Abstract: A method, computer system, and a computer program product for collecting performance data on a consistency group boundary is provided. The present invention may include positioning a plurality of software applications into idle mode. The present invention may also include starting a consistency group based on a command from a Global Mirror Master. The present invention may then include collecting a plurality of performance data associated with the started consistency group. The present invention may then include removing a plurality of remaining data associated with the collected plurality of performance data. The present invention may further include ending the collection of the collected plurality of data.

Abstract: A simulation tool provides candidate volume mirror simulation in a data storage system. In one embodiment, user selections are received including a user selection of one or more candidate volumes of a primary data storage system for simulating mirroring to a secondary data storage system. As a function of received user selections, host-to-primary I/O activity to a candidate volume is simulated, recorded and measured over a selected interval of time. In addition, primary-to-secondary mirroring of a selected candidate volume to the secondary data storage system is simulated, recorded and measured over the interval of time. Performance measurements of the candidate volume mirror simulation are output by the simulation tool. Other features and aspects may be realized, depending upon the particular application.

Abstract: A method, system, and program product are provided for processing a host write operation during a recovery operation of a point-in-time copy restore. Provided are blocking the host write operation to the source volume based on whether a track on the source volume is copied to the target volume. A host and the point-in-time copy restore synchronize simultaneous access to the track using a track lock on track access, causing a requestor without the track lock to be queued until the track lock is available.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a computer program product for read-once point-in-time copy includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se, and the program instructions are executable by a storage system manager to cause the storage system manager to perform a method comprising: detecting a read access to one or more data tracks of a target data storage module; setting a value of one or more bits in response to detecting the read access to the one or more data tracks, each of the one or more bits being associated with one of the one or more data tracks. The value of the one or more bits is set to a value configured to prevent a copy-on-write operation being applied to the one or more data tracks to which the read access was detected.

Abstract: From a master node within a chain of nodes, a command is sent to form a consistency group. The command causes the chain of nodes to set, at the master node, a first change recording bitmap (CRB) containing a first set of host writes from a host system to an out of synch (OOS) bitmap. A consistent point of data is created across the chain using the OOS bitmap of the master node. At subsequent non-master nodes, the consistent point of data embodied in the OOS bitmap is drained to form the consistency group. During the draining, a second set of host writes is recorded to a second CRB at the master node. In response to a determining the consistency group has been formed, a second command is sent down the chain to reform the consistency group, wherein the second CRB is takes the place of the first CRB.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for avoiding out-of-space conditions in an asynchronous data replication environment. In one embodiment, such a method creates a consistency group on a primary storage system of an asynchronous data replication environment. The method determines a number of additional extents that will be needed on a secondary storage system to accommodate the consistency group. The number of additional extents is compared to a number of free extents on the secondary storage system. In the event the number of additional extents does not exceed the number of free extents, the method transfers the data from the primary storage system to the secondary storage system. In the event the number of additional extents exceeds the number of free extents, the method automatically takes actions on the secondary storage system to provide the number of additional extents. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A simulation tool provides candidate volume mirror simulation in a data storage system. In one embodiment, user selections are received including a user selection of one or more candidate volumes of a primary data storage system for simulating mirroring to a secondary data storage system. As a function of received user selections, host-to-primary I/O activity to a candidate volume is simulated, recorded and measured over a selected interval of time. In addition, primary-to-secondary mirroring of a selected candidate volume to the secondary data storage system is simulated, recorded and measured over the interval of time. Performance measurements of the candidate volume mirror simulation are output by the simulation tool. Other features and aspects may be realized, depending upon the particular application.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for avoiding out-of-space conditions in an asynchronous data replication environment. In one embodiment, such a method creates a consistency group on a primary storage system of an asynchronous data replication environment. The method determines a number of additional extents that will be needed on a secondary storage system to accommodate the consistency group. The number of additional extents is compared to a number of free extents on the secondary storage system. In the event the number of additional extents does not exceed the number of free extents, the method transfers the data from the primary storage system to the secondary storage system. In the event the number of additional extents exceeds the number of free extents, the method automatically takes actions on the secondary storage system to provide the number of additional extents. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, system, and program product are provided for processing a host write operation during a recovery operation of a point-in-time copy restore. Provided are blocking the host write operation to the source volume based on whether a track on the source volume is copied to the target volume. A host and the point-in-time copy restore synchronize simultaneous access to the track using a track lock on track access, causing a requestor without the track lock to be queued until the track lock is available.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for configuring virtualization of a storage system includes: creating a storage pool for each array designated by an administrator for virtualization; creating one or more volumes for each storage pool; creating or selecting a volume controller designated by the administrator for hosting virtualization; identifying one or more ports of the volume controller; and mapping the one or more volumes to the one or more ports of the volume controller. Corresponding systems and computer program products are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining requirements of a storage system by a planning module. The method also includes calculating, by the planning module, an initial configuration for the storage system, the initial configuration specifying a plurality of components that are interoperable to satisfy the requirements of the storage system. In addition, the method includes outputting a purchase file that describes all components that are specified by the initial configuration of the storage system. Moreover, the method includes outputting a configuration file that is interoperable with at least one of the components specified in the purchase file and is configured to automatically initialize the storage system in response to the components of the storage system being installed. In another embodiment, the method includes a management module receiving the configuration file and monitoring performance metrics of a plurality of workloads of the storage system during operation of the storage system.

Abstract: A method, system, and program product are provided for undoing a point-in-time copy restore. Provided are swapping corresponding tracks between a source volume and a target volume using cache of a storage subsystem to which the source and the target volumes are attached, based on an indicator being set that a track on the source volume is changed since a point-in-time copy. Tracks are moved from the source volume to the target volume based on the indicator being unset.

Abstract: A method for preventing data loss in target volumes of copy service functions is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes detecting a copy service function that copies data from a source volume to a target volume. The method automatically creates, in a different address space than the source volume and target volume, a shadow volume to receive data overwritten on the target volume. The method further automatically establishes a point-in-time copy relationship between the target volume and the shadow volume to preserve data on the target volume as writes are received thereto. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining requirements of a storage system by a planning module. The method also includes calculating, by the planning module, an initial configuration for the storage system, the initial configuration specifying a plurality of components that are interoperable to satisfy the requirements of the storage system. In addition, the method includes outputting a purchase file that describes all components that are specified by the initial configuration of the storage system. Moreover, the method includes outputting a configuration file that is interoperable with at least one of the components specified in the purchase file and is configured to automatically initialize the storage system in response to the components of the storage system being installed. In another embodiment, the method includes a management module receiving the configuration file and monitoring performance metrics of a plurality of workloads of the storage system during operation of the storage system.

Abstract: A method, system, and program product are provided for undoing a point-in-time copy restore. Provided are swapping corresponding tracks between a source volume and a target volume using cache of a storage subsystem to which the source and the target volumes are attached, based on an indicator being set that a track on the source volume is changed since a point-in-time copy. Tracks are moved from the source volume to the target volume based on the indicator being unset.

Abstract: A method, computer system, and a computer program product for collecting performance data on a consistency group boundary is provided. The present invention may include positioning a plurality of software applications into idle mode. The present invention may also include starting a consistency group based on a command from a Global Mirror Master. The present invention may then include collecting a plurality of performance data associated with the started consistency group. The present invention may then include removing a plurality of remaining data associated with the collected plurality of performance data. The present invention may further include ending the collection of the collected plurality of data.

Abstract: A method for swapping out tape cartridges in tape libraries is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes maintaining, in a tape library, old tape cartridges backing up data in a primary storage system. The method adds, to the tape library, new tape cartridges to replace the old tape cartridges. The method then initiates a data transfer process to move active data to the new tape cartridges. This data transfer process first moves active data in less frequently accessed storage elements, followed by active data in more frequently accessed storage elements. During the data transfer process, the method backs up updates to data in the primary storage system to the new tape cartridges. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a computer program product for read-once point-in-time copy includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se, and the program instructions are executable by a storage system manager to cause the storage system manager to perform a method comprising: detecting a read access to one or more data tracks of a target data storage module; setting a value of one or more bits in response to detecting the read access to the one or more data tracks, each of the one or more bits being associated with one of the one or more data tracks. The value of the one or more bits is set to a value configured to prevent a copy-on-write operation being applied to the one or more data tracks to which the read access was detected.

Abstract: A method for swapping out tape cartridges in tape libraries is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes maintaining, in a tape library, old tape cartridges backing up data in a primary storage system. The method adds, to the tape library, new tape cartridges to replace the old tape cartridges. The method then initiates a data transfer process to move active data to the new tape cartridges. This data transfer process first moves active data in less frequently accessed storage elements, followed by active data in more frequently accessed storage elements. During the data transfer process, the method backs up updates to data in the primary storage system to the new tape cartridges. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer program product for command result verification is configured to receive a command and an expected result from a command line interface, execute the command, receive one or more result codes resulting from the execution of the command, determine whether the one or more result codes satisfy the expected result, and send a response to the command line interface in response to determining whether the one or more result codes satisfy the expected result.