Chapter 14. Data Management

Data are crucial to a business and the mainframe enjoys the reputation as the best keeper of corporate data. In this chapter, we will turn to examples of ISPCompany and StoreCompany to show how Linux on the mainframe can use that mainframe potential and what Linux provides for managing data. But before going into details, let's summarize the scope of data management.

Ultimately, data management ensures that data are available to legitimate users and applications when they need them, while protecting them from misuse or damage through unauthorized access. Data management governs the entire life cycle, from creating new data to archiving or destroying obsolete data.

Data management also covers the physical aspects of storage, including devices, cabling, and floor space. Data for a mainframe Linux image can reside on a variety of devices, including traditional mainframe devices. The mainframe also provides flexibility in the way devices can be attached, the possibility for access path redundancy, and capabilities for dynamic reconfiguration.

In this chapter, we will first discuss some important technical concepts about storing data on the mainframe. Building on this discussion, we will then explore what Linux on the mainframe has to offer to data management. Along with the key data management tasks of Figure 14-1, we will address these questions:

• How can I ensure that data are available only to legitimate users?

• Can I use SCSI devices?

• Do I have to acquire new devices, or can I use devices I already have?

• How can I protect my data from loss or damage from user, application, or hardware errors?

• How do I attain satisfactory performance when disks and channel paths are shared?

Figure 14-1. Data management discipline