IBM System Storage Business Continuity Solutions Overview

118 IBM System Storage Business Continuity Solutions Overview

Further definition of the tiers of Business Continuity

In this IBM Redbook, all of the Business Continuity technologies we describe are listed by tier

level.

Assignment of tier levels is subjective and an approximation, not an exact science. Large

systems will tend to shift the tier levels to the right; small scale systems will tend to shift the

tiers to the left. As part of the planning process, you should create a tiers of Business

Continuity chart specific to your organization, and use it as a specific organization tool within

your own organization. We offer here a generalized view of the tiers.

BC Tier 0: No off-site data

Businesses with a Tier 0 BC solution have no Business Continuity Plan.

򐂰 There is no saved information, no documentation, no backup hardware, and no

contingency plan.

򐂰 Typical recovery time: The length of recovery time in this instance is unpredictable. In fact,

it may not be possible to recover at all.

8.5.1 BC Tier 1: Data backup with no hot site

Businesses that use Tier 1 BC solutions back up their data typically with tape, at an off-site

facility. Depending on how often backups are made, they are prepared to accept several days

to weeks of data loss, but their backups are secure off-site. However, this tier lacks the

systems on which to restore data.

Tier 1 Business Continuity solutions:

򐂰 Pickup Truck Access Method (PTAM): Sending physical tapes

򐂰 Disk Subsystem or Tape based mirroring to locations without processors

򐂰 IBM Tivoli Storage Manager

BC Tier 2: Data backup with a hot site

Businesses using Tier 2 BC solutions make regular backups on tape. This is combined with

an off-site facility and infrastructure (known as a hot site) in which to restore systems from

those tapes in the event of a disaster. This tier of solution will still result in the need to recreate

several hours to days worth of data, but it is faster and more consistent, compared to BC tier

1 in recovery time.

Tier 2 Business Continuity solutions:

򐂰 PTAM with hot-site available

򐂰 IBM Tivoli Storage Manager

BC Tier 3: Electronic vaulting

Tier 3 BC solutions utilize components of Tier 2. Additionally, some mission critical data is

electronically vaulted. This electronically vaulted data is typically more current than that which

is shipped via PTAM. We also add higher levels of automation; as a result there is less data

recreation or loss.