The PowerHA Full System FlashCopy (FSFC) for IBM i was created to automate performing backups with minimal impact to a production LPAR. With this toolkit, a full system backup in restricted state can be performed with the users experiencing a pause for (typically) less than 30 seconds. This is achieved using a combination of the HMC to manage the partitions, the ability of IBM i to pause database transactions on a commit boundary, and the FlashCopy function of external storage to create a copy of the production LPAR, from which the backups are taken. This toolkit is provided with services from IBM Technology Expert Labs which includes implementation, customization, skills transfer and support.

The Full System Copy Services Manager (FSFC) for IBM i is unique as it does not require an IASP, but instead Flashes the system ASP. This powerful and flexible toolkit provides additional functions to assist with automation and management of FlashCopy via a set of commands you can use to create a “point in time” copy of a full system for the purposes of performing backups.