Last modified on:11.06.10
Description
There are two storage mediums: magnetic tape and disk (DASD). Tape is used for high volume storage and for backup. Disk is used for data that has on-line requirements, where responsiveness is a prerequisite.
Individual DASD production datasets are backed up to tape to protect against data loss. When a production dataset is created or updated, it is backed up to tape by the system. No action is required by the owner of the data. The backups can be restored in the event of data corruption, data loss, hardware malfunction, program error, human error, etc.
In addition to these individual dataset backups, all DASD data is mirrored to a DASD storage unit at a remote site. In the event of a catastrophe resulting in the loss of DASD storage at the local site, the remote site would reflect the data to within a few seconds of the point-in- time when the local unit was lost. Tape data is not mirrored, but critical datasets residing on tape are copied and stored off-site.
There is yet another level of backup provided. Every weekend, a point-in-time copy of the DASD is written to tape and the tapes are transported to a third site for safekeeping. These tapes would be used to restore our DASD environment in the event of a catastrophe claiming both the local and remote storage units.
Business Value
All mainframe data is accessible 24/7 and is protected from unauthorized users.
Customer Profile
All mainframe users are provided this service.
Service Cost
CIO Services Catalog (pdf)
Section: Mainframe Computing Services
Major Cost Drivers/Cost-Saving Tips
- Delete datasets that are no longer needed.
- Don’t create an excessive number of versions (generations).
- Create multi-dataset tape backups, reducing tape mount costs.
How to Order Service
This service is provided by default to all mainframe users.
Date of Last Revision:September 25, 2006
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