Exploring Storage Management Efficiencies and Provisioning - Understanding IBM TotalStorage Productivity Center and IBM TotalStorage Productivity Center with Advanced Provisioning

78 Exploring Storage Management Efficiencies and Provisioning

򐂰 Monitoring performance metrics across storage subsystems from a single

console.

򐂰 Receiving timely alerts to enable event action based on customer policies.

򐂰 Viewing performance data from the Performance Manager database:

You can view performance data from the Performance Manager database in

both graphical and tabular forms.

The Performance Manager allows an IBM TotalStorage Multiple Device

Manager user to access recent performance data in terms of a series of

values of one or more metrics, associated with a finite set of components per

device. Only recent performance data is available for gauges. Data that has

been purged from the database cannot be viewed. You can define one or

more gauges by selecting certain gauge properties and saving them for later

referral. Each gauge is identified through a user-specified name, and once

defined, a gauge can be “started”, which means it is then displayed in a

separate window of the IBM TotalStorage Multiple Device Manager GUI. You

can have multiple gauges active at the same time.

Gauge definition will be accomplished through a wizard, to aid in entering a

valid set of gauge properties. Gauges are saved in the Performance Manager

database and retrieved upon request. When you request data pertaining to a

defined gauge, the Performance Manager builds a query to the database,

retrieves and formats the data and returns it to you. Once started, a gauge is

displayed in its own window, and displays all available performance data for

the specified initial date/time range. The date/time range can be changed

after the initial gauge widow is displayed. An example is shown in Figure 3-24.

Chapter 3. Components 79

Figure 3-24 Performance Manager gauge

򐂰 Focusing on storage optimization through identification of best LUN:

The Volume Performance Advisor is an automated tool to help the storage

administrator pick the best possible placement of a new LUN to be allocated,

that is, the best placement from a performance perspective. It also uses the

historical performance statistics collected from the supported devices, to

locate unused storage capacity on the SAN that exhibits the best (estimated)

performance characteristics. Allocation optimization involves several

variables that are user controlled, such as required performance level and the

time of day/week/month of prevalent access. This function is fully integrated

with the Device Manager function, this is done so that when a new LUN is

added, for example, to the ESS, the device manager can seamlessly select

the best possible LUN.

80 Exploring Storage Management Efficiencies and Provisioning

For detailed information about the Performance Manager installation and use

refer to the IBM Redbook entitled “IBM TotalStorage Multiple Device Manager

Usage Guide” SG24-7097.

3.3.4 IBM TotalStorage Replication Manager

The Replication Manager’s job is to provide a single point of control for all

replication activities. This role is filled by the IBM TotalStorage Multiple Device

Manager - Replication Manager. Given a set of source volumes to be replicated,

the Replication Manager will find the appropriate targets, perform all the

configuration actions required, and ensure the source and target volumes

relationships are set up.

If given a set of source volumes that represent an application, the Replication

Manager will group these in a consistency group, give that consistency group a

name, and allow you to start replication on the application. Replication Manager

will start up all replication pairs and monitor them to completion. If any of the

replication pairs fail, meaning that the application is out of sync, the Replication

Manager will suspend them until the problem is resolved, re-sync them, and

resume the replication. The Replication Manager provides complete

management of the replication process.

Data replication is the core function required for data protection and disaster

recovery. It provides advanced copy services functions for supported storage

subsystems in the SAN.

Replication Manager administers and configures the copy services functions and

monitors the replication actions. Its capabilities consist of the management of two

types of copy services: the Continuous Copy (also known as Peer-to-Peer,

PPRC, or Remote Copy), and the Point-in-Time Copy (also known as

FlashCopy).

A point-in-time copy is normally requested for backup or testing purposes

(see Figure 3-25). The task initiated creates a table of references to the

segments/blocks of the volume(s) to be copied, these blocks are copied to the

target which is a snapshot of the data as is was when the request was initiated.

Updates to the source are not transferred to the target. This type of copy is very

useful for taking a synchronized copy of data while updates are continuing on the

source.