Storage and Backup Services
The data center offers a number of services associated with the storage and retrieval of data stored on disk and tape media. DASD (disk) storage is available for the mainframe and UNIX server platforms, and is charged back to customers each month based on the total number of megabytes of storage used. Disk storage on the IBM z/OS platform, referred to as DASD, generally offers greater speed and more functionality than storage on the UNIX or Wintel counterparts. Disaster recovery precautions are also included in the rate for z/OS DASD.
The data center's tape storage is billed to customers by actual usage, when the tape is written or read, rather than by the utilization of tape storage media.
Robotic tape libraries are used for the data center's automated tape processing and are monitored for hardware and software problems. Tape volumes are logged in and out of the data center as required by customers. Older 3480-type tape cartridges are mounted manually since they are used less frequently. Costs normally associated with tape storage such as tape cartridge costs, hardware costs, maintenance fees, floor space, utilities and insurance, are included in COT's tape storage rates.
Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) software is used at the data center for backup and recovery by storing, archiving and restoring data, space management, and for maintaining compliance and disaster-recovery data in a hierarchy of offline storage. Because it is highly scalable, Tivoli Storage Manager can protect servers running a variety of different operating systems, from Wintel servers to mainframe computers, connected together through the Internet, wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs) or storage area networks (SANs). TSM uses Web-based management and intelligent data move-and-store capabilities.
Online viewing of report pages on DASD is charged back to data center customers in units of 100 pages.
For additional information, contact COT.Operations@ky.gov or 502-564-1611.
ST10 - Storage Mainframe (z/OS DASD)
The Storage – Online rate reflects COT’s overall responsibility for storing, managing and protecting Executive Branch data resident on the z/OS Server (the IBM Mainframe). The rate includes data management precautions including weekly backups and 48-hour Disaster Recovery via restoration of data for those systems deemed "critical". Agencies requesting data restoration for reasons other than business continuity (i.e. inadvertently deleted files) will be billed an additional per-hour charge. TSM backups are charged at the ST20 rate.
Support staff are available Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. Emergency after hour pager support is available.
ST20 - Storage Open Systems Tape Services
The Storage - Archive/Offsite category represents a rated service for TSM backup of data on non-z/OS (i.e. not the IBM Mainframe) servers. COT does not provide the agency with a Disaster Recovery methodology under this rated service.
Support staff are available Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. Emergency after hour pager support is available.
ST30 - Storage Mainframe (z/OS) Tape Services
This rate includes the cost of maintaining COT's tape subsystem and library. Mainframe I/O's are accumulated by batch jobs and charged at the ST30 rate.
Support staff are available Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. Emergency after hour pager support is available.
ST40 - Storage Mainframe (z/OS) RDS
The RDS facility allows for storage of z/OS-based reports on mainframe DASD. Upon initial creation of the report, the account number assigned at the time of report creation is charged at the ST40 rate.
Support staff are available Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. Emergency after hour pager support is available.
ST50 - Storage Open Systems
Open systems storage is charged at the ST50 rate. Backup of the stored data is not included in the ST50 rate. Additionally, storage permanently assigned (not capable of being shared by other servers) to a particular server is billed based on the amount of storage permanently assigned, as opposed to actual usage. (i.e. if an agency requests 10GB, they will be charged for the 10GB, even if they actually use 9.5 of the 10.)
Support staff are available Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. Emergency after hour pager support is available.