Hi Milton

Yes, we are successfully using the COPYSTGPOOLS feature. We have large 
Oracle and DB/2 database backups going directly to tape. The stgpool has 
the COPYSTGPOOLS feature set, which resides in a different library, even 
on a remote location(we're using 9310 with 9840B as the primary tape 
stgpool and 9310 with 9840C as copypools located 20km away from the main 
office).

During the backup process, if a mount request is denied or there aren't 
any idle drives in the copypool, the backup will continue, removing the 
copypool temporarily from the primary tape copystgpool list. This all 
depends on the parameter CONTINUECOPYONERROR which is also set on the 
primary stgpool. If you set this parameter to YES, the backup will 
continue, not requesting any more mount points in your copy storage pool. 
If you set this parameter to NO however, the backup will either go into 
mount wait status, or fail, depending on why it cant get a mount point in 
your copy storage pool.

Remember, this feature is only available on LAN-based backups. It is still 
not available for LAN-free backups, something I think is strange as the 
largest backups are using the LAN-free functionality. 

We managed to reduce the amount of data being backed up by the BACKUP 
STGPOOL process to 40%. If you dont use any LAN-free clients, this feature 
should be able to completely remove the need for backup stgpool. I do 
however recommend running the process, event if it doesnt backup any data. 
Its always good to know that ALL your data resides in the COPYPOOL.

I do not recommend using this feature on your primary diskpools. It will 
only mean that every backup session that is started from your clients, 
will need a mount point in your copy storage pool. This is a good way to 
make all clients come in to mount wait status or a good way of needing 
more drives.

Best Regards

Daniel Sparrman
-----------------------------------
Daniel Sparrman
Daniel Sparrman
Exist i Stockholm AB
Propellervägen 6B
183 62 TÄBY
Växel: 08 - 754 98 00
Mobil: 070 - 399 27 51



"Johnson, Milton" <milton.johnson AT CITIGROUP DOT COM> 
Sent by: "ADSM: Dist Stor Manager" <ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU>
2004-09-21 17:44
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Subject
Re: Duel tape write to LTO's






 It depends upon where you define the copypool to reside.  If it is
contained in the "2nd library" then yes.  Has anyone out there in TSM
land actually used this feature?  What happens to the back-up when one
of the tape volumes fills up?  Does it go into a media wait state until
the next volume is mounted?  What happens if there isn't a volume
available in the copypool?  Any other gotcha's?

H. Milton Johnson