IBM i Backup SnapShot Software for IBM FlashSystem Storwize DS8000 EMC VMAX PowerMax PureStorage

IBM i Backup SnapShots creates an identical copy of a production LPAR on a target LPAR in less than a second using a single IBM i command, enabling an IBM i backup on secondary LPAR without impacting production. The IBM i Backup SnapShot software runs from the source LPAR and manages all the processes on source and target LPARs, HMC, VIOS and external storage, including creating the target LPAR on the fly, and initiates the IBM i backup without interfering with production processes. The IBM i Backup SnapShot software initiates the backup on the Target LPAR using your current backup processes and runs exactly as if it were running from production, whether you are using BRMS, IBM i commands, Save21 or scripts. Every operation occurring on the Target LPAR is displayed in real-time in a product log on the Source LPAR, as well as the System and BRMS logs.

The IBM i Backup SnapShot software automates the SnapShot or FlashCopy feature inherent to your existing storage to make an identical copy of the source IBM i LPAR. Any IBM i Power system on V7R1 or higher can use the IBM i Backup SnapShot software in conjunction with supported external storage systems, and no other requirements other than disk space required for the target LPAR. Supported external IBM i storage systems include IBM FlashSystem, IBM Storwize SAN, IBM SVC, IBM DS8000, EMC VMAX, EMC Power-Max, PureStorage and some other enterprise class storage systems. The IBM i Backup SnapShot software supports VIOS partitions, as well as non-VIOS partitions that are directly attached via Fiber. The target LPAR will require between 5 to 20% of Source LPAR’s disk space.

IBM i Backup SnapShots do NOT require IBM PowerHA, BRMS, IBM SVC, IBM Copy Services Manager CSM, or a controller. However, the IBM i Backup SnapShot solution does support these products and can integrate with any of these products. The IBM i Backup SnapShot software also does not require a controlling partition. The IBM i Backup SnapShot software provides all the tools needed to automate the entire IBM i backup and restore processes by issuing a simple command from the source LPAR. IBM i Backup Snapshots can be initiated by BRMS, using existing backup scripts, the Save21 feature or other processes currently in use in your environment. IBM i Backup SnapShot supports the *SYSBAS Base System ASP as well as an iASP.

The only requirement for using IBM i Backup SnapShots is the external storage with its corresponding SnapShot feature, such as IBM FlashCopy, IBM SnapShot, Tivoli Storage FlashCopy and Spectrum Snapshot features included with IBM FlashSystems and made available with IBM Spectrum Virtualize Software. Non-IBM supported storage products such as EMC VMAX, EMC Power-Max and PureStorage will utilize their own internal SnapShot features. The IBM i Backup SnapShots solution also supports sending backups to IBM Cloud for customers with a IBM Cloud Storage Solutions for IBM i 5733-ICC license.

Optional IBM i Backup Snapshots Features Include:
The Safe-Guarded Copy add-on enables the IBM i Source LPAR to trigger a Safe-Guarded Copy function (a.k.a. immutable copy) that prevents anyone or anything from altering or deleting the IBM i Backup on the disk. It also allows you to automate the full recovery process, so you can regularly test the SafeGuarded Copies to verify they are usable on a different LPAR.
The Partition Reconfiguration add-on automates the secondary LPAR configuration changes so that it can be used for other purposes, such as for Testing, Acceptance, Pre-Production, to use as a Data Warehouse to run SQL and Reports, Data Analytics or for Anonymizing Data for security projects.
The Role-Swap Automation add-on enables a IBM i switchover to another LPAR running on a different CEC, using a single command. It performs all the necessary checks, and changes hardware and operational processes needed to ensure a smooth failover for IBM i users. The IBM i Role-Swap Automation feature requires a managing LPAR on the Target IBM i System, and either Metro-Mirror or Global-Mirror replication. The IBM i Role-Swap Automaiton feature is only supported with IBM FlashSystems, IBM SVC and IBM Storwize storage systems.
The Partition Management Central add-on allows many LPARs to be centrally managed by a single LPAR, and can control all LPARs as one.
The Message Monitoring and Alerting add-on allows administrators to receive alerts when errors occur or when the status changes. Alerts can be sent via email or to a MSGQ and can also calling a program and send event logs to an external enterprise monitoring solution.
The IBM i Event Log Forwarding add-on enables secure, real-time IBM i event log integration with industry leading enterprise monitoring and help desk tools, such as Zabbix, Nagios, solarwinds, PRTG, checkmk, Shinken and Pandora.

Common use cases for using IBM FlashCopy and SnapShots for IBM i Backups
- create frequent instant backups, including full system saves without disrupting production
- to run SQL and reporting over the target LPAR, or feed a data warehouse
- to create additional LPARs for testing and keep in synchronized with production data
- to create anonymized partitions for compliance requirements
- to create many protected recovery backups also known as immutable snapshots or ‘SafeGuarded Copy’ throughout the day for quick recovery due to security breaches such as a ransomware encryption attack
- to export backups to IBM Cloud Storage Solutions for IBM i (5733-ICC)

The IBM i Backup SnapShot deployment is an efficient, error proof re-engineering of the SnapShot and FlashCopy utilities and administration using IBM i programming, ensuring consistency and simplicity for IBM i Administrators. All processes are created, managed and automated by the IBM i Backup SnapShot software running on the source IBM i LPAR, orchestrating all the required processes of the source and target LPARs, HMC, VIOS and external storage. Administrators may use a single command from the source IBM i LPAR to initiate the process, or run from a scheduler, of which is the most common method. Another useful command included with the software is the ability to transfer objects from a target LPAR to another LPAR. The command allows administrators to send Files *FILE, Data Areas *DTAARA, Out Queues *OUTQ and entire libraries to another LPAR.

IBM i Backup SnapShot is licensed per LPAR as a perpetual license or as subscription license. IBM i Backup SnapShot licenses can be transferred to a new Power system at no extra cost. Temporary licenses are provided free of charge for declared disasters, role swap testing and for other non-production type testing purposes.

Installation and setup takes less than a couple hours to complete for common use cases. A Proof of Concept POC or trial is offered for free and encouraged for those that are finding this solution to be to hard to believe.