponding to the correct version of the set of data in the production site. The method further comprises performing the operation on the consistency point, generating an output, and transmitting the output to the production site.

Abstract: Methods that can batch process data on a remote system or disaster recovery (DR) site are disclosed herein. One method includes determining, by a processor, a first performance level for a production site based on a set of first resources for the production site and determining a second performance level for a DR site based on a set of second resources for the DR site. The method further includes allocating a portion of a workload scheduled for processing on the production site to the DR site for processing on the DR site in response to determining that a set of predetermined parameters related to the first performance level, the second performance level, or both the first performance level and the second performance level is satisfied. Apparatus, systems, and computer program products that can include, perform, and/or implement the methods are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method verifying mirroring of source data units to target data units. Source data units in a source storage are mirrored to corresponding target data units in a target storage. The source data units are read to compare to corresponding mirrored target data units. The read source data units that did not match the corresponding target data units are saved in source version data. The source data units that were read and did not match the corresponding target data units are read. The mirroring of the source data units are verified in response to determining that for each mirrored source data unit, one of a read source data unit and the read source data unit saved in the source version data matches the corresponding target data unit.

Abstract: A method for managing storage functions in a data replication environment is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes continually monitoring for changes to a storage configuration at a secondary site. Upon detecting changes to the storage configuration at the secondary site, the method transmits remote metadata describing the changes to the primary site and stores the remote metadata at the primary site. The method then initiates a storage management function at the primary site which is mirrored to the secondary site. In order to perform the storage management function, the method reads the remote metadata at the primary site to determine the storage configuration at the secondary site. The method then performs the storage management function at the primary site in a way that takes into account the storage configuration at the secondary site. A corresponding apparatus, system, and computer-readable medium are also disclosed and claimed herein.

Abstract: A method for managing storage functions in a data replication environment is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes continually monitoring for changes to a storage configuration at a secondary site. Upon detecting changes to the storage configuration at the secondary site, the method transmits remote metadata describing the changes to the primary site and stores the remote metadata at the primary site. The method then initiates a storage management function at the primary site which is mirrored to the secondary site. In order to perform the storage management function, the method reads the remote metadata at the primary site to determine the storage configuration at the secondary site. The method then performs the storage management function at the primary site in a way that takes into account the storage configuration at the secondary site.

Abstract: Provided is a method for maintaining mirror and storage system copies of volumes at multiple remote sites. A first server maintains a mirror copy relationship between a first storage system at a first site and a second storage system at a second site. The first server performs a first point-in-time copy operation from the first storage system to a first storage system copy, wherein the data for the first storage system copy is consistent as of the determined point-in-time. The first server transmits a command to a second server to create a point-in-time copy of the second storage system. The second server processes mirror data transferred from the first server as part of the mirror copy relationship to determine when to create a second point-in-time copy. The second server performs the second point-in-time copy operation.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for maintaining mirror and storage system copies of volumes at multiple remote sites. A first server maintains a mirror copy relationship in a computer readable storage medium between a first storage system at a first site and a second storage system at a second site to mirror data at the first storage system to the second storage system, wherein the first and second sites connect over a network. The first server performs a first point-in-time copy operation from the first storage system to a first storage system copy, wherein the data for the first storage system copy is consistent as of the determined point-in-time, wherein the point-in-time copy operation is completed upon creating a data structure indicating data for the first storage system copy as located at the first storage or the first storage system copy. The first server transmits a command to a second server to create a point-in-time copy of the second storage system.

Abstract: Provided are a system and article of manufacture for maintaining data in a distributed computing environment. Data is stored at a primary storage site. A data structure is processed indicating an association of data sets in the stored data, secondary storage sites, and update frequencies. In response to processing the data structure, a determination is made of one of a plurality of secondary storage sites and a determination is made of at least one data set to transmit to the determined secondary storage site at an update frequency. The determined data set is transmitted to the determined secondary storage site according to the update frequency.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for distributing data. It is determined that a source storage device is becoming a bottleneck. One or more blocks to be moved from the source storage device to one or more other storage devices are identified. The one or more other storage devices are selected. Copy services are used to move the blocks from the source storage device to the one or more other storage devices. A metadata store is updated with locations of the blocks that have been moved.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for processing a request. When the request is to read a data unit, information regarding the closest physical block locations is returned. When the request is to write to the data unit, information regarding one or more source block locations is returned, wherein the write is applied to one or more source blocks of the data unit. When a number of requests for the data unit exceed a threshold level and at least one quality of a service policy is not being met, a copy of the one or more source blocks of the data unit is created at a location selected based on proximity to at least one client computer from which the number of requests are high.