Standard Features with
Maxava HA Enterprise+
Feature
Others
Maxava HA Enterprise+
Replication for Database Files, Objects, IFS Objects and Directories, Folders, Spooled Files, User Profiles, DLO and IBM MQ Explanation: Comprehensive replication for almost everything that runs on IBM i.
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Negligible Resources Consumed on SOURCE and not reliant on QAUDJRN Explanation: The Audit Journal (QAUDJRN) is a valuable tool for protecting the IBM i server with over 70 auditable events. However, in large environments, it can become overwhelmed with hundreds of thousands of entries every minute. Some logical replication solutions heavily rely on reading this journal for high availability, but reading the vast number of events can consume a significant amount of CPU and lead to bottlenecks. This can cause delays in replicating crucial transactions to the target server and potentially leave the business vulnerable. Maxava has taken a unique approach and does not require any core jobs to be active on the production server reading QAUDJRN. Maxava’s innovative command intercept method minimizes the resource requirement on the source server and performs the majority of the processing on the target, away from the demands of production environments. This approach ensures the transactions are relayed quickly and in their natural order, eliminating the need for re-sequencing on the target system. Maxava’s efficiency is achieved through the use of a library named MAXSYS, which contains IBM commands for dynamic replication. The MAXSYS library is located above QSYS in the System Library List (QSYSLIBL) and each copied command has its Command Processing Program (CPP) modified to a Maxava version and is tagged with an exit point program to initiate a Maxava HA function before the normal execution of the QSYS command. The Maxava HA action is transparent to applications, and the QSYS command operates normally. Object and data activity are captured and moved from the production server instantly adding next to no overhead to the production server.
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IFS Replication with Speed and Efficiency Explanation: Over the years, the Integrated File System (IFS) has become an integral and crucial aspect of the IBM i server. Many Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and homegrown applications rely heavily on the IFS for their operations. Recognizing the importance of the IFS, Maxava have taken a proactive approach and developed a solution that provides both flexibility and efficiency when compared to some other products available in the market. Unlike some competitive solutions that limit the number of apply sessions tasked with replicating the IFS, Maxava HA has no restrictions, enabling users to run an unlimited number of apply sessions resulting in a multi-threaded apprach. For many, this results in faster end-to-end replication. Additionally, Maxava HA does not require the use of the IBM i Audit Journal for the replication of the IFS, often considered to be a bottleneck.
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Library Name Mapping Explanation: A feature which allows files to be renamed as they are being replicated.
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Multi-node Replication Explanation: No architectual limit to the number of nodes (servers) in a Maxava HA configuration, providing the ability to role swap to any target server.
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Intra-replication Explanation: Single partition-based replication.
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SYSBAS Replication Explanation: Replication of objects residing in the System Auxiliary Storage Pool.
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Support for PowerHA Configurations Explanation: Where PowerHA handles the replication of objects capable of residing in an IASP, Maxava HA provides support for everything outside the IASP that either lives in SYSBAS or is not capable of being stored in an IASP.
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Simulated Role Swap Explanation: Allows IBM i environments to test their failover processes to ensure the new server is ready, named “simulated” as the production or source processing doesn’t actually shift over to the new IBM i server. The production machine keeps on processing transactions for applications and users, while Maxava continus replicating the changes to the target machine using IBM‘s remote journaling. But instead of applying them immediately, as Maxava’s software would normally do, the target machine stores the changes and only applies them to the database after the test is over.
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Replication to and from IASPs Explanation: With IASPs a pre-requisite for PowerHA, Maxava HA is capable of dovetailing with this storage-based solution.
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Replication to IBM Cloud, Power Virtual Server, Skytap on Azure, Google Cloud or AWS Explanation: With ports 446, 447, 448 and 3777 open, replication can take place irrespective of geographical location along with the choice of synchronous or asynchronous based replication.
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Audit Efficiency Explanation: Ensuring data integrity is always a top priority in high availability solutions - making auditing of data crucial - Maxava HA offers flexible auditing options with three distinct variations being available: existence audits to verify the presence of objects, description audits to check key attributes, and content audits to examine the data within objects. This flexibility extends to the ability to run audits on configurations, libraries, specific objects, object names, and object types, in both fix and reporting modes. For large objects, partial content audits can be performed at the block level, ensuring data is checked and repaired efficiently. As the audit entries are received, they are distributed across the apply jobs so that multiple description or content checks can be done concurrently. This parallelism is what provides the performance required to process large numbers of IFS objects.
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Full Role Swap Explanation: An IBM i role swap is a process that allows for the seamless transition of a primary and secondary system role, enabling the backup system to take over the primary role in the event of a failure. This process involves copying system data and configurations from the primary system to the secondary system, ensuring that both systems are in sync. During a role swap, the secondary system becomes the primary system, taking on all processing responsibilities, while the original primary system is designated as the secondary system. This allows for uninterrupted business operations and ensures business continuity in the event of a system failure or downtime. A successful IBM i role swap requires careful planning, testing, and execution to minimize the risk of data loss or system downtime. Organizations should have a well-defined role swap process in place to ensure a smooth transition and quick recovery in the event of a system failure.
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Management from a Graphical Interface Explanation: Maxava's GUI was written before a 5250 green-screen interface and as such is feature-rich. A browser-based version of the GUI is currently in beta.
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Remote Role Swap Explanation: Utilizing Maxava maxView enables remote monitoring, management and the ability to perform a role swap on command from a mobile device by utilizing our powerful and proprietary Command Scripting Functionality remotely. In the event of a failure, activating a switch to the back-up server is within your control.
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Cloud to Cloud (Multi-cloud) Replication Explanation: With ports 446, 447, 448 and 3777 open, replication can take place irrespective of geographical location along with the choice of synchronous or asynchronous based replication.
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Support for Db2 Mirror configurations Explanation: With geographical limitations with Db2 Mirror for i, pairing Maxava HA with the solution enables the replication of data to an additional node, irrespective of location.
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Mixed Level Replication Explanation: Replicate to and from IBM i levels up to two apart, for example V7R3 to 7.5 is supported.
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Support for Both Old and New Servers Explanation: Servers running V5R3 through to 7.5 are supported.
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Pricing Explanation: Maxava is a long-time leader in offering subscription-based pricing, which is now the most common pricing option in the industry. This model allows you to shift from a capital expenditure to a more manageable monthly or yearly operational cost and provides flexibility as your needs change. However, perpetual license and maintenance options are still available for those who prefer a traditional approach to software ownership. For those using Maxava HA for migration, the company offers a short-term licensing model for moving to new on-premise hardware, public cloud instances such as Skytap on Azure or IBM’s Power Virtual Server, or partner clouds.
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Global Support Explanation: Maxava provides 24/7 customer service and support with a “follow-the-sun” model. It has a team of experienced personnel in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Japan, providing first class local support and quick resolution of customer issues and inquiries.
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Geographical Replication Explanation: With ports 446, 447, 448 and 3777 open, replication can take place irrespective of geographical location along with the choice to use synchronous or asynchronous based replication.