Backup Solutions
IBM Power for Google Cloud (IP4G) offers several possible strategies for backup. Many solutions are similar to those used in on-premises environments. Others are more cloud-specific. Below are some recommended options. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list.
Capture and Export
Capture and Export can take virtual machine (VM) images and store them in Google Cloud Storage. This works for all supported operating systems. Capture and Export leverages FlashCopy on the backing storage. Captured images are available from the interface for exporting to Google Cloud Storage, or cloning to additional virtual machines (VMs).
Exporting images is a resource-intensive operation. Only one Capture and Export operation can be queued at a time. As a best-practice, only capture images containing a rootvg for AIX/Linux. Or, just the load source volume for IBM i. The maximum image size is 10TB.
See [Capturing and exporting a virtual machine)[capture-and-export.md] for more information.
AIX backup solutions
Almost any agent-based backup solution supporting AIX can be used in IP4G. The backup server or proxy should be implemented within IP4G or GCE. Some common solutions include:
Several solutions can also integrate directly with Google Cloud Storage. Customers are responsible for implementing, maintaining, and managing their own backup environment.
Consider if a shorter backup window or larger backup set is required. If so, deploy backup infrastructure within IP4G. Then, replicate backups to GCE or elsewhere, using native methods within the individual backup solution. Keep in mind, implementing and testing backup architecture is a customer responsibility.
Managed backup services can also be utilized.
IBM i backup solutions
For small IBM i VMs, IBM recommends IBM Cloud Storage Solutions for i (ICC). Larger VMs may want to implement an iSCSI-attached VTL solution. Most customers will want to leverage Backup, Recovery, and Media Services (BRMS) as a backup tool. All of the recommended solutions will integrate fully with BRMS. Managed backup services can also be utilized.
IBM Cloud Storage Solutions for i
This solution integrates with BRMS and Google Cloud Storage using the S3 protocol. It can manage tiering of local backups to Google Cloud Storage. This solution involves backup to virtual optical volumes. This may require additional storage for optical volumes on the VM, until they are offloaded to Google Cloud Storage.
Key Prerequisites:
- Install and configure IBM Cloud Storage Solutions for i Licensed Program Product (5733-ICC).
- Install and configure Digital Certificate Manager.
- Obtain and install certificates for Google Cloud storage.
- Aproximately 2x used disk capacity to hold virtual optical images during backup.
- BRMS integration configured.
See the ICC Quick Start Guide for more information: ICC Quick Start.
iSCSI VTL
IBM i also supports backup to an iSCSI-attached Virtual Tape Library (VTL). Customers leveraging on-premises tape or VTLs may find this solution offers the greatest flexibility and familiarity. A VTL solution will most likely also be preferable for VMs larger than 1-2TB.
VTL solutions that offer iSCSI connectivity to IBM i include:
Converge has tested the QUADStor solution. QUADStor is a free software package that can be installed on most Linux distributions. QUADStor supports both x86 and Power architectures. It can be deployed in IP4G as well as GCE. Furthermore, it can be configured to tier to Google Cloud Storage under the control of BRMS. QUADStor offers paid support options for production instances.
QUADStor prerequisites
Prerequsites for use of QUADStor are as follows:
- Supported Linux distribution (x86 or Power).
- 8 cores.
- 64 GB RAM.
- Sufficient storage based on current backup policies.
- Latest IBM i PTFs installed for iSCSI Support. See IBM i Removable Media: Support for iSCSI VTL. Note that the linked document was written for FalconStor. However, the PTF requirements apply to QUADStor as well.
Converge has measured aproximately a 4:1 data reduction ratio when using QUADStor in deduplication mode.
FalconStor prerequisites
Customers are recommended to contact FalconStor directly for implementation requirements.
Linux backup solutions
Most of the same solutions that work for AIX will work with Linux as well. Additionally, there may be open source solutions that can meet customer backup requirements. Managed backup servies can also be leveraged.
Managed backup services
IP4G is an Infrastructure as a Platform (IaaS) solution. It does not include managed backup as part of the offering. Converge can offer managed backup services and solutions outside of the IaaS subscription. Please contact a Converge representative for more information.