Re: z/vm page packs at DR
For your initial IPL at DR, you won't need your PAGE packs at all... yes, the IPL will complain. As long as AUTOLOG1/2 isn't kicking off lots of other machines at DR time, you'll be just fine. Then an exec can format the page volumes... re-ipl and all is good. You will need spool space, so you might as well copy it (or keep a small spool area available only with the NSS files, JUST for DR). On 08/09/2011 07:03 AM, Crabtree, Anne D wrote: I currently back up all my z/vm packs (res,page,spool) via an adrdssu job on z/os each Sunday. At the DR site, I run an adrdssu restore job for these packs. This method works fine, however, I’m wondering if backing up the page packs is necessary? I was thinking that maybe I could backup only 1 page pack so that I can get z/vm up and then just init the remaining packs after coming up. Since the page packs are listed as cpvols in system config, would z/vm even come up if it couldn’t find all of them? Seems like a waste of time to back them up… At DR site, we bring up a z/os “rescue” system in order to run restore jobs for both z/os and z/vm volumes. Afterwards, our z/vm and z/os systems run as second level guests. Maybe I need a “rescue” z/vm system as well? Just wondering what everyone else does. Anne D. Crabtree System Programmer WV Office of Technology Data Center 1900 Kanawha Blvd East Charleston, WV 25305 (304)558-5914 ext 58292 (304)558-1441 fax -- Rich Smrcina Velocity Software, Inc. http://www.velocitysoftware.com Catch the WAVV! http://www.wavv.org WAVV 2012 - April 13-17, 2012 Covington, KY
Re: z/vm page packs at DR
No need to re-ipl .. just format the page volumes, allocate as page, label correctly and attach them to the system... Scott Rohling On Tue, Aug 9, 2011 at 6:13 AM, Rich Smrcina r...@velocitysoftware.comwrote: For your initial IPL at DR, you won't need your PAGE packs at all... yes, the IPL will complain. As long as AUTOLOG1/2 isn't kicking off lots of other machines at DR time, you'll be just fine. Then an exec can format the page volumes... re-ipl and all is good. You will need spool space, so you might as well copy it (or keep a small spool area available only with the NSS files, JUST for DR). On 08/09/2011 07:03 AM, Crabtree, Anne D wrote: I currently back up all my z/vm packs (res,page,spool) via an adrdssu job on z/os each Sunday. At the DR site, I run an adrdssu restore job for these packs. This method works fine, however, I’m wondering if backing up the page packs is necessary? I was thinking that maybe I could backup only 1 page pack so that I can get z/vm up and then just init the remaining packs after coming up. Since the page packs are listed as cpvols in system config, would z/vm even come up if it couldn’t find all of them? Seems like a waste of time to back them up… At DR site, we bring up a z/os “rescue” system in order to run restore jobs for both z/os and z/vm volumes. Afterwards, our z/vm and z/os systems run as second level guests. Maybe I need a “rescue” z/vm system as well? Just wondering what everyone else does. Anne D. Crabtree System Programmer WV Office of Technology Data Center 1900 Kanawha Blvd East Charleston, WV 25305 (304)558-5914 ext 58292 (304)558-1441 fax -- Rich Smrcina Velocity Software, Inc. http://www.velocitysoftware.**com http://www.velocitysoftware.com Catch the WAVV! http://www.wavv.org WAVV 2012 - April 13-17, 2012 Covington, KY
Re: z/vm page packs at DR
On Tue, Aug 9, 2011 at 6:39 AM, Scott Rohling scott.rohl...@gmail.comwrote: No need to re-ipl .. just format the page volumes, allocate as page, label correctly and attach them to the system... Scott Rohling On Tue, Aug 9, 2011 at 6:13 AM, Rich Smrcina r...@velocitysoftware.comwrote: For your initial IPL at DR, you won't need your PAGE packs at all... yes, the IPL will complain. As long as AUTOLOG1/2 isn't kicking off lots of other machines at DR time, you'll be just fine. Then an exec can format the page volumes... re-ipl and all is good. You will need spool space, so you might as well copy it (or keep a small spool area available only with the NSS files, JUST for DR). On 08/09/2011 07:03 AM, Crabtree, Anne D wrote: I currently back up all my z/vm packs (res,page,spool) via an adrdssu job on z/os each Sunday. At the DR site, I run an adrdssu restore job for these packs. This method works fine, however, I’m wondering if backing up the page packs is necessary? I was thinking that maybe I could backup only 1 page pack so that I can get z/vm up and then just init the remaining packs after coming up. Since the page packs are listed as cpvols in system config, would z/vm even come up if it couldn’t find all of them? Seems like a waste of time to back them up… At DR site, we bring up a z/os “rescue” system in order to run restore jobs for both z/os and z/vm volumes. Afterwards, our z/vm and z/os systems run as second level guests. Maybe I need a “rescue” z/vm system as well? Just wondering what everyone else does. Anne D. Crabtree System Programmer WV Office of Technology Data Center 1900 Kanawha Blvd East Charleston, WV 25305 (304)558-5914 ext 58292 (304)558-1441 fax -- Rich Smrcina Velocity Software, Inc. http://www.velocitysoftware.**com http://www.velocitysoftware.com Catch the WAVV! http://www.wavv.org WAVV 2012 - April 13-17, 2012 Covington, KY
Re: z/vm page packs at DR
Anne: I worked with Disaster Recovery for about 10 years. Some observations: Real DR are different than Test DR: the major factor is Time. On a real disaster you don't have time to think, to plan, to execute... And have a lot of persons making pressure... So, the tip is: use the maximum of automation possible. If you have a MVS at the DR site, explore it. From my experience, restore page volumes from tape is faster than format them. You can run several restore Jobs in parallel. To be faster, you can start with a one Page volume and one spool volume, (according to Rick's suggestion: a small spool volume with only the SDF) After the VM IPL, you can add page/spool volumes on fly. Working with tapes, one VM can be live in less than 10 minutes, and you will got time to do the adjusts latter. Good luck, __ Clovis From: Rich Smrcina r...@velocitysoftware.com To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Date: 09/08/2011 09:13 Subject: Re: z/vm page packs at DR Sent by: The IBM z/VM Operating System IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU For your initial IPL at DR, you won't need your PAGE packs at all... yes, the IPL will complain. As long as AUTOLOG1/2 isn't kicking off lots of other machines at DR time, you'll be just fine. Then an exec can format the page volumes... re-ipl and all is good. You will need spool space, so you might as well copy it (or keep a small spool area available only with the NSS files, JUST for DR). On 08/09/2011 07:03 AM, Crabtree, Anne D wrote: I currently back up all my z/vm packs (res,page,spool) via an adrdssu job on z/os each Sunday. At the DR site, I run an adrdssu restore job for these packs. This method works fine, however, I’m wondering if backing up the page packs is necessary? I was thinking that maybe I could backup only 1 page pack so that I can get z/vm up and then just init the remaining packs after coming up. Since the page packs are listed as cpvols in system config, would z/vm even come up if it couldn’t find all of them? Seems like a waste of time to back them up… At DR site, we bring up a z/os “rescue” system in order to run restore jobs for both z/os and z/vm volumes. Afterwards, our z/vm and z/os systems run as second level guests. Maybe I need a “rescue” z/vm system as well? Just wondering what everyone else does. Anne D. Crabtree System Programmer WV Office of Technology Data Center 1900 Kanawha Blvd East Charleston, WV 25305 (304)558-5914 ext 58292 (304)558-1441 fax -- Rich Smrcina Velocity Software, Inc. http://www.velocitysoftware.com Catch the WAVV! http://www.wavv.org WAVV 2012 - April 13-17, 2012 Covington, KY
Re: z/vm page packs at DR
NSSes (e.g. CMS, CMSFILES, CMSPIPES, and may more) can easily be backed up using SPXTAPE to write them to tape (preferably every night). Thus the restore at DR is pretty simple (as long as you are very careful to send a copy of the tapes off-site, along with a hardcopy listing of which NSS tape volsers were created on which date). Back when we conducted offsite DR tests, we did just that. The SPOOL volumes at D.R. were created by an EXEC that would autolog a string of userids that had just been added by another EXEC to the DR floor system’s directory. Those autologs permitted concurrent formatting of many DASD, Each autologed ID (conveniently named ‘-volser-‘ where the ‘volser’ was the volume serial number of the volume to be formatted), would format its specific SPOOL, PAGE, or TDISK volume (naturally, just cylinder zero of TDISK vols). A follow-up step instructed how to restore the NSSes from the SPXTAPE backup. A cleanup exec at the end of the D.R. test would carefully delete the ID’s we had added to the floor system’s directory, along with any EXECs and control files that we had added. Mike Walter Aon Corporation The opinions expressed herein are mine alone, not my employer's. From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Hans Rempel Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 9:36 AM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: z/vm page packs at DR Hi Anne: I have never been in a real DR situation but enough DRs were we did have a time limit to complete. Today we have high capacity/fast tapes so I would follow Clovis suggestion. Start tape restores and put your feet up or ready yourself for the VM IPL once VM base system is restored. One thing you need to consider are the Saved Segments which are in SPOOL space. When the system is shipped most if not all are on the spool section of VM sysres. If any of these get re-saved (via service) they may end up on any SPOOL volume. Therefore make sure all your spool volumes are available before IPL –or be prepared to resave missing segments which is not a good idea in a pressure situation. VM will use SPOOL for paging if not enough PAGE space is available. PAGE is not as critical as SPOOL and can be added later sometime shortly after the IPL (before IPLing of your production systems – since running out of SPOOL space is very bad) using some automated CMS service machine/exec. You need to consider the number of page volumes versus backup time/tape usage. If you have 4 or 5 page volumes I would backup. If you have 20 pages volumes I would consider an exec to reformat them at the DR site. Hans From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Crabtree, Anne D Sent: August-09-11 9:34 AM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: z/vm page packs at DR Good point.. Maybe I’ll continue to back them up but for the test, I could IPL as soon as I have one restored (if needed). Anne D. Crabtree System Programmer WV Office of Technology Data Center 1900 Kanawha Blvd East Charleston, WV 25305 (304)558-5914 ext 58292 (304)558-1441 fax From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of gclo...@br.ibm.com Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 9:28 AM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: z/vm page packs at DR Anne: I worked with Disaster Recovery for about 10 years. Some observations: Real DR are different than Test DR: the major factor is Time. On a real disaster you don't have time to think, to plan, to execute... And have a lot of persons making pressure... So, the tip is: use the maximum of automation possible. If you have a MVS at the DR site, explore it. From my experience, restore page volumes from tape is faster than format them. You can run several restore Jobs in parallel. To be faster, you can start with a one Page volume and one spool volume, (according to Rick's suggestion: a small spool volume with only the SDF) After the VM IPL, you can add page/spool volumes on fly. Working with tapes, one VM can be live in less than 10 minutes, and you will got time to do the adjusts latter. Good luck, __ Clovis From: Rich Smrcina r...@velocitysoftware.com To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Date: 09/08/2011 09:13 Subject: Re: z/vm page packs at DR Sent by: The IBM z/VM Operating System IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU For your initial IPL at DR, you won't need your PAGE packs at all... yes, the IPL will complain. As long as AUTOLOG1/2 isn't kicking off lots of other machines at DR time, you'll be just fine. Then an exec can format the page volumes... re-ipl and all is good. You will need spool space, so you might as well copy it (or keep a small spool area available only with the NSS files, JUST for DR). On 08/09/2011 07:03 AM, Crabtree, Anne D wrote: I currently back up all my z/vm packs (res,page,spool) via an adrdssu job on z/os each Sunday. At the DR site, I
Re: z/vm page packs at DR
Not that you need the page packs to be able to IPL z/VM at the DR site. But, as you use adrdssu on z/OS to restore the z/VM packs, you could start some jobs on z/OS to run ICKDSF CPVOL FORMAT ... RANGE(0,xxx) TYPE(PAGE, 1,xxx). I guess that should work as ICKDSF is supposed to be the same on z/OS, z/VM and z/VSE. 2011/8/9 Mike Walter mike.wal...@aonhewitt.com NSSes (e.g. CMS, CMSFILES, CMSPIPES, and may more) can easily be backed up using SPXTAPE to write them to tape (preferably every night). Thus the restore at DR is pretty simple (as long as you are very careful to send a copy of the tapes off-site, along with a hardcopy listing of which NSS tape volsers were created on which date). ** ** Back when we conducted offsite DR tests, we did just that. The SPOOL volumes at D.R. were created by an EXEC that would autolog a string of userids that had just been added by another EXEC to the DR floor system’s directory. Those autologs permitted concurrent formatting of many DASD, Each autologed ID (conveniently named ‘-volser-‘ where the ‘volser’ was the volume serial number of the volume to be formatted), would format its specific SPOOL, PAGE, or TDISK volume (naturally, just cylinder zero of TDISK vols). A follow-up step instructed how to restore the NSSes from the SPXTAPE backup. ** ** A cleanup exec at the end of the D.R. test would carefully delete the ID’s we had added to the floor system’s directory, along with any EXECs and control files that we had added. ** ** Mike Walter Aon Corporation The opinions expressed herein are mine alone, not my employer's. ** ** *From:* The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] *On Behalf Of *Hans Rempel *Sent:* Tuesday, August 09, 2011 9:36 AM *To:* IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU *Subject:* Re: z/vm page packs at DR ** ** Hi Anne: I have never been in a real DR situation but enough DRs were we did have a time limit to complete. Today we have high capacity/fast tapes so I would follow Clovis suggestion. Start tape restores and put your feet up or ready yourself for the VM IPL once VM base system is restored. ** ** One thing you need to consider are the Saved Segments which are in SPOOL space. When the system is shipped most if not all are on the spool section of VM sysres. If any of these get re-saved (via service) they may end up on any SPOOL volume. Therefore make sure all your spool volumes are available before IPL –or be prepared to resave missing segments which is not a good idea in a pressure situation. VM will use SPOOL for paging if not enough PAGE space is available. PAGE is not as critical as SPOOL and can be added later sometime shortly after the IPL (before IPLing of your production systems – since running out of SPOOL space is very bad) using some automated CMS service machine/exec. You need to consider the number of page volumes versus backup time/tape usage. If you have 4 or 5 page volumes I would backup. If you have 20 pages volumes I would consider an exec to reformat them at the DR site. ** ** Hans *From:* The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] *On Behalf Of *Crabtree, Anne D *Sent:* August-09-11 9:34 AM *To:* IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU *Subject:* Re: z/vm page packs at DR ** ** Good point.. Maybe I’ll continue to back them up but for the test, I could IPL as soon as I have one restored (if needed). ** ** Anne D. Crabtree System Programmer WV Office of Technology Data Center 1900 Kanawha Blvd East Charleston, WV 25305 (304)558-5914 ext 58292 (304)558-1441 fax ** ** *From:* The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] *On Behalf Of *gclo...@br.ibm.com *Sent:* Tuesday, August 09, 2011 9:28 AM *To:* IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU *Subject:* Re: z/vm page packs at DR ** ** Anne: I worked with Disaster Recovery for about 10 years. Some observations: Real DR are different than Test DR: the major factor is Time. On a real disaster you don't have time to think, to plan, to execute... And have a lot of persons making pressure... So, the tip is: use the maximum of automation possible. If you have a MVS at the DR site, explore it. From my experience, restore page volumes from tape is faster than format them. You can run several restore Jobs in parallel. To be faster, you can start with a one Page volume and one spool volume, (according to Rick's suggestion: a small spool volume with only the SDF) After the VM IPL, you can add page/spool volumes on fly. Working with tapes, one VM can be live in less than 10 minutes, and you will got time to do the adjusts latter. Good luck, __ Clovis From: Rich Smrcina r...@velocitysoftware.com To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Date: 09/08/2011 09:13 Subject: Re: z/vm page packs
Re: z/vm page packs at DR
Well… since we do not have tape drives available to our IFL, SPXTAPE, every night, is not feasible right now. I can “steal” a drive from z/os when necessary but not every night. It’s a good plan for when we get our VTS (in the works now) and have tape drives available all the time. We currently have 11 page packs but when I bring up 6.1, there will be 15 or so… We’re not heavy into Linux (yet) so DR has been kind of lackadaisical (sp?) at best… I think I’ll stick to the restore for now, but keep all these great suggestions for later! Anne D. Crabtree System Programmer WV Office of Technology Data Center 1900 Kanawha Blvd East Charleston, WV 25305 (304)558-5914 ext 58292 (304)558-1441 fax From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Mike Walter Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 11:26 AM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: z/vm page packs at DR NSSes (e.g. CMS, CMSFILES, CMSPIPES, and may more) can easily be backed up using SPXTAPE to write them to tape (preferably every night). Thus the restore at DR is pretty simple (as long as you are very careful to send a copy of the tapes off-site, along with a hardcopy listing of which NSS tape volsers were created on which date). Back when we conducted offsite DR tests, we did just that. The SPOOL volumes at D.R. were created by an EXEC that would autolog a string of userids that had just been added by another EXEC to the DR floor system’s directory. Those autologs permitted concurrent formatting of many DASD, Each autologed ID (conveniently named ‘-volser-‘ where the ‘volser’ was the volume serial number of the volume to be formatted), would format its specific SPOOL, PAGE, or TDISK volume (naturally, just cylinder zero of TDISK vols). A follow-up step instructed how to restore the NSSes from the SPXTAPE backup. A cleanup exec at the end of the D.R. test would carefully delete the ID’s we had added to the floor system’s directory, along with any EXECs and control files that we had added. Mike Walter Aon Corporation The opinions expressed herein are mine alone, not my employer's. From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Hans Rempel Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 9:36 AM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: z/vm page packs at DR Hi Anne: I have never been in a real DR situation but enough DRs were we did have a time limit to complete. Today we have high capacity/fast tapes so I would follow Clovis suggestion. Start tape restores and put your feet up or ready yourself for the VM IPL once VM base system is restored. One thing you need to consider are the Saved Segments which are in SPOOL space. When the system is shipped most if not all are on the spool section of VM sysres. If any of these get re-saved (via service) they may end up on any SPOOL volume. Therefore make sure all your spool volumes are available before IPL –or be prepared to resave missing segments which is not a good idea in a pressure situation. VM will use SPOOL for paging if not enough PAGE space is available. PAGE is not as critical as SPOOL and can be added later sometime shortly after the IPL (before IPLing of your production systems – since running out of SPOOL space is very bad) using some automated CMS service machine/exec. You need to consider the number of page volumes versus backup time/tape usage. If you have 4 or 5 page volumes I would backup. If you have 20 pages volumes I would consider an exec to reformat them at the DR site. Hans From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Crabtree, Anne D Sent: August-09-11 9:34 AM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: z/vm page packs at DR Good point.. Maybe I’ll continue to back them up but for the test, I could IPL as soon as I have one restored (if needed). Anne D. Crabtree System Programmer WV Office of Technology Data Center 1900 Kanawha Blvd East Charleston, WV 25305 (304)558-5914 ext 58292 (304)558-1441 fax From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of gclo...@br.ibm.com Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 9:28 AM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: z/vm page packs at DR Anne: I worked with Disaster Recovery for about 10 years. Some observations: Real DR are different than Test DR: the major factor is Time. On a real disaster you don't have time to think, to plan, to execute... And have a lot of persons making pressure... So, the tip is: use the maximum of automation possible. If you have a MVS at the DR site, explore it. From my experience, restore page volumes from tape is faster than format them. You can run several restore Jobs in parallel. To be faster, you can start with a one Page volume and one spool volume, (according to Rick's suggestion: a small spool volume with only the SDF) After the VM IPL, you can add page/spool volumes on fly. Working with tapes, one VM can be live in less than 10 minutes, and you
Re: z/vm page packs at DR
I backup everything. Why? In a real disaster, you don't have a system's programmer. Since you already have to document and teach how to do a standalone restore of the system packs, just repeat for the page/spool/tdisk packs. Formatting and allocating packs is another source of errors. And when there are errors, there are no system programmers to determine and fix the problem. KISS Tom Duerbusch THD Consulting Sent via BlackBerry by ATT -Original Message- From: Crabtree, Anne D anne.d.crabt...@wv.gov Sender: The IBM z/VM Operating System IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Date: Tue, 9 Aug 2011 08:03:19 To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Reply-To: The IBM z/VM Operating System IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: z/vm page packs at DR I currently back up all my z/vm packs (res,page,spool) via an adrdssu job on z/os each Sunday. At the DR site, I run an adrdssu restore job for these packs. This method works fine, however, I'm wondering if backing up the page packs is necessary? I was thinking that maybe I could backup only 1 page pack so that I can get z/vm up and then just init the remaining packs after coming up. Since the page packs are listed as cpvols in system config, would z/vm even come up if it couldn't find all of them? Seems like a waste of time to back them up... At DR site, we bring up a z/os rescue system in order to run restore jobs for both z/os and z/vm volumes. Afterwards, our z/vm and z/os systems run as second level guests. Maybe I need a rescue z/vm system as well? Just wondering what everyone else does. Anne D. Crabtree System Programmer WV Office of Technology Data Center 1900 Kanawha Blvd East Charleston, WV 25305 (304)558-5914 ext 58292 (304)558-1441 fax
Re: z/vm page packs at DR
Hi Anne, Our DR restores are done under a VM system that is available at the DR site. We include a spool offload tape (actually 2 of them, one for spare) with the NSS backups on it and a few PUN files on the same tape. One of those PUN files is the DSF commands necessary to format page and spool, and all CP areas we need. So our first step is to run these DSF commands through the DR system's ICKDSF to format the things we need formatted (like our volids on the DR systems disks), and page volumes are on the list. We do not have the same amount of page volumes as you do, so one file of DSF commands is all we need. One could have multiple DSF command files and start multiple inits on multiple userids, but we have not needed it. I don't back up anything I can just recreate, since the fewer tapes I take to DR the better. Ron On Tue, Aug 9, 2011 at 6:03 AM, Crabtree, Anne D anne.d.crabt...@wv.gov wrote: I currently back up all my z/vm packs (res,page,spool) via an adrdssu job on z/os each Sunday. At the DR site, I run an adrdssu restore job for these packs. This method works fine, however, I’m wondering if backing up the page packs is necessary? I was thinking that maybe I could backup only 1 page pack so that I can get z/vm up and then just init the remaining packs after coming up. Since the page packs are listed as cpvols in system config, would z/vm even come up if it couldn’t find all of them? Seems like a waste of time to back them up… At DR site, we bring up a z/os “rescue” system in order to run restore jobs for both z/os and z/vm volumes. Afterwards, our z/vm and z/os systems run as second level guests. Maybe I need a “rescue” z/vm system as well? Just wondering what everyone else does. Anne D. Crabtree System Programmer WV Office of Technology Data Center 1900 Kanawha Blvd East Charleston, WV 25305 (304)558-5914 ext 58292 (304)558-1441 fax
Re: z/vm page packs at DR
We backup cyl 0 (zero) of the page packs just to avoid having to run ICKDSF to put a label on the packs. We then, of course, restore that cyl 0 at DR. Steve From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Crabtree, Anne D Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 8:03 AM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: z/vm page packs at DR I currently back up all my z/vm packs (res,page,spool) via an adrdssu job on z/os each Sunday. At the DR site, I run an adrdssu restore job for these packs. This method works fine, however, I'm wondering if backing up the page packs is necessary? I was thinking that maybe I could backup only 1 page pack so that I can get z/vm up and then just init the remaining packs after coming up. Since the page packs are listed as cpvols in system config, would z/vm even come up if it couldn't find all of them? Seems like a waste of time to back them up... At DR site, we bring up a z/os rescue system in order to run restore jobs for both z/os and z/vm volumes. Afterwards, our z/vm and z/os systems run as second level guests. Maybe I need a rescue z/vm system as well? Just wondering what everyone else does. Anne D. Crabtree System Programmer WV Office of Technology Data Center 1900 Kanawha Blvd East Charleston, WV 25305 (304)558-5914 ext 58292 (304)558-1441 fax
Re: z/vm page packs at DR
Don't you still need to format 1-END? In my experience, you can end up with paging errors if the dasd isn't initialized/formatted. Haven't tried just cylinder 0 though, so I could be wrong.. Scott Rohling On Tue, Aug 9, 2011 at 6:06 AM, Gentry, Steve steve.gen...@westernsouthernlife.com wrote: We backup cyl 0 (zero) of the page packs just to avoid having to run ICKDSF to put a label on the packs. We then, of course, restore that cyl 0 at DR. Steve ** ** *From:* The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] *On Behalf Of *Crabtree, Anne D *Sent:* Tuesday, August 09, 2011 8:03 AM *To:* IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU *Subject:* z/vm page packs at DR ** ** I currently back up all my z/vm packs (res,page,spool) via an adrdssu job on z/os each Sunday. At the DR site, I run an adrdssu restore job for these packs. This method works fine, however, I’m wondering if backing up the page packs is necessary? I was thinking that maybe I could backup only 1 page pack so that I can get z/vm up and then just init the remaining packs after coming up. Since the page packs are listed as cpvols in system config, would z/vm even come up if it couldn’t find all of them? Seems like a waste of time to back them up… ** ** At DR site, we bring up a z/os “rescue” system in order to run restore jobs for both z/os and z/vm volumes. Afterwards, our z/vm and z/os systems run as second level guests. Maybe I need a “rescue” z/vm system as well? *** * ** ** Just wondering what everyone else does. ** ** ** ** ** ** Anne D. Crabtree System Programmer WV Office of Technology Data Center 1900 Kanawha Blvd East Charleston, WV 25305 (304)558-5914 ext 58292 (304)558-1441 fax ** **
Re: z/vm page packs at DR
You will need spool space, so you might as well copy it (or keep a small spool area available only with the NSS files, JUST for DR). Time to resubmit that requirement for disk support for SPXTAPE.
Re: z/vm page packs at DR
On Tuesday, 08/09/2011 at 01:44 EDT, David Boyes dbo...@sinenomine.net wrote: I?ve done it both ways. If you have flashcopy in the disk hardware, the ?back up one, flash the others, clip the labels with DDR? is really, really efficient, and trivially easy to automate Note that CP FLASHCOPY has a LABEL option to let copy the disk and change the label in a single operation. If the target volumes have been PRE-labeled, you can use the SAVELABEL option. Alan Altmark Senior Managing z/VM and Linux Consultant IBM System Lab Services and Training ibm.com/systems/services/labservices office: 607.429.3323 mobile; 607.321.7556 alan_altm...@us.ibm.com IBM Endicott
Re: z/vm page packs at DR
Note that CP FLASHCOPY has a LABEL option to let copy the disk and change the label in a single operation. If the target volumes have been PRE-labeled, you can use the SAVELABEL option. Do you happen to know if that requires a specific level of the flashcopy firmware, or is it done in CP? I tried that on 5.4 with an older (don't have the release # handy) Shark box, and that option didn't seem to work.
Re: z/vm page packs at DR
David, CP doesn't need a PAGE pack to start: it can and will page in spool packs when PAGE is full or not existent. Only when spool is full too, then CP dies. 2011/8/9 David Boyes dbo...@sinenomine.net This method works fine, however, I’m wondering if backing up the page packs is necessary? I was thinking that maybe I could backup only 1 page pack so that I can get z/vm up and then just init the remaining packs after coming up. ** ** I’ve done it both ways. If you have flashcopy in the disk hardware, the “back up one, flash the others, clip the labels with DDR” is really, really efficient, and trivially easy to automate (at one site, we ran that way normally – made it really easy to avoid the “write one page at IPL on a page pack and then you can’t drain it” problem discussed here recently). Just make sure that you have a short delay in your AUTOLOG1 startup (or do the flash/clip in AUTOLOG1) so you can stop the whole system from initializing before the page packs are online – running out of page space during IPL is kinda icky. ** ** You do need to back up a fully-formatted page pack (processed with CPVOL FORMAT) because you’ll get paging errors and weird horrible flaming deaths that are really hard to find if the pack is not completely CP formatted. * *** ** ** Since the page packs are listed as cpvols in system config, would z/vm even come up if it couldn’t find all of them? ** ** For PAGE space, z/VM is perfectly happy to come up without them (as long as you have lots of RAM or at least one PAGE area available). SPOL packs are the ones you REALLY care about having all the pieces. ** ** At DR site, we bring up a z/os “rescue” system in order to run restore jobs for both z/os and z/vm volumes. Afterwards, our z/vm and z/os systems run as second level guests. Maybe I need a “rescue” z/vm system as well? *** * ** ** We do it the other way around – z/VM first, then z/OS and the other guests. A 1 pack z/VM system is very quick to restore and will let you bring up multiple z/OS guest systems and the restore will go much easier. With a little thought, you can automate the whole process with an exec – it leads to lots of amusement during DR when you load 1 or 2 tapes, IPL VM and just sit there drinking coffee while everyone else does fire-drill. 8-) -- Kris Buelens, IBM Belgium, VM customer support
Re: z/vm page packs at DR
Hi. No need, 0-END (or 1-END) is not mandatory. You can use only pieces of dasd for each type, but all referenced in alloc map, not PERM type, MUST be formatted. If not, you get the paging errors. To make a one-pack VM, have the VMRES mdisks, some cylinders for page and some for spool. The minimum needed to get CMS running. All in the same pack. PS. And is possible (not practical) to start with an empty SPOOL: Restore VMRES, format page/spool, IPL VM, logon MAINT (IPL 190), create the segments and all the other SDFs (or restore them from one tape). Followed by a new IPL. I saw people working this way ( I help them) in the past. Personally, nowaday this way looks more an academic POC than a valid DR exercise... __ Clovis From: Scott Rohling scott.rohl...@gmail.com To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Date: 09/08/2011 14:19 Subject: Re: z/vm page packs at DR Sent by: The IBM z/VM Operating System IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Don't you still need to format 1-END? In my experience, you can end up with paging errors if the dasd isn't initialized/formatted. Haven't tried just cylinder 0 though, so I could be wrong.. Scott Rohling On Tue, Aug 9, 2011 at 6:06 AM, Gentry, Steve steve.gen...@westernsouthernlife.com wrote: We backup cyl 0 (zero) of the page packs just to avoid having to run ICKDSF to put a label on the packs. We then, of course, restore that cyl 0 at DR. Steve From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Crabtree, Anne D Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 8:03 AM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: z/vm page packs at DR I currently back up all my z/vm packs (res,page,spool) via an adrdssu job on z/os each Sunday. At the DR site, I run an adrdssu restore job for these packs. This method works fine, however, I’m wondering if backing up the page packs is necessary? I was thinking that maybe I could backup only 1 page pack so that I can get z/vm up and then just init the remaining packs after coming up. Since the page packs are listed as cpvols in system config, would z/vm even come up if it couldn’t find all of them? Seems like a waste of time to back them up… At DR site, we bring up a z/os “rescue” system in order to run restore jobs for both z/os and z/vm volumes. Afterwards, our z/vm and z/os systems run as second level guests. Maybe I need a “rescue” z/vm system as well? Just wondering what everyone else does. Anne D. Crabtree System Programmer WV Office of Technology Data Center 1900 Kanawha Blvd East Charleston, WV 25305 (304)558-5914 ext 58292 (304)558-1441 fax
Re: z/vm page packs at DR
Yes, I meant that you still need to format those allocated as PAGE (or any non PERM type).. I'm used to seeing full volumes so said 1-END.. Personally - I prefer to format/allocate in one step (single cpfmtxa format/allocate) Scott Rohling On Tue, Aug 9, 2011 at 12:26 PM, gclo...@br.ibm.com wrote: Hi. No need, 0-END (or 1-END) is not mandatory. You can use only pieces of dasd for each type, but all referenced in alloc map, not PERM type, MUST be formatted. If not, you get the paging errors. To make a one-pack VM, have the VMRES mdisks, some cylinders for page and some for spool. The minimum needed to get CMS running. All in the same pack. PS. And is possible (not practical) to start with an empty SPOOL: 1. Restore VMRES, 2. format page/spool, 3. IPL VM, 4. logon MAINT (IPL 190), 5. create the segments and all the other SDFs (or restore them from one tape). 6. Followed by a new IPL. I saw people working this way ( I help them) in the past. Personally, nowaday this way looks more an academic POC than a valid DR exercise... __ Clovis From: Scott Rohling scott.rohl...@gmail.com To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Date: 09/08/2011 14:19 Subject: Re: z/vm page packs at DR Sent by: The IBM z/VM Operating System IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU -- Don't you still need to format 1-END? In my experience, you can end up with paging errors if the dasd isn't initialized/formatted. Haven't tried just cylinder 0 though, so I could be wrong.. Scott Rohling On Tue, Aug 9, 2011 at 6:06 AM, Gentry, Steve * steve.gen...@westernsouthernlife.com*steve.gen...@westernsouthernlife.com wrote: We backup cyl 0 (zero) of the page packs just to avoid having to run ICKDSF to put a label on the packs. We then, of course, restore that cyl 0 at DR. Steve *From:* The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:*IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU*IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] *On Behalf Of *Crabtree, Anne D* Sent:* Tuesday, August 09, 2011 8:03 AM * To:* *IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU* IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU *Subject:* z/vm page packs at DR I currently back up all my z/vm packs (res,page,spool) via an adrdssu job on z/os each Sunday. At the DR site, I run an adrdssu restore job for these packs. This method works fine, however, I’m wondering if backing up the page packs is necessary? I was thinking that maybe I could backup only 1 page pack so that I can get z/vm up and then just init the remaining packs after coming up. Since the page packs are listed as cpvols in system config, would z/vm even come up if it couldn’t find all of them? Seems like a waste of time to back them up… At DR site, we bring up a z/os “rescue” system in order to run restore jobs for both z/os and z/vm volumes. Afterwards, our z/vm and z/os systems run as second level guests. Maybe I need a “rescue” z/vm system as well? Just wondering what everyone else does. Anne D. Crabtree System Programmer WV Office of Technology Data Center 1900 Kanawha Blvd East Charleston, WV 25305 *(304)558-5914 ext 58292* %28304%29558-5914%20ext%2058292 *(304)558-1441* %28304%29558-1441 fax
Re: z/vm page packs at DR
David, I tried it with an old Shark (2105-F20) and works fine. With zVM 5.4, Lvl 1001. PS: This Flashcopy will be incorporated in the next version of the CLONEBKP package... __ Clovis From: David Boyes dbo...@sinenomine.net To: IBMVM@listserv.uark.edu Date: 09/08/2011 15:12 Subject: Re: z/vm page packs at DR Sent by: The IBM z/VM Operating System IBMVM@listserv.uark.edu Note that CP FLASHCOPY has a LABEL option to let copy the disk and change the label in a single operation. If the target volumes have been PRE-labeled, you can use the SAVELABEL option. Do you happen to know if that requires a specific level of the flashcopy firmware, or is it done in CP? I tried that on 5.4 with an older (don't have the release # handy) Shark box, and that option didn't seem to work.
Re: z/vm page packs at DR
This is one of the great things about VM:Spool from CA, the AUTOVSEG component automatically monitors your SDF's, backs them up to disk whenever they change, and can automatically restore them if they are found missing (such as after a cold IPL). I agree, SPXTAPE to disk (CMS files) should have been done by IBM a long time ago, but until that is done I sleep better at night with VM:Spool. -Mike -Original Message- From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of David Boyes Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 1:45 PM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: z/vm page packs at DR You will need spool space, so you might as well copy it (or keep a small spool area available only with the NSS files, JUST for DR). Time to resubmit that requirement for disk support for SPXTAPE.
Re: z/vm page packs at DR
Hi Clovis, No need, 0-END (or 1-END) is not mandatory. A clearer way of saying this might be “you only need to CPFMTXA the cylinders you intend to use for PAGE”, since MOST shops use full packs for PAGE that’s why it was expressed as 0-END/1-END. :) Simply DDR’ing cylinder 0 of your PAGE packs will likely lead to a system failure the first time CP tries to use improperly formatted cylinders. -Mike From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of gclo...@br.ibm.com Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 2:26 PM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: z/vm page packs at DR Hi. No need, 0-END (or 1-END) is not mandatory. You can use only pieces of dasd for each type, but all referenced in alloc map, not PERM type, MUST be formatted. If not, you get the paging errors. To make a one-pack VM, have the VMRES mdisks, some cylinders for page and some for spool. The minimum needed to get CMS running. All in the same pack. PS. And is possible (not practical) to start with an empty SPOOL: 1. Restore VMRES, 2. format page/spool, 3. IPL VM, 4. logon MAINT (IPL 190), 5. create the segments and all the other SDFs (or restore them from one tape). 6. Followed by a new IPL. I saw people working this way ( I help them) in the past. Personally, nowaday this way looks more an academic POC than a valid DR exercise... __ Clovis From: Scott Rohling scott.rohl...@gmail.com To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Date: 09/08/2011 14:19 Subject: Re: z/vm page packs at DR Sent by: The IBM z/VM Operating System IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU _ Don't you still need to format 1-END? In my experience, you can end up with paging errors if the dasd isn't initialized/formatted. Haven't tried just cylinder 0 though, so I could be wrong.. Scott Rohling On Tue, Aug 9, 2011 at 6:06 AM, Gentry, Steve steve.gen...@westernsouthernlife.com wrote: We backup cyl 0 (zero) of the page packs just to avoid having to run ICKDSF to put a label on the packs. We then, of course, restore that cyl 0 at DR. Steve From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Crabtree, Anne D Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 8:03 AM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: z/vm page packs at DR I currently back up all my z/vm packs (res,page,spool) via an adrdssu job on z/os each Sunday. At the DR site, I run an adrdssu restore job for these packs. This method works fine, however, I’m wondering if backing up the page packs is necessary? I was thinking that maybe I could backup only 1 page pack so that I can get z/vm up and then just init the remaining packs after coming up. Since the page packs are listed as cpvols in system config, would z/vm even come up if it couldn’t find all of them? Seems like a waste of time to back them up… At DR site, we bring up a z/os “rescue” system in order to run restore jobs for both z/os and z/vm volumes. Afterwards, our z/vm and z/os systems run as second level guests. Maybe I need a “rescue” z/vm system as well? Just wondering what everyone else does. Anne D. Crabtree System Programmer WV Office of Technology Data Center 1900 Kanawha Blvd East Charleston, WV 25305 (304)558-5914 ext 58292 tel:%28304%29558-5914%20ext%2058292 (304)558-1441 tel:%28304%29558-1441 fax
Re: z/vm page packs at DR
Normally, I suppose you would. But the packs are preformatted for us. From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Scott Rohling Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 1:19 PM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: z/vm page packs at DR Don't you still need to format 1-END? In my experience, you can end up with paging errors if the dasd isn't initialized/formatted. Haven't tried just cylinder 0 though, so I could be wrong.. Scott Rohling On Tue, Aug 9, 2011 at 6:06 AM, Gentry, Steve steve.gen...@westernsouthernlife.com wrote: We backup cyl 0 (zero) of the page packs just to avoid having to run ICKDSF to put a label on the packs. We then, of course, restore that cyl 0 at DR. Steve From: The IBM z/VM Operating System [mailto:IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Crabtree, Anne D Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 8:03 AM To: IBMVM@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: z/vm page packs at DR I currently back up all my z/vm packs (res,page,spool) via an adrdssu job on z/os each Sunday. At the DR site, I run an adrdssu restore job for these packs. This method works fine, however, I'm wondering if backing up the page packs is necessary? I was thinking that maybe I could backup only 1 page pack so that I can get z/vm up and then just init the remaining packs after coming up. Since the page packs are listed as cpvols in system config, would z/vm even come up if it couldn't find all of them? Seems like a waste of time to back them up... At DR site, we bring up a z/os rescue system in order to run restore jobs for both z/os and z/vm volumes. Afterwards, our z/vm and z/os systems run as second level guests. Maybe I need a rescue z/vm system as well? Just wondering what everyone else does. Anne D. Crabtree System Programmer WV Office of Technology Data Center 1900 Kanawha Blvd East Charleston, WV 25305 (304)558-5914 ext 58292 tel:%28304%29558-5914%20ext%2058292 (304)558-1441 tel:%28304%29558-1441 fax
