Re: Thoughts on VTL solutions

OK sorry to keep asking this list but as I mentioned, I need to get some
independent advise to measure against what IBM is telling me.

If I get a second VTL (let's say DSI since it's IBM's preferred vendor
now), and I connect that over FC to the the Power server that has
ProtecTier, can you run the DUPTAP command and copy entire library from PT
to the DSI?
Something like this (example from
https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/ssw_ibm_i_73/cl/dupmedbrm.htm#DUPMEDBRM.COMMAND.EXAMPLES
)

DUPMEDBRM VOL(VOL002) FROMDEV(TAPMLB01) TODEV(TAPMLB02)
FROMVOL(*SET) MEDPCY(FMT3570)

This command duplicates all volumes in the volume set which contains VOL002
using media library TAPMLB01 as the from device and media library TAPMLB02
as the to device using the media class in the FMT3570 media policy for the
to volumes.

but perhaps with more wildcards to grab the entire VTL library?

And if the data in PT is deduped, then this will be maintained in the
target VTL? DSI does support deduping but I don't know if the algorithms on
PT and DSI are compatible


Thanks



On Tue, May 12, 2020 at 9:37 AM Laurence Chiu <lchiu7@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I should add in my neck of the woods we don't have the same range of VTL
providers to choose from so the choice is somewhat limited

On Tue, May 12, 2020, 9:25 AM Laurence Chiu <lchiu7@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

The problem with this entire thread is Laurence needs to hire a
consultant
that does not have a predisposition to specific products and has the
background in IBM i needed to help him and his organization through this
project.

Larry, Pete, me, and several others on this list are in that category.
Several partners are represented.

100% agree. Problem is there is very little IBMi expertise in the
organisation and it's all outsourced to IBM. So sort of asking the wolf to
manage the chickens :-). And there are no IBMi consultants that are readily
available.

So I turn to this list to get some independent advice,

Budget is an issue but not a big one. But to have one solution offered
at $X and IBM's solution at 3$X does mean I need to ask around to ensure
my sponsor that we are getting the best value. And even with the DSI
solution I have been told I need to go to DSI to get the final price and
support. So in all conscience I need to look around.

While it’s an interesting topic there also too many variables involved,
then toss in vendors who see an opportunity and you have a spiderweb to
crawl through.

For readers of this thread that many have been confused by the back and
forth of it. Budget does have a role in deciding the outcome, but
someone
has to make a determination if budget or end goals are more important.
That will light the path to the end.

Our end goals are very clear. Duplicate the SLA's and functionality of
the current environment (also with support outsourced to IBM) and make it
better if possible.