Mainframe Storage Consultant

Software International (SI) supplies technical talent to a variety of Fortune 100/500/1000 and other companies in Canada/US.

We are currently hiring for a Mainframe Storage Consultant for our global IT infratructure consulting client.

Location: Canada , EST - remote

Rate: $100-120/hr CAD C2C

Start Date: ASAP

Duration: 6 months initially, then multiple 6 - 12 month extensions
Job Description:

Evaluate, provision, configure, implement, maintain, analyze, diagnose, and provide day-to-day support for clients overall Storage (DASD and Tape) solution(s) including backup, restore, archive, and business continuity plans.
Job Requirements:

3 to 4 years experience with HSM, CA1, CA7, FDR PAS, TDMF, CA Vantage, Hitachi Universal Replicator / BCM, SMS, ACS, DFDSS/HSM for backups and/or FDR ABRS, IBM Global Mirror / Metro Mirror / CSM, Virtual Tape (IBM TS77xx), CR+ and catalog maintenance / optimization, Disaster Recovery / Business Continuity exercises and methods.
Education:

4 year college degree with concentration in IT / Computer Science preferred.
Job Responsibilities:

Monitor, support, maintain, and enhance associated storage, backups, and data replication for a large number of Sysplexes.

Provide support for Disaster Recovery Exercises and new data center builds as necessary. These support activities (e.g., problem resolution, 3rd party vendor communication, and change and implementation) will involve the management and analysis of all Agency mainframe DASD and tape data storage subsystems. It will include the management and analysis of all production backup and recovery jobs executed at production and all remote locations, to maintain compatibility with existing storage management infrastructures.

Analyze Production Mainframe DASD Space Availability

Analyze mainframe DASD space availability by Systems Managed Storage Complex (SMSPLEX) and by System Complex (SYSPLEX)

Analyze DASD storage connected across all Logical PARtitions (LPARs)

Analyze and determine cause of mainframe DASD space concerns

Communicate resolution to requesting area via phone and/or email

- Evaluate new technologies

- Install, configure, implement new solutions / architectures.

Provide mainframe DASD space capacity where required

Analyze and recommend required SMS modifications

Analyze required mainframe ACS code modifications

Monitor DASD and tape storage resources for performance and available space

Process required Mainframe SMS construct modifications online using TSO logon and Interactive System Management Facility (ISMF)

Test all changes using the SMS test facility prior to installation. Testing is online using Mainframe TSO logon and ISMF
Document each action taken
Deploy mainframe DASD and tape

Perform catalog optimization and maintenance.

Maintain management class constructs defining retention requirements for data sets

Maintain Hierarchical Storage Management (HSM) parameter library members assigned to control execution

Maintain free space for the three control data sets of HSM

Analyze, maintain and perform the steps to reorganize control data sets

Analyze, maintain Migration on Level 2 tapes to ensure maximum tape density

Support DF/SMShsm Aggregate Backup and Recovery System (ABARS) on the wireline systems

Support for upgrading Systems Managed Storage (SMS), Hierarchical Storage Manager (HSM) and of Device Facility Product (DFP)

Support IBM Mainframe storage management disciplines utilizing DF/SMS ACS routines

Review Mainframe DASD/tape space availability by SMSPLEX and by SYSPLEX

Review mainframe DASD/tape storage thresholds to determine adequate space availability

Analyze and determine cause of DASD/tape space concerns

Communicate resolution to appropriate area

Analysis of Mainframe DASD and tape storage usage availability

Determine application and people to contact for DASD/tape space concerns
Provide resolution for space shortages

Respond to AYS (Service Now) requests as necessary to support client needs.

Provide DASD/tape storage space available to correct DASD/tape space shortage

Enhance software to reduce operation time, add functionality, or improve efficiency

Work independently or under only general direction
Analyze mainframe SMS constructs
Analyze mainframe SMS ACS logic

Prior to introducing any storage change into production, use the SMS test facility located on the Storage Laboratory for testing changes

Review and respond if necessary, to daily, weekly, and monthly automated health checks.

Analyze and determine cause of DASD backup and data replication failures

Communicate resolution to appropriate area if applicable.

Work with application and Business Continuity organizations to ensure backup and/or recovery solutions are complete and maintained.

Provide resolution for backup and/or recovery infrastructure shortages

Document, report and address in ticketing system, the status of tape storage availability issues

Enhance DASD/tape hardware configurations to reduce operation time, add functionality, or improve efficiency of use

Make additions or deletions to DASD/tape storage infrastructures as required

Review mainframe DASD/tape performance with 3rd party vendor personnel verbally and in writing

Originally posted on Himalayas