Method and system for automated termination and resumption in a time zero backup copy process

Abstract

A method in a data processing system for automatically terminating or resuming backup copy sessions after an abnormal interrupt or reset notification occurrence during a backup copy process. A status indication is entered into activity tables associated with a plurality of storage subsystems and devices within a data processing system in response to initiation of a backup copy session. Status indications are then entered upon successful completion of a backup copy session within the data processing system. The indications within the activity tables are reviewed to determine the status of a backup copy session upon restarting a resource manager, abnormal termination of a backup copy program, or an operating system initial program load. If a backup copy session has been initiated but not completed, the backup copy session is then terminated. The indications within the activity tables are also reviewed to determine the status of a backup copy session if a reset notification is raised by a storage subsystem. The tracks extents which are active for a volume associated with a particular session identification are determined. A comparison is then made between the tracks extents which are active and the volume and extent information associated with a physical session identification. If a match exists between the tracks extents which are active and the volume and extent information associated with a physical session identification, the backup copy session resumes. If a match does not exist, the backup copy session is terminated.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Technical FieldThe present invention relates in general to methods and systems for maintaining continued availability of datasets in external storage associated with data processing systems, and in particular to backup copying of records in external storage concurrent with a dramatically shortened suspension of data processing system application execution occasioned by such copying. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to automatic termination or resumption of backup copy sessions in a backup copy process.2. Description of the Related ArtA modern data processing system must be prepared to recover, not only from corruptions of stored data which occur as a result of noise bursts, software bugs, media defects, and write path errors, but also from global events, such as data processing system power failure. The most common technique of ensuring the continued availability of data within a data processing system is to create one or more copi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an improved method and system for backup copying of records in external storage concurrent with a dramatically shortened suspension of data processing system application execution occasioned by such copying.

Problems solved by technology

A modern data processing system must be prepared to recover, not only from corruptions of stored data which occur as a result of noise bursts, software bugs, media defects, and write path errors, but also from global events, such as data processing system power failure.

Thus, the opportunity cost of backing up data within a dataset may be quite high on a large multiprocessing, multiprogramming facility, relative to other types of processing.

However, this type of backup copying results in a consistency described as "fuzzy."

Requests and interrupts which occur prior to executing track-to-track customer data movement result in the restarting of the process.

This typically causes a re-queuing of the request.

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