DR/Xpert

Automatic and Accurate Data Identification

It all starts here. Identification of critical data is one of the most important tasks in the disaster recovery process. The challenge is determining what data is truly critical. Multiple sources of information are necessary in order to ensure that nothing is missed. Researching this information is time consuming and error-prone; an automated solution is needed. DR/Xpert is that solution.

DR/Xpert collects information from SMF, JCL libraries, and the production job scheduler. It then analyzes this information and creates the critical file list from which backups are made.

Tape Data Inclusion

Not all critical data resides on disk. DR/Xpert identifies critical tape data, whether on virtual or physical tape, and includes it for backup to provide the most complete set of data for recovery.

Mirroring Support

DR/Xpert recognizes volumes that are mirrored, the data location, and reports this information.  This enables you to manage applications based on their RPO/RTO objectives.  DR/Xpert complements your mirroring plan by making sure that a valid backup is always available from which to restore.

Offsite Data Encryption

DR/Xpert allows you to selectively encrypt your sensitive data during the backup process using our integrated CopyCrypt encryption feature.  CopyCrypt supports the use of both software encryption, using technology validated by Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS), and hardware encryption, by interfacing with an IBM mainframe Cryptographic Coprocessor. CopyCrypt also offers two key management options: IBM ICSF key database or CopyCrypt key database.

Automate Change Management

Change happens. Applications, jobs, and data sets are added, modified, or removed on a regular basis. DR/Xpert continually monitors for change so that the critical data list is always up-to-date without intervention. Backups are adjusted, if necessary, so that no critical data is omitted.

Flexible Filtering

DR/Xpert’s powerful filters provide you with the ability to group or segregate data based on your needs: by company, division, line of business, LPAR or application. Exclude or include data based on your criteria. DR/Xpert’s flexible filters allow you to monitor and effectively manage data so that bandwidth and mirroring benefits are maximized, and critical data on virtual tape is backed up to physical tape. DR/Xpert helps you get the most out of your mirroring and virtual tape investments by ensuring data location through the use of these filtering options.

"Anytime" Backup Window

DR/Xpert dynamically works with the installed job scheduling system so that backups are seamlessly inserted into the daily processing schedule. This built in automation makes sure that backups execute based on desired tape utilization or the amount of data available for backup and minimizes backup window issues. By backing up data when it is available, device contention is reduced and tape devices are utilized more efficiently during the processing day. The backup window becomes ‘anytime’.

Migrated Dataset Backup

A restriction of the DFSMSdss backup process is that DSS cannot be used to process datasets migrated by DFSMShsm. DR/Xpert resolves this by automatically recalling migrated critical datasets, so that they are residing on primary DASD and available for backup.

Virtual Tape Support

DR/Xpert provides additional backup and recovery options to Tape/Copy VDR users.  DR/Xpert DASD file backups can be directed to a virtual tape library where VDR is then used to backup those files, making duplex copies if desired.  DR/Xpert’s VDR interface allows the files to be recovered directly to DASD, without performing an intermediate VDR recovery first.  Alternatively, VDR can be used to recover the files back into the VTL so that they are readily available for DR/Xpert recovery processing.  Using DR/Xpert and VDR together in this capacity allows you to exploit the benefits of using the VTL, such as reduced backup window and reduced media costs, without sacrificing critical recovery time.

Efficient, Automatic Recovery

The key to fast recovery is preparation and automation.  DR/Xpert’s internal database contains all the information necessary to recover your critical data in a quick, efficient manner.  To save time and effort at the recovery site, DR/Xpert can build recovery JCL when the data is backed up, and uses intelligent stacking when creating the backup tapes to prevent device contention during recovery.  DR/Xpert tracks and reports on all recovery processes, so you know exactly what was recovered and when.   It also updates its internal databases so that when it’s time to go back to the home site, your critical data is accounted for.

DB2 Support

Maintaining DB2 image copy and recovery JCL is one of the most tedious of all tasks that a Database Administrator must perform.  DR/Xpert for DB2 performs intelligent auditing of the DB2 catalog to gather data about new, changed, and dropped DB2 tablespace and indexspace objects.  This automated discovery process ensures that image copy and recovery JCL are available for all current DB2 user objects and alleviates the requirement for DBAs to manually track this ever-changing environment.  DR/Xpert for DB2 automatically generates image copy and recovery JCL, based on current DB2 catalog definitions, for all DB2 objects in a group and supports both full and incremental image copies. The DB2 Utility JCL can be submitted by your job scheduling package to lessen the amount of operator intervention.

Comprehensive Reporting

DR/Xpert provides comprehensive reports that help your staff manage and understand your critical data and applications. Because the reports are managed by DR/Xpert, your staff can quickly and easily locate them. In addition, a query function is provided so that staff can learn why data sets are critical, or why they are not.

Proactively Manage Exceptions

Save time and avoid audit or compliance issues by managing staff focus. DR/Xpert provides exception reports that identify issues that may affect recovery. Timely correction of exposures provides the assurance that your critical business applications are backed up and recoverable if the need arises.

Auditing & Compliance

Achieve corporate audit and compliance objectives by providing proof that critical data is backed up and vaulted appropriately. DR/Xpert automatically maintains a history of backup reports, so that historical information can be provided on request. DR/Xpert’s internal auditing feature validates currency of backups, tape utilization, and out-codes for vaulting.

Technically Speaking

DR/Xpert's unique JCL scanning technology will identify all datasets in a concatenation list, including datasets in the JCL that are never opened or referenced by the application but are required for the application to execute successfully, and will resolve symbolic substitutions. Dr/Xpert's path analysis will identify start and end jobs as well as cross-application files.
Access to VSAM files via a path name is resolved so that the entire sphere is captured, ensuring all components (cluster, data, index, alternate indices and paths) are backed up without manual research or intervention.
DR/Xpert supports the following utilities: ABARS, DMS, DSS, FAVER, FDR and Tape/Copy.