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AIX® Server Requirements and Support

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Problem

IBM Spectrum Protect for AIX® Server Requirements and Support

Resolving The Problem

Minimum Hardware and Software Requirements


Tip: The product now known as IBM Spectrum Protect™ was named IBM Tivoli® Storage Manager in releases earlier than Version 7.1.3. To learn more about the rebranding transition, see http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21963634.

Note: This document describes system requirements for IBM Spectrum Protect 8.1.12 and earlier.  Links to system requirements for more recent IBM Spectrum Protect server levels can be found here.

Versions that have reached End of Support:

  • IBM Spectrum Protect 7.1
  • Tivoli Storage Manager 6.3
  • Tivoli Storage Manager 6.2
  • Tivoli Storage Manager 6.1
  • Tivoli Storage Manager 5.5
IBM Spectrum Protect Version 8.1
Minimum Hardware Requirements
Hardware
For disk-only IBM Spectrum Protect environments, any appropriately provisioned and configured hardware on which you can run an operating system that is supported for this product and release. For environments using other devices such as tape, please contact your device vendor for support requirements.
For IBM Spectrum Protect version 8.1.0 through 8.1.10, a POWER6 or later processor is required. For 
IBM Spectrum Protect version 8.1.11, a POWER7 or later processor is required. 
Beginning with IBM Spectrum Protect version 8.1.12, a POWER8 or later processor is required.
Disk Space
 The following minimum values for disk space:
  • 512 MB for the /var directory
    • 5 GB for the installation directory
  • 2 GB for the /tmp directory
  • 128 MB in the root home directory
For versions 8.1.2 and later, the minimum values are:
  • 7.5 GB for the installation directory
  • 4 GB for the /tmp directory
  • 2.5 GB for the /var directory

Tip: Expect to use more space for problem determination.
  • 2 GB for the shared resources area

Significant additional disk space is required for database and log files. The size of the database depends on the number of client files to be stored and the method by which the server manages them. The default active log space is 16 GB, the minimum that is needed for most workloads and configurations. When you create the active log, you need at least 64 GB in size to run replication. If replication and data deduplication are both being used, create an active log of 128 GB in size. Allocate at least three times the default active log space for the archive log (48 GB). Ensure that you have sufficient resources if you are using data deduplication or expect a heavy client workload.


You must format the disk device to have a disk sector size of 512 bytes.

For optimal performance and to facilitate I/O, specify at least two equally sized containers or Logical Unit Numbers (LUNs) for the database. In addition, each active log and archive log should have its own container or LUN.

Ensure that you see the capacity planning section for more details about disk space.
Memory
The following are the minimum system memory requirements for servers with databases up to 500 GB,
with daily ingestion of no more than 200 GB per day:
  • 16 GB for standard server operations without data deduplication and node replication.
  • 24 GB for data deduplication or node replication.
  • 32 GB if you plan to use node replication with data deduplication.

For more specific memory requirements for larger databases and higher ingestion capability, see the

For more specific memory requirements see the IBM Spectrum Protect Blueprint.
IBM Spectrum Protect Version 8.1
Minimum Software Requirements
Operating System
AIX 7.1
  • AIX 7.1 TL5 SP5, starting with 8.1.11.000
  • Starting with 8.1.11.000, Minimum C++ runtime level with the xlC.rte 13.1 or later file sets. The file set is automatically upgraded if the level is earlier than 13.1. The file set is included in the March 2016 fix pack package for IBM® C++ Runtime Environment Components for AIX.
  • AIX 7.1 TL 4
  • Minimum C++ runtime level with the xlC.rte 12.1.0.1 or later file sets. The file set is automatically upgraded if the level is earlier than 12.1.0.1. The file set is included in the June 2008 fix pack package for IBM® C++ Runtime Environment Components for AIX.

AIX 7.2
  • AIX 7.2 TL 3 and SP3
  • Starting with 8.1.11.000, Minimum C++ runtime level with the xlC.rte 13.1.3.1 or later file sets. The file set is automatically upgraded if the level is earlier than 13.1.3.1.
  • AIX 7.2 TL 2
  • Minimum C++ runtime level with the xlC.rte 13.1.3.1 or later file sets. The file set is automatically upgraded if the level is earlier than 13.1.3.1.
For the latest recommendations about AIX maintenance levels, see technote 1165448

To use the N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV) facility, ensure that you have the following minimum requirements:

  • Virtual I/O Server 2.1.2 or later
  • AIX 7.1 or later
  • An HBA adapter supported by the corresponding AIX and Virtual I/O Server
A configured communication method.
Processing
 Asynchronous I/O must be enabled.
Device Drivers
 The IBM Spectrum Protect device driver is required for non-IBM drives and tape libraries. The IBM Spectrum Protect device driver package contains device driver tools and ACSLS daemons.

For the IBM 3590, 3592, or the Ultrium tape library or drives, the IBM device drivers are required. Install the most current device drivers. You can locate IBM driver packages at Fix Central.

Configure the device drivers before you use the server with tape devices.
Other
 gunzip utility
The gunzip utility must be available on your system before you install or upgrade the server. Ensure that the gunzip utility is installed and the path to it is set in the PATH environment variable.

Korn Shell (ksh)
You must have the I/O completion ports (IOCP) configured on the operating system.

LDAP
To authenticate IBM Spectrum Protect users with a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) server, you must use one of the following directory servers:
  • Microsoft Active Directory (Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2012)
  • IBM Security Directory Server V6.3
  • IBM Security Directory Server V6.4

Version 7.1 has reached End of Support (EOS)
IBM Spectrum Protect Version 7.1
Minimum Hardware and Software Requirements
Hardware
 For disk-only IBM Spectrum Protect environments, any appropriately provisioned and configured hardware on which you can run an operating system that is supported for this product and release. For environments using other devices such as tape, please contact your device vendor for support requirements.
Disk Space
 The following minimum values for disk space:
  • 512 MB for the /var directory
    • 5 GB for the installation directory
  • 2 GB for the /tmp directory
  • 128 MB in the root home directory

Tip: Expect to use more space for problem determination.
  • 2 GB for the shared resources area

Significant additional disk space is required for database and log files. The size of the database depends on the number of client files to be stored and the method by which the server manages them. The default active log space is 16 GB, the minimum that is needed for most workloads and configurations. Allocate at least three times the active log space for the archive log (48 GB). Ensure that you have sufficient resources if you are using data deduplication or expect a heavy client workload.

You must format the disk device to have a disk sector size of 512 bytes.

For optimal performance and to facilitate I/O, specify at least two equally sized containers or Logical Unit Numbers (LUNs) for the database. See Optimizing Performance for more information about the configuration of directories for the database. In addition, each active log and archive log should have its own container or LUN.

Ensure that you see the capacity planning section for more details about disk space.
Memory
 The following minimum values for memory:
  • 12 GB.
  • 16 GB if you are using data deduplication.
  • At least 40 GB for heavily used servers. Using 40 GB or more of memory enhances performance of the Spectrum Protect server database inventory.
  • If you plan to run multiple instances, each instance requires the memory listed for one server. Multiply the memory for one server by the number of instances planned for the system.
  • Node replication processing requires additional memory. Use a minimum of 32 GB of memory for node replication without data deduplication. Node replication with data deduplication requires a minimum of 64 GB of memory.
  • When you create the active log, you need at least 64 GB in size to run replication. If replication and deduplication are both being used, create an active log of 128 GB in size.
Operating System
 AIX 6.1 running in a 64-bit kernel environment with the following additional requirements:
*This is the minimum TL and Service pack level supported by the TSM server. Any TL and SP levels equal or higher than what is listed here is supported
  • AIX 6.1 TL 7 and SP6.
  • Minimum C++ runtime level with the xlC.rte 12.1.0.1 or later file sets. The file set is automatically upgraded if the level is lower than 12.1.0.1. The file set is included in the June 2008 fix pack package for IBM® C++ Runtime Environment Components for AIX.
AIX 7.1 running in a 64-bit kernel environment.
  • AIX 7.1 TL 1 and SP6.
  • Minimum C++ runtime level with the xlC.rte 12.1.0.1 or later file sets. The file set is automatically upgraded if the level is lower than 12.1.0.1. The file set is included in the June 2008 fix pack package for IBM C++ Runtime Environment Components for AIX.
AIX 7.2 running in a 64-bit kernel environment.
  • AIX 7.2 TL 0 and SP0.
  • Minimum C++ runtime level with the xlC.rte 13.1.3.1 or later file sets. The file set is automatically upgraded if the level is earlier than 13.1.3.1.

For the latest recommendations about AIX maintenance levels, see http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21165448
--------------------------------

To use the N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV) facility, the minimum requirements are:
  • Virtual I/O Server 2.1.2 or newer
  • AIX 7.1, AIX 6.1 TL4 SP 3 or newer
  • An HBA adapter supported by the corresponding AIX and Virtual I/O Server
Communication Protocol
 A configured communication method.
Processing
 Asynchronous I/O must be enabled.
Device Drivers
 The Spectrum Protect device driver required for non-IBM drives and tape libraries. The Spectrum Protect device driver package contains device driver tools and ACSLS daemons.

For the IBM 3590, 3592, or the Ultrium tape library or drives, the IBM device drivers are required. Install the most current device drivers. You can locate IBM driver packages at the Fix Central website: http://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/.

Configure the device drivers before you use the Spectrum Protect Server with tape devices.
Other
 gunzip utility
The gunzip utility must be available on your system before you install or upgrade the Spectrum Protect Version 7 Server. Ensure that the gunzip utility is installed and the path to it is set in the PATH environment variable.

Korn Shell (ksh)

IOCP
You must have the I/O completion ports (IOCP) configured on the operating system.

LDAP
To authenticate IBM Spectrum Protect users with a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) server, you must use one of the following directory servers:
  • Microsoft Active Directory (Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2012)
  • IBM Security Directory Server V6.3
  • IBM Security Directory Server V6.4

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Document Information

Modified date:
19 May 2022

UID

swg21052220

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