Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for replication of data management information. A base replication module replicates a base table on an active server to a first and second standby server. The base table comprises configuration parameters for storage devices, logical volumes, physical interconnections, logical interconnections, and logical subsystems of a storage system, and the like. A session replication module replicates first sessions from a session table stored on the active server to the first standby server and second sessions to the second standby server. The session table stores a plurality of sessions. Each session comprises a plurality of copy sets. The active server manages the sessions using the base table and the session table, and the first and second standby servers do not manage the sessions. A transfer module transfers management of the first sessions to the first standby server.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for switching a volume address association in a point-in-time copy relationship. A copy module creates a point-in-time copy structure of a source volume at a target volume. A migration module copies data from the source volume to the target volume. A detection module detects data corruption in the source volume. A switch module switches a logical volume address from a source volume address of the source volume to a target volume address of the target volume in response to detecting the data corruption, redirecting data reads and writes to the target volume. In one embodiment, a tracking module tracks a current target volume copy of source volume data and redirects an access for source volume data without the current target volume copy to the source volume.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to replicate one or more files between non-symmetric storage systems are disclosed. The method supplies a first storage system comprising a first configuration, a first volume, a first file system, and a first replication appliance comprising first replication appliance memory. The method further supplies a second storage system comprising a second configuration, a second volume, a second file system, and a second replication appliance comprising second replication appliance memory, where the first configuration differs from the second configuration. The first storage system receives a dataset, writes that dataset to the first volume as a first file. Applicants' method then replicates the first file to the second volume as a second file, and maintains in the second replication appliance memory a second replication appliance mapping associating the first file with the second file.

Abstract: A data replication management interface is provided for selecting a state for replicating data from one site to another site. A pictorial representation of and/or a command line for multiple states is displayed. A pictorial representation of a current state is displayed. Each one of the multiple states respectively corresponds to multiple steps to accomplish each one of the multiple states. The multiple states are configured to be individually selected. An individual selection of one of the multiple states causes the multiple steps for the individual selection to be accomplished. The individual selection of one of the multiple states is selected by a user without requiring the user to choose any of the multiple steps to accomplish the individual selection.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a read-before-write storage controller instruction. A sequencer receives an atomic read-before-write instruction comprising new data, a target address for the new data, and an undo log address. An I/O unit reads old data from the target address, writes the old data and the target address to the undo log address, and writes the new data to the target address as directed by the sequencer.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for replication of data management information. A base replication module replicates a base table on an active server to a first and second standby server. The base table comprises configuration parameters for storage devices, logical volumes, physical interconnections, logical interconnections, and logical subsystems of a storage system, and the like. A session replication module replicates first sessions from a session table stored on the active server to the first standby server and second sessions to the second standby server. The session table stores a plurality of sessions. Each session comprises a plurality of copy sets. The active server manages the sessions using the base table and the session table, and the first and second standby servers do not manage the sessions. A transfer module transfers management of the first sessions to the first standby server.

Abstract: A method for replicating a volume of data including UNDO and REDO data replication commands includes identifying a current state of the database through a point in time (PIT) copy of all volumes to be affected, ensuring that enough storage volume is identified to carry out the point in time copies and if not, the appropriate user warning issued notifying the user that the UNDO or REDO functions will not be available for a particular session.

Abstract: A method to optimize the transmission of data from (N) primary backup appliances interconnected to a plurality of second backup appliances by a single communication link, wherein (N) is greater than 1, by transferring a data set to one or more secondary backup appliances by two or more of the (N) primary backup appliances using the communication link, and completing those transfers of the data sets by the two or more primary backup appliances at the same time.

Abstract: In a data processing environment, data is replicated to a remote or secondary storage device in a manner which reduces the adverse performance effects and inefficient bandwidth usage imposed by the conventional one-transaction-at-a-time process. Transactions to be transferred are grouped by a replication manager by selecting transactions having start times earlier than the completion time of a first transaction. Thus, no transaction in a group will be dependent upon any other transaction in the group. Once selected, all transactions in the group may then be transferred to the secondary storage device.

Abstract: A method to select a captain control node from a plurality of interconnected control nodes is disclosed. The method provides by each of the plurality of control nodes a first signal to each of the other control nodes, and then receives by each of the plurality of control nodes, a response signal from each of the other control nodes. The method then calculates by each of the plurality of control nodes individual response times for each of the other control nodes, and determines by each control node its aggregate response time. The method then determines whether to select a captain control node using the aggregate response times. If the captain control node is selected using the aggregate response times, then the method then determines the minimum aggregate response time, and designates the control node having that minimum aggregate response time the captain control node.

Abstract: Modeling a set of images representing a group of data replication states and displaying, to a customer, the group of data replication states and generating the model that graphically displays a copy solution; including creating an image data modeling definition, where the image data modeling definition includes a definition of the set of images representing the group of data replication states. The method also includes creating a group of dynamic images, using the definition of the set of images representing the group of data replication states included in the image data modeling definition, where creating the group of dynamic images includes: specifying how to draw site and role specific parts of the group of dynamic images and specifying how to draw arrows that connect each role of the group of dynamic images.

Abstract: A method is provided to improve the efficiency of the transmission of consistency groups across multiple storage components by ensuring that volume transactions are evenly allocated among backup components. Each volume is initially assigned to a specified backup component. Once a color period begins, volume transactions are transmitted to the assigned backup component. Each backup component accumulates data transfer information for its assigned volumes throughout at least a portion of the color period and calculates a new volume assignment for the next color period. Before the start of the next color period, a captain storage controller transmits any new assignments to the backup components. During a next color period, the process is repeated using the new assignments.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided to improve the efficiency of the transmission of consistency groups across multiple storage components by ensuring that volume transactions are evenly allocated among backup components. Each volume is initially assigned to a specified backup component. Once a color period begins, volume transactions are transmitted to the assigned backup component. Each backup component accumulates data transfer information for its assigned volumes throughout at least a portion of the color period and calculates a new volume assignment for the next color period. Before the start of the next color period, a captain storage controller transmits any new assignments to the backup components. During a next color period, the process is repeated using the new assignments.

Abstract: A method to adjust the data transfer rate for one of (N) primary backup appliances. The method forms by a first primary backup appliance at least one consistent transactions set. The first primary backup appliance receives the (n)th status signal, and the (n+1)th status signal from each of the other (N?1) primary backup appliances. The method calculates the (n)th effective bandwidth for each of the (N) primary backup appliances, the (n)th time to complete for each of the (N) primary backup appliances, and the (n)th effective aggregate bandwidth for all (N) primary appliances. If the (n)th time to complete for the first primary backup appliance is greater than the (n)th time to complete for each of the other (N?1) primary backup appliances, then the method provides at least one consistent transactions set from the first primary backup appliance to a first secondary backup appliance with no delay.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture containing instructions for processing multiple point-in-time consistent data sets. The method consists of creating multiple point-in-time data sets associated with a backup appliance which is associated with backup storage. Upon the transfer of a first update from a primary storage controller to the backup appliance, a determination is made whether the update affects data stored in the backup storage has been unchanged following the creation of the respective data sets. If the update does affect data which is unchanged following the creation of a data set, the current, non-updated data is read from the backup storage. A copy of the current, non-updated data thus read from the backup storage is stored in a storage location which can be one of the data sets or an independent memory location. In addition, pointers are associated with the remaining applicable data sets and directed to the copy at its storage location.

Abstract: A method to adjust the data transfer rate for one of (N) primary backup appliances. The method forms by a first primary backup appliance at least one consistent transactions set. The first primary backup appliance receives the (n)th status signal, and the (n+1)th status signal from each of the other (N?1) primary backup appliances. The method calculates the (n)th effective bandwidth for each of the (N) primary backup appliances, the (n)th time to complete for each of the (N) primary backup appliances, and the (n)th effective aggregate bandwidth for all (N) primary appliances. If the (n)th time to complete for the first primary backup appliance is greater than the (n)th time to complete for each of the other (N?1) primary backup appliances, then the method provides at least one consistent transactions set from the first primary backup appliance to a first secondary backup appliance with no delay.