Cost Analysis - Example

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Using Cost Analysis

In this example, the cost of storing and protecting the data of a department is to be calculated. The department has a File System Server which stores data on RAID. This data is protected using SDLT and magnetic media, and Quick Recovery scratch volume pools. A QSM Console manages the primary storage, and a CommCell Console manages the secondary storage. The QSMCell and the CommCell are both registered with the CommNet Server.

In order for the program to calculate the total cost of storing and protecting the data of this department, the following steps must be completed:

1. Estimate the cost per megabyte on each primary and secondary storage entity. In this example, the following is estimated:

   Primary storage:

   • RAID = .30

   Secondary storage:

   • SDLT = .20

   • Magnetic = .15

   • QR Scratch Volumes = .10

2. Define cost categories for each primary and secondary storage entity in the CommNet Browser. Follow the procedure Add a Cost Category.

3. Define a billing entity for the department in the CommNet Browser. Follow the procedure Add a Billable Entity.

4. For secondary storage costing, from a CommCell Console:

   • Associate the billing entity to the CommCell object which represents the data of the department that is being protected. Follow the procedure Associate a Billable Entity to a CommCell Object.

   • View the cost categories from the appropriate media or QR scratch volume pool properties, and change it, if necessary. Follow the procedures:

     • View or Modify the Cost Category of a Drive Pool

     • View or Modify the Cost Category of a Magnetic Library

     • View or Modify the Cost Category of a QR Scratch Volume Pool

   • Run data protection operations on the CommCell objects that are being used by the department.

5. For primary storage costing, from a QSM Console:

   • Select the cost category you defined for the RAID storage entity and associate it with the RAID storage entity. Follow the procedure Assign a Cost Category to a Resource.

   • Associate the billing entity to the QSM Agent for File System. Follow the procedure Assign a Billable Entity to an Individual QSMCell Object.

6. Synchronize both Cells with the CommNet Server. Follow the procedure Synchronize Cells.

7. Run the Billing Charge Back Report. The Billing Charge Back Report gives you the total primary and secondary storage costs for the department.

NOTES

For data secured using SnapVault, there is no way to determine the actual size of the data. Hence, the Charge Back report will not charge or consider SnapVault data.

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