Introduction and Planning Guide

Storage

Multiple compressed versions of the Access Integration Services software and multiple configuration files are stored in your IBM 2212. The storage media is either compact flash or a hard drive.

Hard Drive

Each IBM 2212 with hard drive storage contains two copies of its operational software and up to four configurations for each operational software load (for a total of eight configuration files) in each of two data banks. You can also use the hard drive models to store logs, dumps, and system support data. The hard drive contains at least 2 GB of nonvolatile storage.

Compact Flash

Like the hard drive storage model, the compact flash models (1xF and 4xF) include enough nonvolatile storage (48 MB) to contain two copies of the operational software and up to four configurations for each operational software load (for a total of eight configuration files) in each of two data banks. However, with the compact flash models you must use a LAN-attached network server if you wish to store logs and memory dump files. Because logs and dump files would be needed in the event of a network problem, it is strongly recommended that you use a network server with the IBM 2212 compact flash models.

Network Server

You can use a network server as more than just a storage device for the compact flash models of the IBM 2212. You can use a network server with all models:

• To store configuration files generated by the configuration tool and to transfer them to the router if the configuration tool's communication options feature cannot be used

• To provide temporary storage for dump and log files that are transferred out of the IBM 2212's hard drive

• To load new code

Determining Whether to Order a Hard Drive or Compact Flash Model

When determining which model to order, you should keep in mind that:

• To have the Enterprise code preloaded, you will need to order a hard drive model.

• A hard drive model allows traces, dumps, and other problem determination data to be stored without using an external file server. It is required if you plan to run the APPN topology safe-store function on your IBM 2212. It is recommended for IBM 2212s acting as SNA/APPN nodes.

• A compact flash model requires a TFTP network server with LAN interface access to the IBM 2212. The server provides a place for the IBM 2212 to dump network information and draw on for loading new code images. The server must have sufficient disk space to accommodate dumps, log files, and configuration files. For more information about determining storage requirements for the server, see Network Server Requirements.

• The IBM 2212 Thin Server function can operate with either a compact flash or a hard drive; however, a hard drive is recommended because network station files are saved directly to the hard drive and updated only when they have changed. Each time a IBM 2212 with compact flash and Thin Server network station support is reloaded or restarted, the memory cache is cleared and all the network station files must be retrieved from the master server.