Preparing and starting a FlashCopy consistency group using the CLI

You can use the command-line interface (CLI) to prepare and start a FlashCopy consistency group to start the FlashCopy process.

Successful completion of the FlashCopy process creates a point-in-time copy of the data on the source virtual disk or VDisk (volume) and writes it to the target volume for each mapping in the group. When several mappings are assigned to a FlashCopy consistency group, only a single prepare command is issued to prepare every FlashCopy mapping in the group; only a single start command is issued to start every FlashCopy mapping in the group.

To prepare and start a FlashCopy consistency group, complete the following steps.

Issue the prestartfcconsistgrp CLI command to prepare the FlashCopy consistency group. This command must be issued before the copy process can begin.
Remember: A single prepare command prepares all of the mappings simultaneously for the entire group.
An example of the CLI command issued to prepare the FlashCopy consistency group:
```
prestartfcconsistgrp -restore maintobkpfcopy
```
Where maintobkpfcopy is the name of the FlashCopy consistency group.

The optional restore parameter forces the consistency group to be prepared—even if the target volume is being used as a source volume in another active mapping. An active mapping is in the copying, suspended, or stopping state.
The group enters the preparing state, and then moves to the prepared state when it is ready.
Issue the lsfcconsistgrp command to check the status of the FlashCopy consistency group.
An example of the CLI command issued to check the status of the FlashCopy consistency group.
```
lsfcconsistgrp -delim :
```
An example of the output displayed:
```
id:name:status
1:maintobkpfcopy:prepared
```
Issue the startfcconsistgrp CLI command to start the FlashCopy consistency group to make the copy.
Remember: A single start command starts all the mappings simultaneously for the entire group.
An example of the CLI command issued to start the FlashCopy consistency group mappings:
```
startfcconsistgrp -prep -restore maintobkpfcopy
```
Where maintobkpfcopy is the name of the FlashCopy consistency group.

Include the prep parameter, and the system automatically issues the prestartfcconsistgrp command for the specified group.
Note: Combining the restore parameter with the prep parameter, force-starts the consistency group. This occurs even if the target volume is being used as a source volume in another active mapping. An active mapping is in the copying, suspended, or stopping state.
The FlashCopy consistency group enters the copying state and returns to the idle_copied state when complete.
Issue the lsfcconsistgrp command to check the status of the FlashCopy consistency group.
An example of the CLI command issued to check the status of the FlashCopy consistency group:
```
lsfcconsistgrp -delim : maintobkpfcopy
```
Where maintobkpfcopy is the name of the FlashCopy consistency group.

An example of the output displayed during the copying process:
```
id:name:status
1:maintobkpfcopy:copying
```
An example of the output displayed when the process copying is complete:
```
id:1
name:maintobkpfcopy
status:idle_copied
autodelete:off
FC_mapping_id:0
FC_mapping_name:main1copy
FC_mapping_id:1
FC_mapping_name:main2copy
```