IBM Spectrum Protect

IBM® Spectrum Protect™, formerly IBM Tivoli® Storage Manager, is a data protection platform that gives enterprises a single point of control and administration for backup and recovery operations.

It enables reliable, cost effective backups and fast recovery for virtual, physical, and cloud environments of all sizes.

Spend less on data protection and more on innovation

• By switching to IBM Spectrum Protect, you can reduce backup infrastructure costs by up to 53 percent, based on IBM assessments using Butterfly software.
• Incremental “forever” backup operations in conjunction with data deduplication can reduce backup storage requirements up to 95 percent for virtual and physical environments.

Manage and protect data with confidence

• Control virtual, physical, and cloud backup data from a single point, with greater visualization and administrator productivity.
• Monitor system status at a glance by using the IBM Spectrum Protect Operations Center dashboard.
• Take advantage of cloud integration to store data by using one of the following cloud service providers and protocols: Amazon Web Services with Simple Storage Service, IBM Cloud Object Storage with Swift or S3, Microsoft Azure, and OpenStack with Swift using Keystone Version 1 or Version 2.
• VMware administrators can manage backup and restore operations by using familiar user interfaces. There is no need to interact directly with backup servers.
• Convert file and virtual tape library (VTL)-type deduplicated storage pools to IBM Spectrum Protect directory-container storage pools. This automated conversion function enables organizations to take advantage of the space, management, and database improvements in the new storage pools.
• Take advantage of server-side data compression, which adds capacity to IBM Spectrum Protect container pools without adding more storage.

Deploy flexible solutions in any size organization

• IBM Spectrum Protect is highly scalable; a single backup server can protect billions of objects and can ingest, deduplicate, and replicate up to 100 TB per day of new or changed client data.
• Specially priced and packaged entry versions are available for small and mid-sized organizations. These versions are full featured and offer a choice of capacity and component-based license plans.
• Learn more about how to spend less time and money on backups with IBM Spectrum Protect. See the following report, which was published by the Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) lab: ESG Lab Review: IBM Data Protection for Virtual Environments.

New features and other changes are available in the IBM Spectrum Protect™ Version 8.1.6 server:

• Take advantage of new options for tiering data to the cloud. IBM Spectrum Protect Version 8.1.6 introduces new options for moving data from disk storage to cloud storage for long-term retention. Cloud storage can be a cost-effective alternative for data that is accessed infrequently. The process of moving data to cloud storage is known as cloud tiering.
• New options for automatically moving data to the cloud by using the IBM Spectrum Protect™ Operations. You can now exercise greater control when you specify rules for automatically tiering data to cloud storage. Previously, you could tier all data that met an age threshold. Now, you can also choose to tier only inactive data that meets an age threshold. You can also create exceptions to a rule by defining subrules. By defining one or more subrules, you can exercise granular control to keep some data in disk storage for faster retrieval, while tiering other data to the cloud for long-term retention.

For more information about product updates and new features, see What’s new.

Tip: Significant security enhancements were introduced in recent releases of IBM Spectrum Protect. For the latest information about security enhancements, see What you need to know before you install or upgrade the product.

New features and other changes are available in the IBM Spectrum Protect™ Version 8.1.6 backup-archive client:

• NAS back up and restore capabilities. You can now back up and restore NAS file systems by using the backup-archive client GUI.
• New option to flexibly configure restore operations across multiple VMs using a CSV file. The csv option enables an IBM Spectrum Protect client to use a comma-separated values (csv) file to define and apply different restore settings across a series of virtual machine restore operations.
• New option to configure transport compression. Data Protection for VMware now supports the new NBD (Network block device) protocol with SSL (NBDSSL), which has been added to VMware vSphere as a transport method. This LAN transport is the default when other transport mechanisms are not available, and can reduce the time it takes to transmit a large virtual disk through compression.

For more information about product updates and new features, see What’s new.

New features and other changes are available in the IBM Spectrum Protect™ for Virtual Environments: Data Protection for VMware Version 8.1.6:

• Take advantage of the streamlined installation procedure. The installation of Data Protection for VMware is integrated into a single, simplified installation process with the suite installer. You can use the full install to install the entire product with default options, or use the advanced installation option to install a data mover (mount proxy), recovery agent, and required support packages on a system. You can still use the manual approach to installation if you require a custom environment.
• New wizard to add remote Data Movers using the vSphere plug in GUI. If you offload backup workloads to a vStorage backup server in a vSphere environment, you can use the Data Mover wizard to set up a series of data mover nodes to run the operation and move the data to the IBM Spectrum Protect server. The new wizard for the configuration of a remote data mover eliminates a number of manual steps and suggests suitable defaults for a number of settings.
• New option to flexibly configure restore operations across multiple VMs using a CSV file. The csv option enables an IBM Spectrum Protect client to use a comma-separated values (csv) file to define and apply different restore settings across a series of virtual machine restore operations.
• New option to configure transport compression. Data Protection for VMware now supports the new NBDSSL (Network block device SSL) protocol compression options, which have been added to VMware vSphere. This LAN transport is the default when other transport mechanisms are not available, and the compression option can reduce the time that it takes to transmit a large virtual disk through compression.
• Support for virtual machine encryption. Data Protection for VMware supports vSphere 6.5 virtual machine encryption. When restoring virtual machines to an encrypted state, encrypted VM Backup is restored as a non-encrypted VM. You must manually encrypt the VM after ensuring the datastore is compatible with the Encryption Policy in force where the VM is restored.
• Assign individual VMs to backup schedules. In addition to scheduling for higher level containers, you can assign individual VMs to a specific schedule. This requires the Edit vSphere Tag Category and the Edit vSphere Tag privilege. You must set privileges at the vCenter Server root level to have this tagging privilege.
• Datacenters have an auto-generated tagged schedule. Every datacenter configured in the configuration wizard now has an automatically created tagged schedule associated with it in the vSphere plug-in. This daily schedule can be modified within the plug-in to be associated with a different tagged data mover. Other schedule attributes can be configured from the command line or Operation Center.
• The recovery agent device driver is stabilized at Data Protection for VMware V8.1.4. Starting in Data Protection for VMware V8.1.6, you can no longer install the recovery agent device driver. Therefore, you can no longer use the Windows mount command or Disk Management utility to directly mount a snapshot to view it locally with read-only access on the client system. Instead, use the recovery agent GUI to perform iSCSI mounts.

For more information about product updates and new features, see What’s new.

New features and other changes are available in the IBM Spectrum Protect™ for Virtual Environments: Data Protection for Microsoft Hyper-V Version 8.1.6:

• Protect in-guest applications. Use Data Protection for Microsoft Hyper-V to protect Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft SQL Server that run inside Hyper-V VM guests in a Microsoft Hyper-V environment. You can make application-consistent backups of the VMs that host Microsoft Exchange Server or Microsoft SQL Server data. You can then restore selected application backups from the VMs.
• Verify the configuration of Data Protection for Microsoft Hyper-V by using the Data Protection for Microsoft Hyper-V Management Console or a PowerShell cmdlet. To help you resolve configuration issues, you can use the Data Protection for Microsoft Hyper-V Management Console or the Test-DpHvConfiguration PowerShell cmdlet to verify a Data Protection for Microsoft Hyper-V configuration.
• Configure an environment in which multiple tenants host virtual machines on the same server. When you use the configuration wizard to configure Data Protection for Microsoft Hyper-V, a default naming convention is used for the nodes that are created automatically. However, if you want to support a storage environment in which multiple tenants host their virtual machines (VMs) on the same server, you must add a prefix, a suffix, or both to the default node names.
• Back up VM disks that are up to 8 TB in size. You can now back up VM disks (VHDX) that are up to 8 TB in size. Use the vmmaxvirtualdisks option to specify the maximum size of VHDX disks to include in backup operations. Use the vmskipmaxvirtualdisks option to specify whether to skip backing up VMs that exceed the maximum VHDX size or to fail the backup operation.
• Exclude VM disks from or include VM disks in backup operations on Windows Server 2012. For Hyper-V hosts on Windows Server 2012 operating systems, you can now select VM disks (VHDX) for backup operations. This feature was previously available only on Windows Server 2016.
• Take advantage of upgrade flexibility in a cluster environment. In environments with multiple clusters and hosts, you can upgrade Data Protection for Microsoft Hyper-V on a staggered schedule. When you install a newer product version on one cluster or host, earlier versions of the Data Protection for Microsoft Hyper-V Management Console and PowerShell cmdlets can connect to the newer version. This feature gives you more time to upgrade your environment.
• Accept certificates for improved security. To help ensure that your environment is secure, you are prompted to accept security certificates when you connect to new Hyper-V hosts.
• Additional installation options are available. In a typical installation, all components of Data Protection for Microsoft Hyper-V are included. However, you can use advanced installation options to install only the Data Protection for Microsoft Hyper-V Management Console or only the data mover.

For more information about product updates and new features, see What’s new.

New features and other changes are available in IBM Spectrum Protect Plus V10.1.2:

• Back up and restore Db2 databases. This feature extends IBM Spectrum Protect Plus application support to include IBM Db2 environments. With IBM Spectrum Protect Plus Version 10.1.2, you can back up Db2 databases and logs. Restore options include instant access to support rapid verification and testing, test restore operations to support development and testing (dev/test) and DevOps, and full restore-to-production operations including point-in-time recovery. Granular restore operations for individual databases are also supported.
• Enable vSnap encryption. This feature enhances the security of your backup data. Both on-board and external vSnap servers can now be initialized with encryption enabled.
• Update your VADP proxy servers automatically. This feature helps to ensure that your external VMware vStorage APIs for Data Protection (VADP) proxies are always up-to-date without user interaction. VADP proxy updates are applied as soon as they become available.
• Reduce system load and optimize throughput. Throttling optimizes the use of multiple VADP proxies to maximize data throughput. For each virtual machine being backed up, IBM Spectrum Protect Plus determines which VADP proxy is the least active and has the most available memory and free capacity.
• Save space in Oracle environments by truncating logs. A new option is available to truncate Oracle source logs after a backup operation is successfully completed. The Truncate source logs after successful backup option automatically deletes archived logs that are no longer needed after each successful database backup.
• Control throughput for application database backups. Server performance might be affected when many databases are backed up concurrently. The Maximum concurrent databases option controls the impact on Oracle and SQL servers and reduces the impact on production operations.
• Run scripts from an application server or dedicated script server. Enable scripts to extend the operations of IBM Spectrum Protect Plus. Pre-scripts and post-scripts associated with application backup and restore jobs can now be run from an application server or dedicated script server.
• Monitor the status of your IBM Spectrum Protect Plus environment. A redesigned dashboard offers greater insight into the general state of your IBM Spectrum Protect Plus environment. The Job Status section displays a summary of job activities over a selected time period through a wide-ranging scatter plot. The Capacity Summary section displays the usage and availability of your vSnap storage.
• Receive information about runtime errors in real time. An alert list in the IBM Spectrum Protect Plus user interface displays errors and warnings, helping to quickly identify and resolve issues. Each item in the alert list includes a status icon, a summary of the issue, and a link to associated logs.
• Plan backup strategies efficiently. A new Policy Overview pane displays data about the protection of your overall environment so that you can plan backup strategies with greater efficiency.
• Enhance your user experience. The IBM Spectrum Protect Plus user interface is updated to improve consistency and usability.

For more information about product updates and new features, see What’s new.

New features and other changes are available in the IBM Spectrum Protect™ Snapshot for Windows Version 8.1.6:

For information, see Updates for V8.1.6.

New features and other changes are available in the IBM Spectrum Protect™ Version 8.1.6 backup-archive clientfor Mail: Data Protection for Microsoft Exchange Server Version 8.1.6:

For information, see Updates for V8.1.6.

New features and other changes are available in the IBM Spectrum Protect™ for Databases: Data Protection for Microsoft SQL Server Version 8.1.6:

For information, see Updates for V8.1.6.

Media Gallery

Documentation

IBM Knowledge Center

• V8.1.0 IBM Knowledge Center

Blueprints

• IBM Spectrum Protect Blueprints

Technotes

• Tivoli Storage Manager Supported Operating Systems
• IBM Tivoli Storage Manager Supported Devices for Linux
• IBM Tivoli Storage Manager Supported Devices for AIX, HP-UX, Solaris, and Windows
• Latest IBM Spectrum Protect Server and Client Downloads – Fix Packs and Interim Fixes
• IBM Spectrum Protect Server-Client Compatibility and Upgrade Considerations

White papers

• Best practices for recovering Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8
• Best practices for recovering Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 7, and Windows Vista
• ESG Lab Review: IBM Data Protection for Virtual Environments

Redbooks

• IBM Tivoli Storage Manager as a Data Protection Solution
• Tivoli Storage Manager for Virtual Environments: Data Protection for VMware Solution Design Considerations

IBM Spectrum Protect Customer Feedback Programs

IBM is looking for customers and business partners to provide feedback on IBM Spectrum Protect offerings in order to influence future enhancements and improve the product experience. IBM is trying to better meet the needs of its customers through our early interaction programs. We have three program offerings:

• Beta program: Participants will be given access to pre-released code and asked to provide focused input related to the time-to-value and overall user experience.
• Early Access Program (EAP): Participants are invited to quarterly sessions to provide feedback on potential future designs.
• Sponsor User program: Selected participants will be chosen to work closely with the design and development teams to improve new enhancements.

If you are interested in a more direct interaction with the Spectrum Protect development, consider registering for one of these programs:

• To request enrollment in the beta program, submit the IBM Spectrum Protect Beta sign-up form
• To request enrollment in the EAP program, submit the IBM Spectrum Protect EAP sign-up form

Sponsor users are selected from the beta and EAP programs.

Note: Because new features and functionality are unannounced, the material presented throughout these programs will be classified IBM Confidential and participants will be required to accept a standard legal agreement that has been approved for use within IBM Software Group at IBM before acceptance into the beta and/or EAP programs.