System for currently updating database by one host and reading the database by different host for the purpose of implementing decision support functions

A method of implementing decision support in an environment including a data storage system and a plurality of host processors at least some of which are connected to the data storage system, wherein said data storage system stores a working database, said method comprising:

• through a selected one of said plurality of host processors, updating said working database on an ongoing basis;
• while said working database is being updated on an ongoing basis, mirroring said working database to generate a mirror copy of said working database;
• using the mirror copy of the database to generate a support copy of the database;
• and
• through a different one of said plurality of host processors, using said support copy for the purpose of implementing decision support functions.

A method of implementing decision support in an environment including a data storage system and a plurality of host processors at least some of which are connected to the data storage system, wherein said data storage system stores a working database, said method comprising:

• through a selected one of said plurality of host processors, updating said working database on an ongoing basis;
• initiating a process of copying said working database at time t.sub.0 generate a concurrent copy thereof, said concurrent copy representing the value of the data within said working database at time t.sub.0, wherein said updating and said process of copying take place concurrently;
• using the concurrent copy of the database to generate a support copy of the database;
• and
• through a different one of said plurality of host processors, using said support copy for the purpose of implementing decision support functions.