automate your backups with iseries operator belinda daub cistech senior technical consultant...
TRANSCRIPT
Automate your Backups with iSeries Operator
Belinda Daub
CISTECH Senior Technical Consultant
Agenda
Overview
Automated Backup and OperationsWhat’s new with iSO?
Disaster Recovery Planning
Q&A
Configuration and Verification
Overview
Backup and Recovery RequirementsSave XA and user data on a daily basisSave application libraries regularlySave system configuration, system objects and
security settings regularlyFull System save – minimum quarterly and
before/after system updates or upgradesManage media rotation according to defined
retention scheduleDocumented and tested recovery plan
OverviewWhy automation is not simple:
Someone has to prepare the environment for the nightly backup to be successfulEnd jobs for users who did not log offEnd the U-Jobs that are runningFinish batchesStart the java environments for XA Rel 7 clientsAuxiliary machines need to be reset when backup is active
Nightly jobs must be run while the environment is not in use
Saving the system has to be done outside the MAPICS backup
Backup verification is tediousNo tools for logging or tracking media contents and
expiration
Overview
CISTECH’s iSeries Operator (iSO) can help:Automate operator functions typically required to
insure successful backups. Automate certain MAPICS jobs that cannot run
during the day due to conflicts.Restarts XA Release 7 java servers and servicesSupports a comprehensive Disaster Recovery
Strategy encompassing iSeries operating environment, custom systems, and MAPICS data.
Provides tools for tracking media and reporting backup information to auditors.
Reduce risk of data lossMaximize productivity of operations
personnelReduce labor costsTune application for optimal efficiency and
performance
iSeries Operator Benefits
Common response from users responsible for backups:“Thanks for giving me back my evenings and weekends!”
Automated Backup and Operations
Respects MAPICS save requirements:Ends and starts JournalingFinishes IM, AR & REP closed and suspended batchesCleans up used batchesEnds jobs that would prevent savesEnds active U-jobsRun cleanup of transaction and log files
Additional Features: Configure daily and weekly jobs Save with active batches End/restart jobs that will prevent success Restart only U-jobs that were ended when save is complete Run MAPICS file reorganization Run MAPICS Reports including MRP Run custom day-end programs Output queue cleanup Configure backup alerts via email Simplified verification of backup status Media tracking tools Tape volume ID using physical media label
Automated Backup and Operations
Media labels and tracking featuresProcess Repetitive batchesImproved control for multiple jobsXA Rel 7.8 compatibility
Restart the Global EnvironmentReset the auxiliary servers
Annual software maintenance availableFix supportUpgrades Enhancements and OS/XA Release compatibility
What’s New with iSO?
Configuration and Verification
Configuration options:Daily and weekly jobsSystem ComponentsUser Libraries and FoldersMAPICS processingBefore/After commandsBreak message and delayE-mail NotificationsMedia labeling and tracking (Integrator required)
Configuration and Verification
Daily Backup Jobs:MAPICS environments
How to handle batchesLibraries and folders
contain user data or change significantlySelect some or all user libraries, with option to omit
Save to disk or tapeBefore/After commands
Keep users off the systemEnd/start application jobsSubmit MAPICS reports and cleanupCall custom programsString multiple backup jobs in sequence
Configuration and Verification
Weekly Backup Job:System save
System ConfigurationSecurity DataAll User LibrariesDocuments and FoldersIBM and User Directories
IPL (required for system components)Before/After commands
Purge output queues automaticallyReorganize XA Files
Restart U-Jobs in all environments
Configuration and Verification
Configuration and Verification
Configuration and Verification
Media Handling features:Volume ID *SAME
Initialize your tapes to match the physical labelConfigure expiration interval (number of days)Backup will keep the volume id the same on initialization
Configure e-mail notificationsSend message with backup information
“Backup for 06/09/2009 on Volume 0006L4 initialized with expiration 06/23/2009”
Log this information in the media catalogAlways know what’s on a tape
Configuration and Verification
Media Catalog:Manage rotation and retention Indicate location of mediaLog details of what was not saved for each backup
iSeries Job Scheduler:View and hold backupsOmit dates when tapes will not be loadedReplaced when changes are made to the
configuration of the jobs
Configuration and Verification
Configuration and Verification
Configuration and Verification
Libraries/Folders to Save:AllSelected (enter each library/folder to save)Omit – save all user libraries except those listed
(not valid for folders)
None
Configuration and Verification
Commands to Execute: Configure for each job Before commands
End non-MAPICS jobs that may prevent successful saves End TCP interfaces to keep users off
After commands Run preconfigured MAPICS commands to generate reports and
perform cleanup Restart non-MAPICS jobs Restart interfaces to let users on Purge selected output queues Save disk images to tape
Configuration and Verification
Configuration and Verification
Verifying your backup: Review messages Review reports
Jobs that were ended Display of tape contents
Review joblog If messages indicate errors Scan for and log objects not saved Fix errors for next backup
Review history Shows all libraries/folders ever saved Identify when a library was removed Identify volume id of last save
Configuration and Verification
Configuration and Verification
Configuration and Verification
Configuration and Verification
30 Thousand Feet view of Recovery:1. Obtain temporary or replacement system2. Restore the LIC and Base OS using last full system save3. Restore the OS and application libraries, along with
configuration and user security from your last ABWEEKLY4. Recover the latest data from your last ABDAILYxy save for each
environment5. Verify your system and environments6. Turn over to users
Disaster Recovery
Recovery Considerations: How long will it take to get a replacement system?
Consider a business continuity solution that provides temporary use of compatible hardware
It can take 5 to 10 days to get a replacement system from IBM How will your users conduct business while the system is
unavailable? Make sure you have access to critical data and forms Define the process users will employ while the system is down and
when it is available again How can you insure your ability to recover?
Provide for temporary system Access to selected users for testing of critical applications and system
resources (printers, etc.) Routine tests of backup media – selected restores
Disaster Recovery Planning
Begin by developing a Disaster Recovery Strategy
CISTECH iSeries Operatorincludes 2 days for
implementation of a single environment and disaster recovery
planning assistance to get you started
Disaster Recovery Planning
Implement a backup strategy that supports your recovery objectives What is your backup downtime window? What data should be saved and how often? Who will perform and verify the backups? What are the retention requirements? What are the media rotation requirements? Where will the tapes be stored off site? Is recovery testing a requirement?
Disaster Recovery Planning
CISTECH can help you implement a Business
Continuity Plan that protects your investors and your customers by
allowing you to continue operations if a disaster occurs!
Business Continuity
CISTECH offers solutions that provide for all components of a Business Continuity Plan:Fail-safe Daily Backups using iSeries OperatorWarm site system in Matthews loaded with your
environment in 24 hours or lessDocumented Disaster Recovery procedures Quarterly testing of connection to temporary systemAnnual disaster simulations with detailed evaluation
and score cardRegular review and improvementStoring and Retrieval of data and forms needed for
users to operate during downtime
Business Continuity
Business Continuity
InternetVPN tunnel
CISTECH Business Continuity ServicesWarm Site Backup &Recovery
Solution Architecture
CUSTOMER iSeriesIBM AS/400
Laser printer
Other Devices
CISTECH iSeriesIBM AS/400
Dedicated processorLPAR
Customer Network
CISCO Device
CISCO Device
In a disaster, CISTECH would be available to:Provide systems and operations support in the event
your IT Department is unavailable as a result of the disasterBackupsIT Help Desk (user support)System Operations
Assist with recovery to permanent replacement system
Business Continuity
CISTECH helped us:Reduce effort to achieve Daily MAPICS backupReduce downtime for a disaster to less than 24
hours• a reduction of over 60%
Achieve 45% monthly cost savingsAchieve ROI in less than 1 year
• Including cost of equipment for Baremetal NT backup system.
Darrel CookVT Miltope
Success Story! VT Miltope
