Re: EMC DASD vs. IBM DASD and MIMIX for 24/7 operation

We have been using EMC DASD for a number of years now without any issue.
We've used Symmetrix 4 & Symmetrix 5 with AS/400 Model 730 and currently
use an i5 570 with a DMX 1000.

The main problems we where facing was the outrage due backups and
overnight processing. We use the TimeFinder/CopyPoint functionality to
create the BCV (Business Continuance Volume) and save it off to tape.
The outage due to the TimeFinder operation is between 5 & 6 minutes
while the subsystems are ended and the system is put into a restricted
state to allow the cache to be flushed to disk.

CopyPoint runs on our DEV Iseries 820 and reads the data from the BCV's.

So the outage period has gone from 6.5 hours to 6 minutes.

The main point on controversy, I've come across over the years is the
issue about load source extenders. Not supported by IBM (until recently)
and EMC were altering microcode for them work. (EMC assure me they were
not.)

Other points to note.

TimeFinder has an OS/400 interface; we use a CL program to automate the
process of creating the BCV's.

Using the Load Source Extenders you can IPL the second AS/400 off the
BCV image, giving you a second copy of the data, handy for testing or a
monthends etc.


With relation to re-orgs,
We had a reorg estimated to take 6 days on a AS/400 730 and a Symmetrix
5.
We ran the reorg in 12 hours on the i570 and the DMX1000. The increase
in grunt obliviously helped here, there is no inherent functionally in
the TimeFinder product to cater for reorgs.


We have now implemented SRDF between the i570/DMX1000 and the
730/Symmetrix 5 with no major problems. It works fine, the users do not
know that its in place. (the way it should be.)

If you need any thing else let me know.


   




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message: 1
date: Mon, 12 Dec 2005 10:56:13 -0500
from: rob@xxxxxxxxx
subject: Re: EMC DASD vs. IBM DASD and MIMIX for 24/7 operation

I hate EMC dasd also because of a bad experience years ago.

However, Al, your customer should have checked their EMC level.  Much
like 
we all have to check the Memo to User to find out that certain load
source 
drives change, tape drives no longer supported, etc.

Rob Berendt