Migrate DR550 to IA

[demaya]

Hello folks,

I have a question: does anybody have a existing migration path from DR550 (runs out of service 2013) to IA (information archive; the successor of DR550)? Or somebody made sucessful migration? If yes, how?
Via:
- TSM tools
- OnDemand tools (arsdoc get and arsdoc add)
- external tools
- ???

Or do you try to get extended support from IBM?

Thanks in advance & Cheers
mayach

[Justin Derrick]

I'm not familiar with the IA product -- but the DR550 is simply TSM on specialized hardware.  You should be able to use 'Export Node' to copy node data over to a new TSM server.  The snag here is that I think the DR550 runs TSM 5.5.x -- and I'm not sure about the compatibility of data exported from 5.5.x into the newer versions of TSM, like 6.3, which have an entirely different database structure.

Alternately, you could just pick-and-place the data from the DR550 to all new hardware rather than going through the export/import cycle.

It's going to be interesting, that's for sure...

-JD.

[demaya]

Hey JD,

how did I know that you will respond? ;-)

It's gonna be interesting... yeah, but I think not only for me? A lot of customers have the DR550 in there environments?!

What do you mean with?

Alternately, you could just pick-and-place the data from the DR550 to all new hardware rather than going through the export/import cycle.

Cheers

[Justin Derrick]

I hope I haven't become too predictable!

There were a few customers with DR550 -- but not so many that the product is still around...  :D

You might be able to perform a TSM database backup & restore, then copy the individual data files ("pick it up" and "place it on a new server").  I've done that for TSM upgrades in the past, but not specifically on a DR550.

Keep us posted on your progress -- you won't be the last person who needs to do this!

-JD.

[demaya]

Thanks for your answer! I will keep you up to date.

[demaya]

One more question. Anybody has some expierence with HDS (Hitachi Data Systems) and OnDemand? First information of sale department tells that they can handle the TSM API.

I'm more than doubtful that that would work properly :) But... I'm open for convincing statements  :)

Cheers

[Justin Derrick]

Which HDS product?  I thought they just did DASD/SAN storage.  If it can be mounted as a filesystem, then TSM can store data on it as a disk device class.

-JD.

[demaya]

Don't know yet... We just asked if they support TSM API 100% ... now they're analyzing... right question as a starter is a good question.  :D

Further we need the retention mode on... and best is if they have a certificate of a audit firm... if you try to do your own DR550 you don't have something like this. Our laws 'demand' this  :( At least you have less stress with it.

I'll keep you up to date.

[Alessandro Perucchi]

.... I went to the IBM IA web site and I've seen that:

Effective August 10, 2012 IBM has withdrawn from marketing the IBM Information Archive. On or after the effective date of withdrawal, you can no longer order this product. Please note the IBM Information Archive is still covered under IBM maintenance and upgrades of capacity are still available. For more information contact your IBM sales representative or IBM Business Partner.

http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/storage/disk/archive/index.html

So I really hope that IBM provides a new solution to replace IA and DR550 :-(.

From the information I read, IBM IA was/is using TSM like its brother DR550. Meaning that a migration from DR550 to IBM IA should be really a pure TSM migration, so no problem at all.

Sincerely yours,
Alessandro

[demaya]

I knew that before, but the official information was not out.

Yeah... we are lookin for a successor of our DR550... but it seems that the IA is out (now) ::)

[Justin Derrick]

I knew that before, but the official information was not out.

Yeah... we are lookin for a successor of our DR550... but it seems that the IA is out (now) ::)

Some customers are combining TSM (with Archive Retention Protection enabled) and SnapLock to get a double-layer of protection against data deletion that might pass your auditor's inspection.  I've installed it elsewhere, so I know it works.  (Once upon a time, I didn't believe it did -- but it does...  ;)  )

-JD.