Re: BRMS sharing 1 tape between 2 systems

[Jim Oberholtzer <midrangel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Evan,

If they are willing to consider a tape library, you might consider a VTL 
with the current tape technology to create mylar tape if needed.  Over a 
three year period when you take into account the tape carts, 
maintenance, speed, etc. the VTL starts to be competitive.  IBM, 
CrossRoads, and others all build units that will work in the environment 
you are describing.

Jim Oberholtzer
Chief Technical Architect
Agile Technology Architects


On 5/7/2013 2:17 PM, Evan Harris wrote:
> Hi Paul
>
> Thanks, you have confirmed what I suspected.
>
> I can think of a lot of good reasons for BRMS to do this, but my customer
> is going to find it slightly inconvenient.
>
> Maybe I can finally get them to think about a tape library.
>
>
> On Wed, May 8, 2013 at 12:39 AM, Steinmetz, Paul<PSteinmetz@xxxxxxxxxx>wrote:
>
> > >  Tapes can easily be shared between systems, but the 1st system to use a
> > >  tape becomes the owner of that tape. That tape can then only be used by
> > >  that system. Once its expired, the ownership can change.
> > >  Also, you can only APPEND to tapes owned by that system.
> > >
> > >  I wanted to do same scenario, could be done, per IBM.
> > >  BRMS append rules below.
> > >
> > >  When you select *YES at the Append to media prompt, BRMS takes the
> > >  following steps to select the
> > >  volumes to append:
> > >  v    When selecting volumes for media libraries, BRMS determines if the
> > >  last volume that is used
> > >  can also be used for the append operation. The media class is the
> > >  determining factor. When
> > >  selecting volumes for stand-alone drives, BRMS issues message BRM1472,
> > >  which nominates suitable
> > >  candidate volumes.
> > >  v    BRMS selects an active volume with attributes that match those in the
> > >  appropriate media
> > >  policy. BRMS
> > >  uses the following to check if the volume is available for appending:
> > >  -  Same media class
> > >  -  Same storage location
> > >  -  Same expiration date
> > >  -  Owned by the requesting system
> > >  -  Same move policy
> > >  -  Same secure attribute
> > >  v
> > >
> > >  -----Original Message-----
> > >  From:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx  [mailto:
> > >  midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Ofrob@xxxxxxxxx
> > >  Sent: Tuesday, May 07, 2013 8:20 AM
> > >  To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
> > >  Subject: Re: BRMS sharing 1 tape between 2 systems
> > >
> > >  Jack's email seems to indicate that what BRMS is trying to do is to
> > >  communicate with the other system and ask it "are you done with all the
> > >  data on this tape?  Like, is it expired?  And, if so, may I use it on my
> > >  system?".  I can see BRMS doing that.
> > >
> > >  If it's standalone, how do you share it between systems?  Dynamic lpar I/O
> > >  move?
> > >
> > >  Can a virtual tape be used?  If so, will a DUPMEDBRM support appending?
> > >  And, will it support appending to a tape also used by another system?
> > >
> > >  My guess is that you have two or more lpars.  They don't fill up a single
> > >  tape each.  You'd like to combine them together so that when you ship them
> > >  offsite you can minimize the number of tapes tied up in a
> > >  father/grandfather/etc situation.  Interesting.  Good luck.  If you can't
> > >  figure it out open up a question pmr with IBM.  If they tell you it's not
> > >  currently supported open up a DCR.  Sounds reasonable.  If anyone can keep
> > >  track of which tape contains which object from which system after all that,
> > >  it will be BRMS.
> > >
> > >
> > >  Rob Berendt
> > >  --
> > >  IBM Certified System Administrator - IBM i 6.1 Group Dekko Dept 1600 Mail
> > >  to:  2505 Dekko Drive
> > >             Garrett, IN 46738
> > >  Ship to:  Dock 108
> > >             6928N 400E
> > >             Kendallville, IN 46755
> > >  http://www.dekko.com
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >  From:   Evan Harris<auctionitis@xxxxxxxxx>
> > >  To:     Midrange Systems Technical Discussion<midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>,
> > >  Date:   05/07/2013 02:49 AM
> > >  Subject:        BRMS sharing 1 tape between 2 systems
> > >  Sent by:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >  I'm working on a site running V7R1 TR6 that uses BRMS to manage their
> > >  backups. BRMS networking is set up and active and media can be seen
> > >  between
> > >  systems,
> > >
> > >  They have a scenario where they want to backup 2 guest partitions to a
> > >  single tape. They only have standalone tape drives available, no tape
> > >  library.
> > >
> > >  - The drive is available on the second system
> > >  - The media class is set to SHARE YES.
> > >  - The backup control group specifies APPEND *YES
> > >
> > >  Backups fails with message BRM1518 Volume xxx cannot be used on this
> > >  system.
> > >
> > >  Second level text provides additional information that "media management
> > >  indicates that the volume is not to be shared between systems" and
> > >  provides
> > >  details of the back on the first partition.
> > >
> > >  Is it actually possible to do what the customer wants to do ?
> > >
> > >  Is the "sharing" that BRMS does between systems limited to sharing common
> > >  media and tracking, but backups to be appended to a tape must be appended
> > >  to a tape already used by the same system ?
> > >
> > >  I can understand why this might be so, but would like to confirm one way
> > >  or
> > >  another. Any references to manuals or documentation would be appreciated.
> > >
> > >  --
> > >
> > >  Regards
> > >  Evan Harris
> > >  --