Report for March 2022
- Report Date
- March 2022
Achievements in Last Period
- Tape library kit delivered at ACF on 04/03/2022 as scheduled; storage of kit at ACF approved
- Tape library upgrade now scheduled for week 25/04/2022; dependent on TSM server upgrades
- OCF engaged to provide support for tape removal, frame moves, etc.
- Additional tapes delivered to JCMB on 28/03/2022
- Timeline and plan revised for 25/04/2022 installation date; estimated project closure 10/06/2022
Risks/Issues
-
Tape library upgrade delayed by TSM server upgrade issues now scheduled for week 25/04/2022 (-)
- ENT will run with cache-only (no tape) backups after library upgrade until their version of TSM is upgraded or they move to Veeam (-)
- Disk cache limit (800TB) may be at risk during installation as tape will not be available (-)
- Replacement needed as the current tape library is end-of-life (-)
- RSS resource capacity is at risk as project (P1) will run in parallel with RSS402 Infrastructure Refresh (P1) and RSS401 GPU Refresh (P2) (-)
- RSS resourcing for preparation and installation weeks available (+)
- Current allocated budget is £750K (+)
- Currently within budget (£30-40K available) (+)
- FES and cabling costs still to be added ()-)
- All equipment must be received by June 2022 (-)
- All equipment is now GRNed and onsite (+)
- The new IBM 4500 tape library will support higher density tapes and so increase storage capacity (+)
- Current tape library end modules, that are to be retained, need to be aligned in preparation for the installation of cold aisle containment (-)
- Included in installation costs/plan (+)
- Possible industrial action – additional UCU consultation with staff in progress (-)
Next Steps
- Complete TSM server upgrades before planned installation date
- Hold go/no-go meeting week 18/04/2022
- Upgrade tape library week 25/04/2022
- IBM will disconnect old frame
- OCF will remove frames
- OCF will unpack/position new frames
- OCF will remove/store/replace tapes;
- RSS supervision will be in place throughout
- TSM backups to be suspended 24/04/2022
- ENT tapes to be removed ahead of time; date to confirmed
- RSS tapes to be removed manually by OCF and stored prior to upgrade
- Patch panels (3) to be installed inside frames
- Arrange for re-connection of fibre after upgrade with FES
- TSM storage server upgrade to be installed post library upgrade; planned date 03/08/2022
Installation schedule
| Date(s) | Activity |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24/04/2022 | Disable library (remote); backups suspended |
| Monday 25/04/2022 | Remove RSS and ENT tapes and store (3000+ tapes) |
| Tuesday 26/04/2022 | Disassemble frames; optimise frame movement |
| Wednesday 27/04/2022 | Retained frames put in place/upgraded; library frame installed; tape frames installed |
| Wednesday/Thursday 27-28/04/2022 | Load RSS old/new tapes; overnight scan of tapes |
| Thursday/Friday 28-29/04/2022 | Reconnect fibre cables; reactivate TSM; backups restarted |
Milestones
| Date | Milestone | Phase | Complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03/12/2021 | Project brief and project plan drafted | Initiate | Yes |
| 17/12/2021 | Project brief and plan reviewed and approved | Plan | Yes |
| 17/12/2021 | End of planning | Plan | Yes |
| 13/12/2021 | Upgrade design discussed and agreed with IBM | Design | Yes |
| 13/12/2022 | Final quotes and lead times received | Procure | Yes |
| 20/12/2022 | Full tape library order (hardware) placed | Procure | Yes |
| 21/01/2022 | Final configuration services agreed | Design | Yes |
| 31/01/2022 | Delivery dates agreed with IBM/OCF and communicated to ACF | Design | Yes |
| 04/02/2022 | Additional purchase order(s) raised and submitted for tape library cabling, onsite storage and patch panel | Procure | Yes |
| 04/02/2022 | Installation dates communicated to users | Design | Yes |
| 04/02/2022 | Installation planning and RAMS completed with IBM/OCF | Design | Yes |
| 04/02/2022 | ACF Data Centre installation planning complete and RAMS approved | Design | Yes |
| 11/02/2022 | ACF Data Centre preparation complete | Design | Yes |
| 04/03/2022 | TS4500 upgrades delivered to ACF | Build | Yes |
| 25/04/2022 | TS4500 upgrade starts | Build | No |
| 29/04/2022 | New TS4500 components installed and integrated | Integrate | No |
| 02/05/2022 | TS4500 installation commissioned and approved | Accept | No |
| 06/05/2022 | Disposal of TS3500 equipment completed | Deliver | No |
| 10/06/2022 | Project closed | Close | No |