Abstract: A method for more effectively utilizing computing resources in a data replication environment is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method detects, at a primary system, activity occurring on the primary system. This activity is recorded in systems logs located at the primary system. The method automatically mirrors the system logs from the primary system to a secondary system that is in a mirroring relationship with the primary system. The system logs are analyzed at the secondary system. In the event abnormal activity is detected in the system logs at the secondary system, the method automatically sends, from the secondary system to the primary system, one or more commands that are designed to address the abnormal activity. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes identifying a first data set to be backed up, where the first data set is stored on a first storage volume; removing empty data tracks from the first data set to create an intermediary data set; storing the intermediary data set at a plurality of secondary storage volumes different from the first storage volume; and creating a backup data set for the first data set, utilizing the intermediary data set.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes identifying a first data set to be backed up, where the first data set is stored on a first storage volume; removing empty data tracks from the first data set to create an intermediary data set; storing the intermediary data set at a plurality of secondary storage volumes different from the first storage volume; and creating a backup data set for the first data set, utilizing the intermediary data set.

Abstract: A method for more effectively utilizing computing resources in a data replication environment is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method detects, at a primary system, activity occurring on the primary system. This activity is recorded in systems logs located at the primary system. The method automatically mirrors the system logs from the primary system to a secondary system that is in a mirroring relationship with the primary system. The system logs are analyzed at the secondary system. In the event abnormal activity is detected in the system logs at the secondary system, the method identifies, on the secondary system, a data set that is associated with the abnormal activity. A snapshot is taken of this data set and saved on the secondary system for later analysis. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for more effectively utilizing computing resources in a data replication environment is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method detects, at a primary system, activity occurring on the primary system. This activity is recorded in systems logs located at the primary system. The method automatically mirrors the system logs from the primary system to a secondary system that is in a mirroring relationship with the primary system. The system logs are analyzed at the secondary system. In the event abnormal activity is detected in the system logs at the secondary system, the method identifies, on the secondary system, a data set that is associated with the abnormal activity. A snapshot is taken of this data set and saved on the secondary system for later analysis. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for more effectively utilizing computing resources in a data replication environment is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method detects, at a primary system, activity occurring on the primary system. This activity is recorded in systems logs located at the primary system. The method automatically mirrors the system logs from the primary system to a secondary system that is in a mirroring relationship with the primary system. The system logs are analyzed at the secondary system. In the event abnormal activity is detected in the system logs at the secondary system, the method automatically sends, from the secondary system to the primary system, one or more commands that are designed to address the abnormal activity. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

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: A method for allocating storage space in a volume to a new data set is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes maintaining, for a volume, a record of available storage elements. The method further receives an allocation request to allocate available storage elements in the volume to accommodate a new data set. The method allocates available storage elements in the volume to the new data set to fulfill the allocation request. In doing so, the method favors storage elements that have been available for a longer amount of time over storage elements that have been available for a shorter amount of time. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method for allocating storage space in a volume to a new data set is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes maintaining, for a volume, a record of available storage elements. The method further receives an allocation request to allocate available storage elements in the volume to accommodate a new data set. The method allocates available storage elements in the volume to the new data set to fulfill the allocation request. In doing so, the method favors storage elements that have been available for a longer amount of time over storage elements that have been available for a shorter amount of time. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method for preserving and recovering a deleted data set is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes, upon deleting a data set from a volume, gathering metadata associated with the data set. This metadata is saved in a volume table of contents (VTOC) associated with the volume. Upon writing over a storage area occupied by the data set on the volume, the method deletes the metadata from the VTOC. Upon receiving an instruction to restore the data set, the method determines if the metadata is present in the VTOC. If the metadata is present in the VTOC, the method uses the metadata to rebuild control information associated with the data set and thereby restore the data set to the volume. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

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: A fuel system includes a fuel pump and a jet pump assembly. The jet pump assembly includes a first fuel passage defined by a first tube. The jet pump assembly also includes a second fuel passage which receives pressurized fuel from the fuel pump, the second fuel passage having a primary orifice centered about and extending along a primary orifice axis such that the primary orifice axis is directed into the first fuel passage and such that the primary orifice introduces a first flow of fuel into the first fuel passage. The second fuel passage also has a secondary orifice centered about and extending along a secondary orifice axis which is not coincident with the primary orifice axis and which is directed at an inner surface of the first tube and the secondary orifice introduces a second flow of fuel into the first fuel passage which impinges the inner surface.

Abstract: A method for preemptively migrating data in a tiered storage system is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes identifying a regularly scheduled event that is associated with an increase in I/O activity. The method further identifies a virtual storage resource (e.g., file, data set, logical volume) associated with the increase in I/O activity. A timeline is then analyzed to determine timing for the regularly scheduled event. The method automatically promotes the virtual storage resource from lower-performing storage media to higher-performing storage media immediately prior to a start of the regularly scheduled event. The method automatically demotes the virtual storage resource to the lower-performing storage media after completion of the regularly scheduled event. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes determining to temporarily extend an initial volume to be defragmented, identifying a plurality of additional volumes pooled with the initial volume within a storage group, identifying an area on each of the plurality of additional volumes pooled with the initial volume within the storage group to use for temporarily extending the initial volume, allocating the identified area on each of the plurality of additional volumes as a temporary extension of the initial volume, including, for each of the plurality of additional volumes, creating an entry in a VTOC of the additional volume that indicates that a non-VSAM data set resides at a location of the identified area on the additional volume, setting a plurality of pointers within a VTOC of the initial volume, where the plurality of pointers includes a pointer to the identified area on additional volumes, and defragmenting the initial volume.

Abstract: A method for distributing I/O workload across a plurality of processor complexes is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes providing a storage system environment comprising multiple processor complexes. Each processor complex provides access to one or more storage volumes. The processor complexes may be contained within a single storage system or spread across multiple storage systems. Upon allocating data sets in the storage system environment, the method selects storage volumes to store the data sets. In doing so, the method takes into account processor complexes that are associated with each of the storage volumes. More specifically, the method selects storage volumes in a way that more evenly distributes I/O workload across the multiple processor complexes. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for partially reorganizing a volume is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes logically dividing a volume into multiple regions. The method further enables a computing system to perform a data reorganization operation on a particular region of the multiple regions, while enabling I/O to continue to the other regions. In the event a request for a data set allocation is received for the particular region while the data reorganization operation is taking place, the method automatically performs the data set allocation within other regions of the volume. When the data reorganization operation is complete, the method automatically moves the data set allocation from the region in which it was performed to the region associated with the original request.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for selecting first data sets in a first storage group to swap with second data sets in a second storage group. First data sets are stored in a first storage group and second data sets are stored in a second storage group. A determination is made for a value for each of at least one of the first data sets based on at least one priority of at least one job processing I/O activity at the first data set. At least one of the first data sets for which the value was determined is selected to migrate to the second storage group based on the value.

Abstract: A method for dynamically freeing storage space in a tiered storage system includes reading attribute values associated with data sets residing on a first storage tier. The method compares characteristics of the data sets to the attribute values to determine which initial data sets qualify to be moved from the first storage tier to a second storage tier. The method further determines whether movement of the initial data sets creates a desired amount of free space on the first storage tier. In the event the movement does not create the desired amount of free space, the method modifies the attribute values, determines which additional data sets qualify to be moved from the first storage tier to the second storage tier, and recalculates the amount of free space that would be generated. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.