IBM midrange systems integrator, TCM, has implemented a first for SA by integrating a single data storage robotic solution for five separate operating environments covering AS/400, Linux and Windows NT, Novell and Groupwise.
This is the first implementation in SA to integrate all five platforms using Tivoli Storage Management (TSM) software and IBM 3575 robotic storage hardware.
MediKredit processes transactions from healthcare providers online in real-time on behalf of medical schemes. TCM architected the data storage robotic solution, supplied the hardware and provided the project management for the implementation, while IBM storage distributor, Maxtec, implemented the TSM management software.
MediKredit investigated other software solutions but could not find a product able to integrate with Linux and Novell open files.
TCM marketing and services director - TCM Small Systems, Tony Da Silva said the benefits to MediKredit are vast and include labour savings in addition to cost and performance improvements. "Previously, numerous hours were spent checking whether backups were properly done. This took an average of 10 hours a week. No manual check is now necessary," he explained.
The system backs up in excess of 135Gb of information on Windows NT and 230Gb on the AS/400. The robotic system provides a maximum transfer rate of over 40Gb per hour from the AS/400 and around 20GB per hour from the other platforms.
A spokesperson for MediKredit said Tivoli significantly reduces the danger of human error associated with loading incorrect tapes. This is because the entire backup process is automated. The system validates all cartridges loaded before proceeding with a backup, ensuring the correct tape is always loaded.
Previously, the company used different types of backup media. All backups are now done by the same media, providing further economies of scale.
MediKredit uses the Mimix software to replicate data to enable continuous availability of critical systems during the backup procedures. Backup times have reduced and all procedures are more easily managed.
"MediKredit is also able to do incremental backups. Previously, when files needed to be restored, the entire system had to be restored. The Tivoli system acts intelligently in terms of restoring data, only restoring that, which is required, giving further time savings," added Da Silva.
Previously, restoring data was done manually and needed to be in the correct sequence. If not, data could easily be lost. Now, the sequence is given automatically with minimal risk providing greater peace of mind.
"With the auto-backup, we no longer need to check on whether operators have performed their tasks correctly. There was always the element of uncertainty, never knowing whether an operator may have made a mistake. With the system now automated, we are more at ease. Tests have shown that the system is in fact backing up correctly," he said.
This technology is expandable to larger environments and can be fully integrated on any Intel platform. With this comes a reduction in complexity to the user. In fact, it will now be possible to run Linux native on an AS/400 with it the associated AS/400 performance benefits over Intel.
"This is clearly an evolutionary road, with the AS/400 (now called the iSeries) acting as the integrating platform encapsulating previously incompatible operating environments," Da Silva concluded.
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