The Enterprise Tape Library 3494 includes two models that allow two Virtual Tape Server (VTS) Models B10, B18, or B20 to be interconnected into a single system to form a Peer-to-Peer Virtual Tape Server (PtP VTS), with no single point of failure that prevents access to data. The VTS Peer-to-Peer Copy features provide automatic copy of virtual volumes into both VTSs in a PtP VTS. When a volume is requested, the PtP VTS automatically retrieves one of the copies from either VTS. For even greater data protection, the VTSs in a PtP VTS can be in different locations to protect against disasters. A PtP VTS uses robust distributed servers (VTCs) to interconnect two VTSs (Model B10, B18, or B20) using ESCON or FICON attachments. The VTC can be a Model AX0 housed in a Virtual Tape Frame 3494 Model CX0 or a feature on the Virtual Tape Frame 3494 Model CX1.

The VTS family provides a cost/performance solution to:

• Exploit tape capacity
• Exploit tape resources
• Reduce tape storage and operating costs

Exploiting Tape Capacity

The VTS integrates advanced tape drives, robotics, and disk technologies to exploit the cartridge capacity and data rate of the 3590 Tape Drive. The PtP VTS, which presents an image of four or eight fully configured 3490E tape subsystems (64, 128, or 256 drives) to attached hosts, will initially store tape volumes (called virtual volumes) on the integrated attached disk storage in compressed form. Then, after the tape volume is demounted, it writes the virtual volume to a 3590 tape cartridge (owned by the VTS) with other previously written virtual volumes to form a stacked volume and fill a cartridge with data. Previously written tape volumes, called logical volumes, that are stored on a tape cartridge, will be moved back to integrated disk storage when referenced by an attached host processor. Demounted logical volumes residing on the integrated disk storage can be remounted for immediate access without actually mounting the tape cartridge containing the logical volume. A virtual volume can store up to the full capacity of the cartridges on the attached tape drives. Virtual and logical volumes only consume the actual number of data bytes in the disk storage and on the 3590 cartridge. Large datasets can span multiple virtual volumes. A copy of the virtual volume is kept in the integrated disk storage until the disk storage is needed to make room for other virtual volumes.

Exploiting Tape Resources

The VTS will move entire tape volumes between the tape volume cache and the 3590 Tape Drives at one time. The VTS provides bandwidth management to service multiple open tape volumes and exploit the transfer rate of the 3590. The result is a reduction in the number of required tape drives.

Reducing Tape Storage and Operating Costs

By placing multiple logical 3490E tape volumes onto a single 3590 tape volume, the number of required tape cartridges and tape drives, and the automated storage capacity is greatly reduced. The floor space occupied by those cartridges, tape drives, and automation systems is correspondingly reduced. The reduction in cartridges, tape drives, and automation also brings a reduction in operations handling to process the workload. This reduction can help lower the total tape operating costs by lowering the purchase price and maintenance of hardware and reducing overall operating costs.

The PtP VTS enhances those capabilities by automatically providing a copy of all virtual volumes in the PtP VTS using either of two modes of operation:

• Immediate Copy - which creates a copy in the companion connected VTS upon receipt of a Rewind Unload command and provides the highest level of protection of your data in the VTS

• Deferred Copy - which schedules creation of a copy in the companion connected VTS after receipt of a Rewind Unload command as activity permits

"Call Home" Service Support

The "Call Home" function, when activated, automatically opens a service alert when a problem occurs with the 3494 Model B10, B18, B20, AX0, or CX1, or a 3590 Model A60 or A50 Controller in a 3494. The "Call Home" process can also be initiated by a user from the 3494 library manager operator panel for those devices installed in a 3494. A service representative can be sent to the installation and status information can be transmitted to the Support Center for problem evaluation. In addition, "Call Home" allows these service alerts to be sent to a pager service so that multiple people, including the customer, can be notified. This function utilizes the Remote Support Feature or the IBM TotalStorage Master Console. The service representative can activate or deactivate this function on the VTS or VTC, or the 3590 Model A60 or A50 Controller using service menus.

"Call Home" is supported on the 3590 Model A60 and A50 in stand-alone, Silo, and 3494 solutions. As an added benefit, in the 3494 environment, you can initiate the "Call Home" process via the 3494 library manager operator panel.

PtP VTS

A pair of interconnected VTSs in a PtP VTS will appear to attached host processors as a single automated tape library with:

• Four or eight fully configured independent "3490E" tape subsystems with 16 or 32 tape drives each (64, 128, or 256) virtual tape drives total)

• Eight or 16 ESCON channels

• Up to 10.2 TB (with 3:1 compression) of disk storage

• A maximum capacity of 250,000 logical volumes

Each PtP VTS will consist of four or eight VTCs and two VTSs (Models B10, B18, or B20) with each having a minimum of 144 GB of disk storage capacity and four or more 3590 Model H1A, E1A, or B1A Tape Drives. A maximum of 10.2 TB (assuming 3:1 compression) of disk storage will be available for tape volume cache and up to 24 3590 Tape Drives will be available for copy or recall activity.

A copy of all virtual volumes will be maintained in both VTSs. The VTCs will automatically create the second copy and maintain the copy synchronization of the two VTSs. The accessibility of the copy will depend on the mode of operation selected, either "Immediate Copy" or "Deferred Copy". The mode of operation, number of Model AX0s, and distance between components will determine the peak performance of the PtP VTS.

Performance

The performance of the PtP VTS will depend on customer data characteristics and the mode of copy operation selected. In the Deferred Copy mode, the scheduling of a volume copy will be determined by the Virtual Tape Controller and its execution will have a lower priority than host I/O operations and allow a higher peak period bandwidth. If Immediate Copy mode is selected, then the copy operation is performed during the unload processing of the volume and will have a higher priority than host I/O operations.

Remote Operation

The components of the PtP VTS can be separated by ESCON distances up to 26 km to provide the copy of virtual volumes in a remotely located VTS. One of the VTSs and two to eight VTCs in the PtP VTS can be attached to a 3494 that is located up to 26 km from the second VTS and two other VTCs in the PtP VTS that are attached to another 3494. The IBM 2029 Fiber Saver can be used to provide connectivity between a host system and a VTC, and between a VTC and a VTS. The maximum end-to-end distance of the host system to Model AX0 ESCON interface, including the Fiber Saver pair length, is 75 km. The maximum end-to-end distance of the Model AX0 to VTS ESCON interface, including the Fiber Saver pair length, is 50 km. Host system processors can be attached locally to two or four VTCs and remotely to another two or four VTCs; in other words, processors in both locations can be attached to the PtP VTS and process virtual volumes in VTSs in both locations. Extended distance connections can also be provided by channel extenders (virtually unlimited distance) certified for use by providers with a PtP VTS configuration.

VTS With Peer-to-Peer Copy

A VTS with the Peer-to-Peer Copy features is an independently operating distributed server node in a PtP VTS. A Model B10, B18, or B20 with the Peer-to-Peer Copy features incorporates all the functional capability of the Model B10, B18, or B20 except for SCSI host attachment and the Import/Export capability of Advanced Function. The VTS incorporates new channel commands to support large block transfers of compressed logical volumes to and from the VTC. New functions allow the VTC to maintain copy synchronization of the two VTSs and provide expedited deletion of redundant logical volume copies from the tape volume cache.

It is highly recommended that both VTSs be configured with the same disk storage capacity. Each of the VTSs in a PtP VTS continues to operate during scheduled or unscheduled service of the other VTS.

Virtual Tape Controller Model AX0

The Virtual Tape Controller Model AX0 provides interconnection between two VTSs with the Peer-to-Peer copy features and provides two ESCON host attachments for the PtP VTS. Each Model AX0 is an independently operating distributed node within the PtP VTS and continues to operate during scheduled or unscheduled service of another Model AX0. There must be four or eight VTCs in a PtP VTS configuration with each one attaching two VTSs at a distance up to 26 km using ESCON directors or 50KM using and IBM 2029 Fiber Saver. Each Model AX0 also provides two ESCON host attachments each with 64 paths at distances up to 43 km using appropriate ESCON directors. Each Model AX0 provides 16 or 32 (with a B20 only) virtual addresses and transfers data between host channels and the VTSs. For a virtual mount on any of its addresses, the Virtual Tape Controller Model AX0 will select one of the two VTSs to support the requested volume processing activities.

Each Model AX0 will maintain synchronization of the copy of logical volumes, create logical volume copies using large block transfers of compressed logical volumes, balance workload between the VTSs, direct specific volume mounts to the VTS with a cached copy of the requested virtual volume, and provide status displays on a customer-selected Web site via the customer's intranet. When one of the VTSs is off-line for service, all activity will be directed to the remaining active VTS. When a VTS is returned to an active state, each of the Virtual Tape Controllers will resume copy operations to bring the VTSs into synchronization.

A Model AX0 has two modes of operation for creating logical volume copies, either "Immediate Copy" or "Deferred Copy" mode. All Model AX0s within a PtP VTS must use the same mode of operation. In Immediate Copy mode, while both VTSs are active, a Virtual Tape Controller will initiate the creation of a copy of a volume when a Rewind Unload command is received and will signal completion of the Rewind Unload when the copy operation is complete. If the companion VTS is inactive, then the Rewind Unload command will complete without a copy being made, and the copy creation operation will be given priority when the companion VTS returns to active state. In Deferred Copy mode, a Virtual Tape Controller will schedule the copy operation after a Rewind Unload command is received. Completion time of the copy operation will depend on the activity of the VTSs.

For each Model AX0, the customer can select which of the two VTSs is to be used to create a volume, or request that the workload be balanced between the two VTSs.

Each Model AX0 functions as a Web server providing a Web page that may be used to access the Model AX0 for system configuration, status, statistics, and on-line product documentation. This Web page may only be accessed through the Ethernet LAN connection provided on each Model AX0. The configuration and management of the Ethernet LAN connection must be provided by the user and its use is optional.

Virtual Tape Frame Model CX0 and CX1

An IBM TotalStorage Virtual Tape Frame Model CX0 or CX1 provides the housing and power for up to four VTCs. There are two power control compartments, each with its own power cord to allow connection to two power sources. A Model CX0 can be configured with two or four Model AX0s. A Model CX1 can be configured with zero or two Model AX0s.

Standby Virtual Tape Controllers

An additional Virtual Tape Frame Model CX0 or CX1 with four VTCs can be installed as standby for four active VTCs in a PtP VTS configuration. The standby VTCs at the remote site are intended for use where the VTSs are physically separated to provide disaster backup. If all the VTCs at the primary site become unavailable, then, with CE intervention, the remote VTS and the standby VTCs can be started in read/write disconnected mode of operation to provide read and write access to volumes stored in the VTS. A host system must be configured and available to the remote site.

Product Positioning

The IBM TotalStorage Virtual Tape Server (VTS) is a premier tape solution for: Disaster backup Data consolidation Data protection Interoperability It is designed to provide the following benefits: Reduced operating costs, such as: Power Maintenance Operations and support staff Reduced batch window Reduced floor space consumed by tape operations Improved operational quality Increased level of tape automation Improved tape data availability Fast access to data Cross server data sharing Remote dual copy for use with: GDPS Disaster backup and recovery Remote tape vault A VTS can help improve the efficiency of mainframe and open systems tape operations by efficiently using disk storage, tape capacity, and tape speed, and by providing a large number of tape addresses. The VTS provides a wide range of configuration options to address the needs of small and large customers. The VTS allows you to standardize on a single tape technology across multiple diverse hardware and operating systems. Elimination of heterogeneous tape technologies such as DLT, 8mm, or 4mm tape should simplify operating procedures, allow data sharing, and reduce the cost of growth. These benefits make VTS a suitable repository for all your local and remote backups, and archival data. The VTS helps support your business intelligence initiatives by allowing shared volume access between mainframes and open systems platforms. IBM continues to dramatically extend attachability, configurability, and manageability of the VTS family. The features and functions included in the VTS help to extend your investment in VTS, provide a growth path for a growing tape workload, and demonstrate the value of the Seascape Architecture to provide timely features and functions. The performance and capacity features provided with the VTS allow placement of datasets in the VTS, which can eliminate direct use of conventional tape devices. The VTS has two separate features that you can use for disaster backup and recovery: Peer-to-Peer Copy The Peer-to-Peer Copy feature, an IBM solution for disaster recovery, allows the VTS to operate in a Peer-to-Peer VTS (PtP VTS) configuration by interconnecting two VTSs and automatically maintaining volume copies in both VTSs. This option can improve your sequential file data availability and recoverability. The redundant components of the PtP VTS can be separated, thus making it an ideal solution for remote backup and recovery. If you have, or plan to have, a GDPS operation, PtP VTS is an ideal solution for the tape workload through its remote dual copy capability. Alternatively, the entire PtP VTS can be used in a local environment to improve data availability and recoverability. Import/Export Volumes required for disaster backup can be exported from a stand-alone VTS using the import/export facility of the Advanced Function feature. These volumes can be stored remotely and entered into a disaster recovery VTS using the import facility of the Advanced Function feature. The VTS uses disk storage and the unique performance and capacity of the 3590 Tape Drives to help reduce the total cost of ownership of tape solutions for z/OS, OS/390, MVS, TPF, z/VM, VM/ESA, VSE/ESA, AIX, Windows, and UNIX environments.   Model Model Summary Matrix Cartridge Flexible Technology Model Capacity Growth Supported -------- --------- ------------ ------------ CX0 0 2 or 4 AX0s Model AX0   Maximum There can be a maximum of eight Model AX0s in a PtP VTS configuration. The number of Model CX0s used to house the Model AX0s is a customer option. A Model CX0 can be configured with two or four Model AX0s. Customer Setup (CSU) None. Devices Supported Two or four Virtual Tape Controller Model AX0s Model Conversions Model CX0 to Model CX1 Feature Conversions The following feature conversions enable up to two 3494 Model AX0 Virtual Tape Controllers to be installed in a Virtual Tape Frame Model CX1 as a part of the conversion from a Model CX0 to a Model CX1. Feature 4690 to 4691 Feature 9690 to 4691 Feature 9691 to 4691   Technical Description Physical Specifications Operating Environment Limitations Hardware Requirements Software Requirements The IBM TotalStorage Peer-to-Peer Virtual Tape Server (PtP VTS) will interconnect two Model B10, B18, or B20 VTSs with an IBM TotalStorage Virtual Tape Controller Model AX0 to provide both remote and local peer-to-peer copy capability between two VTSs using ESCON connections. It will automatically create a copy of any newly created or updated volume in either VTS transparently to customer applications with no host processor resources required to copy virtual volumes. Either volume copy can be used to satisfy a specific mount request. The interconnected VTSs and Model AX0s can be in separate locations to allow remote copy for remote vaulting applications. A PtP VTS having a local VTS and a remote VTS can enhance the disaster backup and recovery process and improve data availability and recovery. Each component in a PtP VTS is replicated one or more times to maximize access to data and eliminate single points of failure. Access to volumes will be maintained after single and many multiple component failures. Service on one component of the PtP VTS can occur concurrently with the operation of the rest of the PtP VTS. Automatic copy of volumes between two local VTSs will improve data availability, data recovery, and balance workload between the VTSs. The interconnected components of a PtP VTS are: Model AX0s - provide host ESCON attachment and interconnection of two VTSs Model B10, B18, or B20 VTS - Virtual Tape Server with the Peer-to-Peer Copy features Model CX0 - holds two or four Model AX0s Model CX1 - holds two or four VTCs (two or four VTC features on the Model CX1, or two Model AX0s and two Model CX1 VTC features) The Virtual Tape Frame Model CX0 provides the housing and power for two or four Virtual Tape Controller Model AX0s. There are two power control compartments, each with its own power cord to allow connection to two power sources. Physical Specifications Width: 724 mm (28.5 in) Depth: 1036 mm (40.8 in) Height: 1800 mm (70.9 in) Weight: 350 kg (770 lb) (without any Model AX0) Operating Environment Temperature: 10 to 32C (50 to 89.6F) Relative humidity: 20% to 80% Wet bulb temperature: 23C (73.4F) Caloric value: 2457 Btu/Hour (with four Model AX0) Electrical power: 0.8 kVA (with four Model AX0) Noise level: 7.5 Bels idle; 7.5 Bels operating Inrush Current: 100 Amperes (maximum per line cord) Limitations The Model CX0 must include two or four Virtual Tape Controller Model AX0s. Each Model AX0 in a Model CX0 is connected to two VTSs with the Peer-to-Peer Copy feature that can be located up to 26 km away with ESCON cables and directors. Each Model AX0 in a Model CX0 can be attached to two ESCON host systems that are located up to 43 km away with ESCON cables and directors. Hardware Requirements The PtP VTS consists of two VTSs attached to two different 3494s and interconnected with four or eight VTCs contained in one, two, or four Model CX0s or CX1s. The Peer-to-Peer VTS attaches to ESCON channels on ES/3090, ES/9000, S/390, and zSeries systems through the VTC. Using an ESCON Director, the Model AX0 can be up to 43 kilometers from the host system. The Model AX0 is connected by ESCON cables to the VTS which is externally attached to the Tape Library Base Frame Model L10, L12 or L14. Virtual Tape Frame The Virtual Tape Frame Model CX0 is a frame for holding the Model AX0 Virtual Tape Controller Model AX0s. The Model CX0 supplies power for the installed Model AX0s. It contains two power control compartments, each with its own power cord to allow connection to two power sources. Each Model CX0 must contain two or four Model AX0 Virtual Tape Controller Model AX0s by specifying two or four of the following features: 9691 (Factory Install Model AX0 into a Model CX0 Frame) 9690 (Field Merge Model AX0 into a Model CX0 Frame) 4690 (Field Install Model AX0 into a Model CX0 Frame) Software Requirements The PtP VTS appears to attached host system software as four or eight fully configured independent "3490E" tape subsystems with 16 or 32 tape drives each (64,128 or 256 virtual drives total) in a single composite library with associated Cartridge System Tape or Enhanced Capacity Cartridge System Tape cartridges. This allows applications that use IBM's current 3490E tape drives and automation systems to easily use the PtP VTS. The software support is via the Virtual Tape Controller and the VTS.   Publications The Model CX0 is included in the IBM TotalStorage Enterprise Automated Tape Library Introduction and Planning Guide (GA32-0448) and the IBM TotalStorage Enterprise Automated Tape Library Operator Guide (GA32-0449).   Features -- Specify/Special/Exchange No Charge Specify Codes Special Feature Codes -- Chargeable Feature Exchanges No Charge Specify Codes Power Cord The appropriate power cords are attached at the factory except for the following: (#9986) 6-Foot Chicago Power Cord Plant specify only. Additional Specify Codes (#9690) Field Merge Model AX0 into a Model CX0 Frame (For IBM US, No Longer Available as of December 19, 2003) This specify code on the Model CX0 allows the field merge of a Virtual Tape Controller Model AX0 into a Virtual Tape Frame Model CX0 coming from the plant. It notifies the factory to leave a mounting slot available for a field merge of the Model AX0 prior to completion of installation. Each Model CX0 must contain two or four Model AX0s. One feature #9690, #9691, or #4690 must be specified on the Model CX0 for each Model AX0 installed. Maximum: Four. Field Installation: No. The maximum of features #9690 plus #9691 plus #4690 is four. The minimum of features #9690 plus #9691 is two. (#9691) Factory Install Model AX0 into a Model CX0 Frame (For IBM US, No Longer Available as of December 19, 2003) This specify code allows the factory installation of a new Virtual Tape Controller Model AX0 into a new Virtual Tape Frame Model CX0 coming from the plant. This code must appear on both the Model AX0 and CX0 orders. Each Model CX0 must contain two or four Model AX0s. One feature #9690, #9691, or #4690 must be specified on the Model CX0 for each Model AX0 installed. Maximum: Four. Field installation: No. The maximum of features #9690 plus #9691 plus #4690 is four. The minimum of features #9690 plus #9691 is two. Special Feature Codes -- Chargeable (#4690) Field Install Model AX0 into a Model CX0 Frame This feature is required on a Model CX0 to add a Virtual Tape Controller Model AX0 to a currently installed Virtual Tape Frame Model CX0. It provides the mounting hardware for the Model AX0. Each Model CX0 must contain two or four Model AX0s. One feature #9690, #9691, or #4690 must be specified on the Model CX0 for each Model AX0 installed. Maximum: Two. Field installation only. The maximum of features #9690 plus #9691 plus #4690 is four. Feature Exchanges Not available.   Accessories None. Customer Replacement Parts None.   Machine Elements None.   Supplies None. Diskettes None. 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