Product Details

BCV4 duplicates Db2 and IMS subsystems running on the z/OS operating system. With BCV4, setting up and executing SAP homogeneous system copies, PeopleSoft test environments, and general QA system refreshes become simple job streams. BCV4 is also an essential tool for IT staff implementing Db2 version upgrades.

BCV4 supports stand alone Db2 subsystems and data sharing groups and is compatible with copy services such as native ADRDSSU, Flashcopy, Snapshot, Shadow- Image, etc. BCV4 also clones complex systems, including combined IMS/Db2 environments. It automates the entire process: renames datasets, changes VTOCs and VVDS‘, creates new catalogs, re-catalogs all files and makes the new Db2 subsystem clone immediately usable.

Substantial Benefits
BCV4 is easy to install and execute: For each cloning task, you select from a list of configurations and navigate a short series of intuitive definition steps. Then, BCV4 does the rest, and creates the entire job stream from start to finish. You can execute it using either the company scheduler or manually. You can also set it up so that after you submit the first job, all other jobs are automatically executed following the successful completion of their predecessors. It is also possible to submit each job manually.

Every step necessary to clone a Db2 subsystem is included in the job chain. The drawbacks of labor intensive, error prone tasks are eliminated and time lost due to re-runs is a thing of the past. Once set up, a clone definition may be reused as often as desired. Subsequent executions eliminate the need for tedious setup tasks and expert Db2/IMS staff coordination. Db2 cloning is accomplished with just the “push of a button.”

How BCV4 Clones
Cloning is about copying and renaming many items as fast as possible. BCV4 uses installed hardware assisted fast copy tools, standard ADRDSSU, or existing backups to create copies of volumes and datasets from the source Db2 or IMS subsystems. It executes specialized programs to rename and re-catalog all datasets on the target volumes. It completes this task in a fraction of the time needed by the standard utilities.

After all source data is copied and available, BCV4 also changes the references to those names in the Db2 catalog, BSDS and log. It uses neither SQL nor any Db2 utility to perform these changes, and that‘s what makes it so fast. Users commonly report time savings of 90% and higher. When the target Db2 subsystem is brought up at the end of this process, it has renewed data and is ready to use. It is not magic, but solid craftsmanship with careful attention to detail that yields these performance boosts.

In Summary

Subsystem cloning no longer requires tying up valuable Db2 experts with a time consuming, tedious process that takes many hours or even days to complete. Get a zero RC every time and enjoy the luxury of having an automated and scheduler driven process. BCV4 makes "push button cloning" a reality. And best of all, it goes from start to finish in minutes instead of days.

• Avoid labor intensive and error prone manual work
• Clones entire Db2 and IMS systems at benchmark setting speeds
• Reduce Db2 clone creation time from days to minutes
• Automation that eliminates keystroke errors
• Compatible with Timefinder, Snapshot, Flashcopy, ShadowImage etc.
• Creates SAP / Peoplesoft / Db2 clones for test environments
• Creates testbeds for release changes, upgrades and function level tests
• Clone Db2 subsystems in a 24×7 environment

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