text: **11.1 IBM FlashCopy**
  
  Through the IBM FlashCopy function of IBM Spectrum Virtualize, you can perform a 
  *point-in-time copy*of one or more volumes. This section describes the inner workings of 
  FlashCopy and provides details about its configuration and use. 
  
  You can use FlashCopy to help you solve critical and challenging business needs that require 
  duplication of data of your source volume. Volumes can remain online and active while you 
  create consistent copies of the data sets. Because the copy is performed at the block level, it 
  operates below the host operating system and its cache. Therefore, the copy is not apparent 
  to the host unless it is mapped. 
  
  While the FlashCopy operation is performed, the source volume is frozen briefly to initialize 
  the FlashCopy bitmap after which I/O can resume. Although several FlashCopy options 
  require the data to be copied from the source to the target in the background, which can take 
  time to complete, the resulting data on the target volume is presented so that the copy 
  appears to complete immediately. This feature means that the copy can immediately be 
  mapped to a host and is directly accessible for Read*and*Write operations. 
  
  **11.1.1 Business requirements for FlashCopy**
  
  When you are deciding whether FlashCopy addresses your needs, you must adopt a 
  combined business and technical view of the problems that you want to solve. First, 
  determine the needs from a business perspective. Then, determine whether FlashCopy can 
  address the technical needs of those business requirements. 