Shield Advanced Solutions, leading providers of High Availability software, released Version 7, Release 1, PTF05 for HA4i (High Availability for the IBM i). HA4i a premier logical replication solution for IBM i that provides the ability to replicate system data and objects between systems using the latest technology. HA4i delivers a flexible and simplistic approach to implementing an HA solution which allows small to mid-sized companies to achieve an affordable High Availability solution which they can manage in-house.

This release will be the last PTF update to V7.1, as the new product V7.2 is ready for shipping. The revisions have been made to satisfy customer requests and fixes. The new features added in this PTF include:

• Additional Object support New Object types have been added to the growing list of objects which HA4i will monitor and replicate on change. The latest objects to be added are *FORMDF,*OVL, *PAGSEG, *TBL, *VLDL, *WSCST. Improved Journal Based IFS
• Audit of the IFS structure
• Ability to build the IFS structure based on audit results
• Additional inspection options A number of new options have been added to the monitoring screens to allow the user to drill down and view the data associated with a specific error.
• New Receiver management
• Improved IFS path resolution
• Ability to audit Large libraries
• IFS IDX cleanup
• Monitoring HA4i has its own monitoring and notification process (STATUSCHK) which runs on a predetermined time schedule, this process has evolved overtime to allow better recovery and reporting of any issues found/corrected. This PTF contains a number of significant improvements for the command which should further reduce the effort required to monitor and manage the product.

“As always we are surprised by some of the methods used by programmers in their applications, this has required a number of fixes to programs which work around these methods to allow the replication process to function effectively. While these are not shown as new enhancements they are allowing HA4i to work in environments without error even if the methods used are not good programming practice.” explains Chris Hird, president of Shield Advanced Solutions. “Shield is well known for listening to our customers and, whenever practical, we add new features and functionality to meet their demands, improving their experience with our products.”

Technical

HA4i requires IBM i V5R4 and upwards and uses remote journaling for database replication. Object replication is triggered by the use of the audit journal and advanced request filtering to ensure effective resource use. All of the changes within this release have been made with simplicity in mind. Installation and management should be possible by regular skilled staff without the need of a specially certified consultant. Licensing is IBM tier-based.

Information: www.shieldadvanced.com

Product information: www.shieldadvanced.com/ibm-i-high-availability.php