IBM AS/400e User Handbook Manual page 87

managed availability approach, as is offered with the AS/400e system. Other reasons
include: minimal disruptive backup solutions, the ability to non-disruptively install and pre-test
new versions, releases, or software fixes, to make optimum use of all company and AS/400
resources.
Hallmarks of AS/400e availability have included redundant internal hardware features, such
as RAID-5 and mirroring. The robustness and stability of OS/400 extends into its multiple,
subsystem support (batch, interactive, multi-language, applications), demonstrating the
AS/400e system ability to meet your business requirements when needed. The AS/400e
system offers managed availability to ensure that it is ready to do business when you are.
AS/400 managed availability software is also called cross-system mirroring . It provides:
• The ability to have one AS/400 system act as a "hot" backup system to one or more
primary AS/400 systems. The primary and secondary systems do not have to be the
same size or model.
• A rapid cutover to the secondary machine in the event of an emergency.
• System backup that allows data from the primary system to be completely backed up
after only a few minutes of down time. While the secondary system has a "static" copy
of the "primary" system's data, the primary system continues to operate. Changes are
transmitted to the secondary system and applied when the backup has completed,
therefore, providing continuous protection.
• The secondary system can be used for other activities, for example, business
intelligence or application development, while it concurrently provides backup to the
primary system. The secondary system can also be used to "load balance", therefore,
off loading the primary system.
• Selection of which items on the primary system need to be dynamically protected by
the secondary system. This can minimize disk capacity on the secondary system or
allow a smaller model to be used to "cross-system mirror" the larger system.
• Cross-protection among two or more systems, hundreds of miles apart. Data integrity
is maintained in both directions. Backups can be performed at the remote site.
• New software versions and releases (OS/400 and associated software), or fixes on the
secondary system can be applied while the primary system continues to function.
Testing can occur on the secondary system before non-disruptively updating the
primary system.
The AS/400 system offers superior technology, service, and support in each of five critical
components of availability:
• Single system reliability: The architecture and baseline design philosophy make the
AS/400e system one of the most reliable servers in the world. The origin of the AS/400
serves the small business customer with minimal skill or resource to manage complex
AS/400e Advanced Technology
AS/400e Advanced Technology
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