A Detailed Overview of Testing and Interoperability Success

In a landscape where data management, storage extension, and disaster recovery are mission-critical, Lightsand’s technology stands out for enabling seamless Storage Area Network (SAN) extensions across wide-area networks (WANs) and metropolitan-area networks (MANs). As part of the IBM TotalStorage Proven Program, Lightsand’s gateways were rigorously tested in various scenarios involving enterprise-class storage solutions such as IBM’s Storage DS8900 and zSeries servers. These tests aimed to ensure high availability, low latency, and uninterrupted data replication across vast distances, with the added complexity of connecting diverse systems through FICON and Fibre Channel protocols.

Below is a comprehensive review of some of the most significant testing templates conducted under this program, showcasing Lightsand’s success in providing robust storage extension solutions.

One of the first tests focused on a Peer-to-Peer Virtual Tape Server (VTS) solution that involved extending FICON channels across a 150-kilometer MAN connection. The testing was done in cooperation with IBM BCRS (Business Continuity and Recovery Services). The equipment used included IBM Tape Libraries TS7770, IBM 3592, and zSeries servers.

Key highlights:

• Seamless Relocation: The customer needed a high availability architecture to relocate their data center without downtime or data loss. Lightsand’s i-7100F FICON extension gateways enabled continuous data operations during the migration, utilizing two Gigabit Ethernet links for redundancy.

• 150 km Extension: The FICON channels were successfully extended over 150 km with a round-trip time (RTT) of 1.3 ms, allowing for high-speed data transfer between the two VTS systems.

Results: The solution was deployed successfully in a customer production environment, operating for over a month without issues exceeding IBM’s rigorous 72-hour testing requirements. This template demonstrated that Lightsand could enable seamless high-speed data migration without compromising on data integrity or uptime.

The Metro/Global Copy testing involved asynchronous data replication between two DS8900 storage systems using PPRC (Peer-to-Peer Remote Copy) over a WAN connection of 200 km. The architecture required synchronous data replication for local redundancy and asynchronous replication for remote disaster recovery.

Key highlights:

• Redundant Links: Multiple Gigabit Ethernet links were used to ensure redundancy, enabling load-sharing and uninterrupted data replication across long distances.

• Asynchronous Data Replication: The asynchronous setup allowed continuous operations while data replication was underway, with no significant impact on system performance.

Results: The system was tested and deployed in the customer’s production environment, achieving comprehensive-level certification. The data replication processes ran flawlessly, with no downtime or performance degradation. Lightsand’s i-8100A gateways effectively handled the extension of Fibre Channel (FC) interfaces, making them integral to the disaster recovery strategy of the client.

In this test, Lightsand i-7100F FICON extension gateways were used to copy data between STK FlexLine storage subsystems and DS8900 arrays located 500 km apart, connecting systems at the customer site and the IBM BCRS center. The test focused on disk-to-disk data replication, utilizing DiskCopy over FICON channels.

Key Highlights:

• 500 km WAN Extension: The FICON channels were extended over a 500 km WAN with 5 ms RTT, demonstrating Lightsand’s capability to manage long-distance data replication.

• Full Redundancy: The entire setup included duplicate connections to ensure complete redundancy, safeguarding against any network failure or data loss.

Results: The DiskCopy operations ran without error, even under heavy loads, proving the reliability and efficiency of Lightsand’s FICON extension technology in long-distance scenarios.

The testing template for Remote Tape Backup involved Lightsand’s i-8100A gateways connecting remote Fibre Channel fabrics over a 500 km WAN link. This test integrated IBM 3592 tape libraries with LTO enclosures and iSeries servers, providing a secure, remote backup solution.

Key Highlights:

• Security and Isolation: Using AR/DAT (Autonomous Region/Domain Address Translation), Lightsand successfully isolated the SAN fabrics, ensuring that both locations could operate independently without SAN merge. This added an extra layer of security by restricting access to remote devices.

• 500 km Link: The test validated the seamless transmission of remote tape backup across 500 km of WAN without any data loss or interruption.

Results: After a year of deployment, the Remote Tape Backup solution remained operational without issues. Lightsand’s SAN extension technology proved to be a critical component in providing secure, scalable, and reliable remote backup capabilities for iSeries servers.

In this test, Lightsand’s i-7100F gateways were used to extend FICON channels between two DS8900 at a customer site and IBM’s BCRS center. The Extended Remote Copy (XRC) application was tested over a 500 km WAN link to evaluate its ability to manage long-distance data replication efficiently.

Key Highlights:

• Multi-System Environment: The testing involved multiple storage systems, including IBM DS8900 units. Lightsand’s technology facilitated seamless interconnectivity across these platforms.

• Redundancy and Performance: The solution operated without downtime, demonstrating full redundancy and consistent performance over extended distances.

Results: The XRC solution was successfully deployed, maintaining data integrity and high availability. Lightsand’s gateways enabled reliable data transfer across a complex, multi-system environment, making them ideal for enterprise-level disaster recovery.

The IBM TotalStorage Proven program’s tests underscore Lightsand’s technology as a game-changer for enterprises requiring reliable, scalable, and secure storage extension solutions. By extending FICON and Fibre Channel interfaces over long distances with minimal latency, Lightsand empowers businesses to implement robust disaster recovery, remote backup, and data migration strategies.

Through cutting-edge technologies like AR/DAT, load-sharing, and WAN optimization, Lightsand enables seamless integration across multiple storage platforms, ensuring that mission-critical data is always available, no matter the distance. These comprehensive tests serve as a testament to Lightsand’s role as a leader in SAN extension connectivity, offering unmatched performance, reliability, and flexibility in today’s increasingly interconnected world.