[marcw8087]

Hello all, I recently was lumbered with the unenviable task of teaching myself how to configure a P570 with VIO servers and several LPARs. As you can imagine, I'm still very much learning but so far I have worked out how to configure, and have got running - 4 LPARs, with two VIO servers at the back end configured to use SEA failover on them, and MPIO configured at the LPAR level to give disk resilience over the two VIOs.

The problem I have is that I also have a TS3310 tape library that I'd like to be available to all my LPARs so I can back them up on a timed basis. At first I assumed I could virtualise it, but it seems I can't so I'm now presuming I have to script the DLPAR operations (with some logic for locking the device to an LPAR if it's in use) to move the library at set time slots to back up each LPAR onto.

Is there any reference material available, or sample scripts, to help me learn how to achieve this please?

Many thanks for all your help in advance, great forum and very interesting reading for a newbie like me.

Marc.

[ross.mather]

Actually rather than move the tape library about - which will cost you all sorts of problems in knowing where the files are there why not do this:
1. Create a TSM Server on on of the partitions on the p570.
2. Create an extra Private VLAN for backups.
3. Backup everything via a TSM Schedule to the TSM Server and let it write all the data to tape.

Otherwise if you want LAN free backups then you'll need to allocate a fibre card to each LPAR.

[marcw8087]

Hi there, thanks for the rapid response...

According to the powers that be, TSM is expensive... Any other options that wouldn't cost my company cash? God bless projects with tight / no budgets.

[ross.mather]

Ok now I'm confused, you have a big tape library - but no TSM to support that? If you don't use TSM how are you going to know which files are backed up on which tape?

It may save you money now - but when you have a disaster and need the info on the tapes how will you know which one is which? It kind of defeats the object of having a tape library if you don't then manage the library?

[marcw8087]

Hey Ross, I'm with you all the way - I'm going to point the people who spec'd and ordered this gear in your direction I think... I had no input to the purchase of the equipment, basically I didn't know about the project until the hardware was in place. Good eh?

So TSM is the only viable option, is what we're saying?

[ross.mather]

Maybe you need to get your manager a new pair of glasses so he can see the end of his nose.

You want to have the manager go to the guy who sold him the kit without TSM and have the question asked - how do I manage this wonderful library?