BRMS Overview
Backup, Recovery, and Media Services (BRMS) helps you implement a disciplined approach to managing your backups, and provides you with an orderly way to retrieve lost or damaged data.
BRMS Characteristics
Backup
When you back up data using BRMS, information about each item backed up is stored in the backup history. This information includes the item name, type of backup done on that item, the date of the backup, and the volume on which each item is backed up. You can then restore items by selecting them from the backup history; the information in the backup history is also used for full system recoveries.
Recovery
The primary reason for having a backup and recovery strategy and doing regular backups is to be ready if an item needs to be restored, or if your entire system needs to be recovered.
Media
BRMS keeps an inventory of media and simplifies media management by tracking everything in that inventory—what pieces of information are backed up where and which media have available space. Once you back up your data, you can use BRMS to help you track your media as it moves through the different storage locations you define.
BRMS Monitoring Components
Monitoring Commands
Two BRMS monitoring commands are supplied:
MONCHKBML allows you to monitor the total number of a nominated messages currently present in the BRMS log. The command runs the DSPLOGBRM command and checks the resulting spooled file to obtain the number of messages. The command uses the current date as the from date unless date area MONCHKBML is present, in which case the value stored in that data area is used.
MONCHKBMS allows you to monitor the total number of tapes in a specified status, by location, container, media class, and system. The command runs the WRKMEDBRM command and checks the resulting spooled file to obtain the number of tapes that satisfy the criteria entered. There are three different types of values that can be returned: the total active tapes, the total expired tapes, and the total volumes.
Note: The commands must exist on the central system, in addition to any monitored remote systems.
User Defined Monitors (User Supplied Integer)
When adding the definitions, they will both be User Supplied Integer.
In order for the command to run, you need to create a job description that contains the QSystem Monitor installed library (usually MSM) together with the BRMS installed library (usually QBRM).
MONCHKBML: Check BRMS Message Log
MSGID Message ID Type (Integer)
It's advisable to use the message ID, such as BRM1993, in the short description as this can then be used in thresholds later.
Some examples of the message IDs that should be monitored are as follows:
- BRM412F - Cartridge not available.
- CPF67A1 - Cartridge not found.
- BRM401A - Volume ID does not match cartridge ID.
- BRM1993 - Volume is write protected.
The command must be qualified, for example, MSM/MONCHKBML MSGID(BRM1993). When you click the prompt button, you're presented with the prompt window where you can use the drop-down lists to assist with the set up.
A default global threshold needs to be created, with entries added showing all possible values that can be returned for the parameters supplied:
| Value | Long Description | Short Desc. | Severity |
|---|
| 0 |
|
|
0 |
| 1 |
There have been &v &n : "&N" msgs on &S today. |
|
50 |
MONCHKBMS: Check BRMS Media Status Type (Integer)
LOC Location Type (Name)
CNR Container Type (Name)
MEDCLS Media Class Type (Name)
SYSNAME System name Type (Text)
TYPE Type of Value Type (Name)
It's advisable to use the type of value, such as *TOTEXP, in the short description as this can then be used in thresholds later.
The types of values that can be monitored are as follows:
- *TOTACT - Returns the total number of active volumes.
- *TOTEXP - Returns the total number of expired volumes.
- *TOTVOL - Returns the total number of volumes.
The command must be qualified, for example, MSM/MONCHKBMS TYPE(*TOTVOL). When you click the prompt button, you're presented with the prompt window where you can use the drop-down lists to assist with the set up.
A default global threshold needs to be created, with entries added showing all possible values that can be returned for the parameters supplied:
| Value | Long Description | Short Desc. | Severity |
|---|
| 0 |
There are insufficient expired tapes for tonight’s backup on &S. Required 25, Actual &v. |
|
50 |
| 25 |
There are sufficient tapes, &v, for tonight's backups on &S. |
OK |
50 |
