Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for determining whether to extend a drain time to copy data blocks from a first storage to a second storage. A data structure is generated indicating data blocks in the first storage to copy to the second storage. A drain operation is initiated to copy the data blocks indicated in the first storage to the second storage for a drain time period. Write requests to the data blocks indicated in the data structure are queued during the drain time period, wherein the queued write requests are not completed while queued. Metric information based on the writes that occur to data blocks in the first storage are gathered during the drain time period; and in response to expiration of the drain time period, a determination is made from the gathered metric information of whether to continue the drain operation or terminate the drain operation.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product to preserve data integrity in a mirror and copy environment is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method may include receiving a write command and data from a host device. The method may further include writing the data to a primary storage device and attaching a primary sequence number associated with the primary storage device to the write command, thereby providing a numbered write command with a command sequence number. The numbered write command may then be transmitted to a secondary storage device. The method may further include comparing the command sequence number to a secondary sequence number associated with the secondary storage device. If the command sequence number matches the secondary sequence number, then the command may be executed. Otherwise, it may be ignored.

Abstract: Tracks of data or other data units are copied from a primary storage system to a secondary storage system. For multiple-track or multiple-data unit transfers, a group of tracks or data units which are sequentially related are transferred. A respective task is defined at the primary storage system for monitoring a progress of the transfer of each of the respective data units in a group. A state is maintained for monitoring a progress of the transfer of the group responsive to the progress of each of the tasks. A normal state is selected when there are no failed tasks. A recovery state is selected when there is a failure, and the status of the remaining tasks is being ascertained. A retry state is selected following the recovery state to retry the failed tasks. A failed state indicates an unrecoverable failure.

Abstract: Tracks of data or other data units are copied from a primary storage system to a secondary storage system. For multiple-track or multiple-data unit transfers, a group of tracks or data units which are sequentially related are transferred. A respective task is defined at the primary storage system for monitoring a progress of the transfer of each of the respective data units in a group. A state is maintained for monitoring a progress of the transfer of the group responsive to the progress of each of the tasks. A normal state is selected when there are no failed tasks. A recovery state is selected when there is a failure, and the status of the remaining tasks is being ascertained. A retry state is selected following the recovery state to retry the failed tasks. A failed state indicates an unrecoverable failure.

Abstract: A method to provide information from a first information storage and retrieval system to a second information storage and retrieval system. Applicants' method provides a first information storage and retrieval system, where that first information storage and retrieval system comprises (N) PPRC adapters and information, and provides a second information storage and retrieval system. The method generates and saves an Established Path Bitmap which recites each of the (N) PPRC adapters, and generates an Available Path Bitmap. If a PPRC adapter is in communication with the secondary information storage and retrieval system, then the method adds that adapter to the Available Path Bitmap. The Established Path Bitmap and the Available Path Bitmap are used for subsequent PPRC operations.

Abstract: A method to provide information from a first information storage and retrieval system to a second information storage and retrieval system, where the first information storage and retrieval system comprises (N) PPRC adapters and information. The method generates and saves an Established Path Bitmap which recites the (N) PPRC adapters, and generates an Available Path Bitmap. If a PPRC adapter is in communication with the secondary storage system, then the method adds that adapter to the Available Path Bitmap. The primary information storage and retrieval system generates a PPRC task comprising a flag set to “off”. The method copies the Available Path Bitmap as a Working Bitmap, and generates a PPRC request comprising a flag set to “on”, selects one of the adapters recited in the Working Bitmap, and provides the PPRC request to that selected adapter. The method then once attempts to provide information to the second information storage and retrieval system using the selected adapter.