Hi Barbara, I can't comment on the IBM products, since I have no exposure to them. We have used the CA products, and are very happy with them.
What you use for backup depends on how you use the system. Do you have lots of CMS users, or do you just use CMS for VM and Linux administration? With lots of CMS users, you will need a file level backup program, such as VM:Backup. If you use CMS only for administration, then you can probably get by with volume level backups using something like DDR, which comes with VM, or VM:Backup Hidro. Remember that ANY full volume backups on Linux disks MUST be done with Linux down, otherwise you will not get usable backups. Do you do frequent backups? If yes, you definitely want a tape manager. If your backups are infrequent, then you could make do with manual tape management, although I would not recommend it (unless you are using something like 3592 tapes, you will have multiple backup tape volumes, and it is SO easy to mount the wrong one). Note that to use multiple tape volumes for a disk volume backup with DDR and a tape manager, you need to do a small mod to DDR so that it will call the tape manager to mount the next scratch tape. Peter -----Original Message----- From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:ib...@listserv.uark.edu] On Behalf Of Barbara Andrews Sent: December 16, 2009 13:53 To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Recommendation on Backup product for z/VM We are looking for a replacement to our current backup methods and are looking for recommendations. We are currently running several Linux virtual machines on two VM LPARs and have been backing these up, as well as our VM system volumes, via our z/OS system using ADRDSSU. We also use TSM to give us database file level restores for data within our linux systems. However, things are changing and we need to find a replacement method for the ADRDSSU backups. Our z/OS system is very outdated (V1.3) and is slated to be decommissioned soon. We are considering purchasing either IBM's Backup and Restore Manager for z/VM, or CA's VM:Backup to server our immediate needs. And in the future perhaps other VM Management products offered by IBM (Operations Manager, Tape Manager) or CA (VM:Tape, VM:Schedule, VM:Operator, etc.). Has anyone evaluated these products, especially for backup, and have a recommendation on which is better to use? Are there any other options we should be considering? TIA. The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review retransmission dissemination or other use of or taking any action in reliance upon this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient or delegate is strictly prohibited. If you received this in error please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer. The integrity and security of this message cannot be guaranteed on the Internet. The sender accepts no liability for the content of this e-mail or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of information provided. The recipient should check this e-mail and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The sender accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this e-mail. This disclaimer is property of the TTC and must not be altered or circumvented in any manner.
