PowerHA Tools for IBM i is the term for the various tools developed by the IBM Systems Lab Services team specializing in PowerHA and external storage solutions for IBM i. These tools cover several areas of functionality that extend and enhance PowerHA functions.

The PowerHA Tools are not a requirement for PowerHA implementation, but rather extend and enhance functionality provided by PowerHA. Over time, some of the functions provided in the PowerHA Tools have been implemented in the core product. See Functionality Previously Provided by IBM Lab Services PowerHA Tools for IBM i for a historical perspective.

IASP Manager - FlashCopy Automation (DS8000)

Provides additional automation for the management of FlashCopy by automating the following items:

Quiesce production IASP
Starting a PowerHA FlashCopy
Varying on FlashCopy target IASP
Run a customized backup program
Vary off the IASP on the FlashCopy target node once backups are complete

PowerHA now provides integrated FlashCopy automation for Spectrum Virtualize (SVC) based storage, including IBM FlashSystems. See the following page for additional information: 7.4 HA 4.5.1 and 7.2 HA 3.7 PTFs (June 2021) and was enhanced further with the 7.4 HA 4.6.1 and 7.2 HA 3.8 PTFs (December 2021).

Smart Assist for PowerHA on IBM i

Provides additional functionality during the set-up and installation phase of the environment, and commands and utilities to assist in administration. The following tools provide additional functionality:

CHKDUPLIBS – check for duplicate libraries
CHKENVRCY – checks the system for files whose access path maintenance are not set to *IMMED, libraries not being journaled, files whose access path recovery is not set to *AFTIPL, files not being journaled, journals not being managed by the system, files that do not omit open and close transactions
CRTPRFDIRE – Exit program used with adding new profiles to admin domain AND adding profile to system distribution directory
CHKUSRPRF/CHGPROF – used to synchronize the UID and GID for user profiles across nodes in the device domain.
DLTPRFDIRE – Delete Directory Entries cluster-wide upon profile deletion
MOVOUTQ – move spooled files to/from an output queue in SYSBAS to/from an output queue in an IASP
RTVASPSTG API – retrieve a user profile’s storage owned in a specific ASP or SYSBAS
RUNSVCCMD – Run SVC CLI Command
Sample Exit Programs – provides various sample exit programs for the following functions:
- Power down system
- Vary on/off IASP

DS8000 Storage Management Toolkit

Manage IBM i host connections
SNMP trap support to send DS8000 messages to QSYSOPR
Manage DS8000 users, password files and password expiration

Functionality Available Directly in PowerHA

Over time, PowerHA has implemented the functions of some of the PowerHA Tools into the core product. See Functionality Previously Provided by IBM Lab Services PowerHA Tools for IBM i for a historical perspective.