Why Use GPFS?

So we have GPFS enabled systems and an application that uses these file systems to store MILLIONS of very small files. The GPFS file system is supposed to allow multiple systems to share a filespace and data, but we continually have issues with backups. A lot of it is due to the number of files (9+ million is one file system alone), but also with the memory utilization of the scheduler. The system has only 4 GB of memory and when the scheduler is running it consumes at least 1GB. So my question is wouldn't a NAS based file system work just as well? Granted the GPFS file systems look local on each server, and in all respects are local, but the difference can't be that big especially when the majority of the data is under 10K in size (mostly under 1K to be exact). So anyone have experience with GPFS to state otherwise?

How Tivoli Can Fix The ISC

I thought about it and instead of just complaining I figured I'd offer my two cents. The beauty of the old web interface was that it was simple and fast at refreshing (usually). The new ISC is slow in this regard, and that is where the problem lies. The idea of a central monitoring tool is wonderful. The problem is in the response time. OK! So how can they fix it? AJAX! Yes with Asynchronous Javascript And XML there would be no reloads. Updates would happen dynamically and the ISC Admin Center would actually be amazing! Don't believe me? Look at what a lot of the Web 2.0 apps are using, that's right AJAX! It's turns a ho-hum web app into a true desktop app that you would forget is running in your browser. Is it in the works? My bets are on NO! But, hey someone has to have dreams!

Search TSMExpert

OK! So I have covered a lot of topics and the way blogs work does not easily lend itself to find the info you might need. I would agree with you except that Blogger is hosted by Google, which means you kind find anything you need if you search for it! Use the Google search box on the right and select TSMExpert.blogspot.com. Google then searches through this website to find the topics that might best suit your needs. If you need NDMP info or have questions on the LVSA the areas where they have been covered in this blog can easily be found.

TSM AIX Performance Issue With ML05

I found this APAR interesting and thought I would pass it along. There seems to be a bug in the TSM client for AIX when updated to ML05 and Direct I/O is in use on the filesystems. I can't explain the details well enough so read the post here. This bug can cause significant increases in backup time. They give a good example in the APAR description.

Disk Question

Ok so in the DS4000 Redbook (page 153) they give a TSM example for setting up disk and they describe using a RAID 10 configuration. What!?! I've always heard and taught that TSM should use TSM mirroring since the extra DB copies are used for writing to help with performance and TSM keeps them all sync'd. So why would I create two RAID 10 arrays and let the DS4000 handle the mirroring? Why not create two RAID 1 arrays and mirror thru TSM? This has implications not only on the DS4000 series but on every high-end enterprise disk out there. So which is it IBM?

TSM Admin Center Blues!

OK so I used TSMManager when I was with IBM and at the new account, I must say, I see the headaches involved when you don't have a central management tool. I am trying to configure my servers on the ISC Admin Center and it is a piece-o-crap! I don't think anyone at Tivoli or IBM did a usability study. If so they would not have moved to the new interface, or they would have made it a lot better. Granted the ISC gives you a central management tool, but it is so unintuitive and slow I find myself grinding my teeth together using it. Now we are almost two years into the ISC and it still sucks so what gives? Anyone have anything positive or hints to make it somewhat useable? It's slow, clunky, and not intuitive. Use the Operational Reporting tool you say? Forget it! It doesn’t even look like they are moving forward with it on 5.3 since it still has a web option. I just have one question for developers? What is going on?

Any Advice On ACSLS?

So I have a new job with a new company doing TSM work and they have a STK library using ACSLS.  Since I have never used ACSLS and am not sure why it doesn’t have a web interface I am looking for pointers from you all as to tips, tricks, or things I should now when using it.  One question I have is why did they make a management tool that has to run on a totally separate piece of hardware? STK has stuck with ACSLS for a long time so I am assuming it must be somewhat worthwhile. Is it?