BRMS Virtual Device Usage

BRMS uses virtual devices differently than physical storage devices.

Virtual Tape Libraries (VTL)

Virtual Tape Library (VTL) drives offer dynamic volume sizing which may not allocate the full tape volume size that was requested. If your BRMS backup plan uses VTLs, large size tape volumes will improve BRMS operational efficiency.

• To optimize the VTL with BRMS, review the report output (QP1ABS) from PRTRPTBRM TYPE(*CTLGRPSTAT) 

• The Start Media Balancing for BRM (STRBALBRM) command balances expired media ownership to match the required number of media needed for systems within a BRMS network.     

Normal Virtual Devices

In versions 7.2 and later with the following PTFs: 7.3 SI68856 | 7.2 SI68855

• BRMS will sort the available device resources names alphabetically and pick the first available virtual device resource. 

• BRMS may pick a device which currently has a different image catalog loaded.

• If you have virtual devices which you are using for native operations and don’t want BRMS to use it, the device needs to be allocated.

• BRMS will allocate the device and load the appropriate image catalog on the device for the duration of the backup or restore operation.  After the operation is complete BRMS will unload the image catalog and deallocate the device.     

Turnkey Virtual Devices

In versions 7.2 and later with the following PTFs: 7.3 SI68856 | 7.2 SI68855

• BRMS will generate its own virtual device using the naming convention Q1AVTAPnnn for virtual tape or Q1AVOPTnnn for virtual optical.

• BRMS will vary on and allocate the device and load the appropriate image catalog on the device for the duration of the backup or restore operation.  After the operation is complete BRMS will unload the image catalog and deallocate the device.