How is Image Copy Plus configured and controlled?

Image Copy Plus uses JCL (Job Control Language) to define and execute backup jobs. Users submit JCL jobs that specify the databases to be backed up, the output datasets, and other parameters. Configuration is primarily managed through JCL parameters and control statements.

What are the main components of Image Copy Plus?

The core component of Image Copy Plus is the backup engine, which handles the reading of database data and writing of image copy datasets. The engine interacts with the IMS database system through standard IMS APIs. There are no external APIs exposed.

What storage mechanisms does Image Copy Plus use?

Image Copy Plus primarily uses sequential datasets for storing image copies. These datasets are typically stored on DASD (Direct Access Storage Devices) or tape. The product does not support object storage or cloud-based storage mechanisms.

Does Image Copy Plus offer any APIs for integration?

Image Copy Plus does not expose any APIs for external integration. All operations are performed through JCL and control statements within the z/OS environment. There is no support for REST, SOAP, or other API-based integrations.

What business value did Image Copy Plus provide?

Image Copy Plus aimed to reduce the time required to create image copies of IMS databases, which could improve the availability of the database during backup operations. Faster backups can lead to shorter maintenance windows and reduced downtime.

How did Image Copy Plus support business continuity?

By providing faster image copy operations, Image Copy Plus could help organizations meet their recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs) for IMS databases. This is crucial for business continuity and disaster recovery planning.

What were the implementation considerations for Image Copy Plus?

Image Copy Plus was designed to be a drop-in replacement for the standard IMS image copy utility, minimizing the need for extensive retraining or changes to existing backup processes. This ease of implementation could reduce the overall cost of ownership.

What was the core value proposition of Image Copy Plus?

The primary value proposition of Image Copy Plus was its ability to improve the speed of IMS database backups. This could translate to reduced backup windows, allowing for more frequent backups and improved data protection.

What security features does Image Copy Plus offer?

Image Copy Plus does not have built-in security features beyond the standard z/OS security mechanisms. It relies on z/OS security features, such as RACF or equivalent, for access control and authorization. There is no specific encryption provided.

How are the image copy datasets secured?

Image Copy Plus relies on the security features of the z/OS operating system to protect the image copy datasets. This includes access control lists (ACLs) and other security measures implemented at the operating system level. There is no built-in encryption.

What audit capabilities are available in Image Copy Plus?

Image Copy Plus does not provide specific audit logging capabilities. Auditing of backup operations is typically handled through the standard z/OS auditing mechanisms, which can track job submissions, dataset access, and other relevant events.

How is Image Copy Plus administered?

Image Copy Plus is managed through JCL jobs submitted to the z/OS system. There is no graphical user interface or web console. Monitoring is typically done through the z/OS system console and job logs. There are no specific monitoring tools.

How is user management handled in Image Copy Plus?

User management is handled through the z/OS security system, such as RACF or equivalent. Access to Image Copy Plus resources and datasets is controlled through user profiles and permissions defined within the z/OS security system.

What are the main configuration parameters?

The main configuration parameters for Image Copy Plus are specified within the JCL job. These parameters include the input database datasets, the output image copy datasets, and various control options. There is no separate configuration file.

What monitoring and logging capabilities exist?

Monitoring of Image Copy Plus operations is performed through the z/OS system console and job logs. The job logs provide information about the progress of the backup, any errors encountered, and the resources used. There are no specific monitoring tools.

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Image Copy Plus

Name: Image Copy Plus
Availability: InStock

BMC Not Supported z/OS

Databases Backup and Restore IMS

Vendor

BMC

Product Overview

Image Copy Plus's architecture centered on a backup engine that directly interfaced with the IMS database system. The engine read data from IMS database datasets and wrote image copies to sequential datasets. The primary components included the backup engine, the JCL interface, and the z/OS operating system.

The backup engine utilized optimized I/O operations and parallel processing to improve backup performance. The JCL interface provided the means to define and submit backup jobs, specifying input and output datasets, and control parameters. There were no external APIs.

Security was provided by the z/OS security system, such as RACF, which controlled access to datasets and resources. The product used sequential datasets for storing image copies, typically on DASD or tape. The backup process did not involve any network communication or specific port requirements.

The product's design was tightly coupled with the IMS database structure and the z/OS environment. Image Copy Plus is no longer supported; users should migrate to a supported solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Image Copy Plus?

Image Copy Plus is a high-speed utility designed for backing up IMS databases on z/OS. It provides a replacement for the standard IMS image copy utility, offering improved performance for full function and DEDB databases. The product was initially released in the 1990s.

What are the primary functions of Image Copy Plus?

Image Copy Plus focuses on creating image copies of IMS databases. It does not provide the broader range of features found in modern backup and recovery solutions, such as point-in-time recovery, log-based backups, or integration with other database systems.

How does Image Copy Plus improve backup performance?

Image Copy Plus was designed to improve the speed of image copy operations compared to the standard IMS utility. It achieves this through optimized I/O operations and parallel processing techniques. The exact performance gains depend on the specific database and hardware configuration.

What types of IMS databases does Image Copy Plus support?

Image Copy Plus primarily supports full function and DEDB databases within the IMS environment. It is not designed for other database types or platforms. The product's capabilities are tightly coupled with the IMS database structure.

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Share Your Product Experience

Image Copy Plus

Product Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Image Copy Plus?

What are the primary functions of Image Copy Plus?

How does Image Copy Plus improve backup performance?

What types of IMS databases does Image Copy Plus support?

How is Image Copy Plus configured and controlled?

What are the main components of Image Copy Plus?

What storage mechanisms does Image Copy Plus use?

Does Image Copy Plus offer any APIs for integration?

What business value did Image Copy Plus provide?

How did Image Copy Plus support business continuity?

What were the implementation considerations for Image Copy Plus?

What was the core value proposition of Image Copy Plus?

What security features does Image Copy Plus offer?

How are the image copy datasets secured?

What audit capabilities are available in Image Copy Plus?

How is Image Copy Plus administered?

How is user management handled in Image Copy Plus?

What are the main configuration parameters?

What monitoring and logging capabilities exist?

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