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Hardware and Software Requirements: Data Protection for VMware Version 7.1.4

Preventive Service Planning


Abstract

This document details the Hardware and Software requirements for IBM Spectrum Protect™ for Virtual Environments: Data Protection for VMware 7.1.4.

Content

Tip: Beginning with Version 7.1.3, IBM Tivoli Storage Manager for Virtual Environments is now IBM Spectrum Protect™ for Virtual Environments. Some applications such as the software fulfillment systems and IBM License Metric Tool use the new product name. However, the software and its product documentation continue to use the Tivoli Storage Manager for Virtual Environments product name. To learn more about the rebranding transition, see http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21963634.

The Data Protection for VMware requirements vary by high level functional component. Data Protection for VMware has the following high level functional components:

  • Data Protection for VMware GUI
  • Data Mover
  • Recovery Agent
  • Mount proxy

Note:
  • All Data Protection for VMware functional components must be at the same Fix Pack level. Within a given Fix Pack level, the interim fix level can differ.

    Examples:
    • When upgrading the Data Protection for VMware GUI from 7.1.0.x, 7.1.1.x, 7.1.2.x or 7.1.3.x to 7.1.4, all other functional components (Data Movers, recovery agents and mount proxy's) must be also upgraded to 7.1.4.
    • When upgrading a Data Mover from 7.1.3.x to 7.1.3.y (where x<y), it is not required that all other functional components be upgraded to 7.1.3.y (but they all must be at the same fix pack level).
  • The Data Mover and Mount Proxy functional components are enabled by the installation of the IBM Spectrum Protect Backup-Archive Client. Though the Data Mover and the Mount Proxy are enabled by the same software, each functional component has its own, separate hardware and software requirements.
  • Though the IBM Spectrum Protect Backup-Archive Client supports a wide variety of operating systems, only a subset of those operating systems are supported with IBM Spectrum Protect for Virtual Environments.
  • The 7.1.4 level of the IBM Spectrum Protect Backup-Archive client, and later Interim fixes of this level, is required with Data Protection for VMware 7.1.4. The IBM Spectrum Protect Backup-Archive Client 7.1.4 is a separate prerequisite and is included as a convenience in the Data Protection for VMware 7.1.4 installation package

    For Windows, the default Data Protection for VMware installation program automatically installs the IBM Spectrum Protect Backup-Archive Client. The IBM Spectrum Protect Backup-Archive Client may also be downloaded independently - see below for details on additional software requirements and limitations.

Warning:
The IBM Spectrum Protect Client API 7.1.4 is also a prerequisite of Data Protection for VMware 7.1.4 and on Windows it is automatically installed as a part of the default Data Protection for VMware 7.1.4 installation process. The IBM Spectrum Protect Backup-Archive Client and IBM Spectrum Protect Client API levels must remain in sync in your complete environment. Therefore, future updates to either the IBM Spectrum Protect Backup-Archive Client or the IBM Spectrum Protect Client API require the other component to be updated at the same time. I.e. if you install a new Fix Pack level of the IBM Spectrum Protect Backup-Archive client, you need to upgrade the IBM Spectrum Protect Client API to the exact same Fix Pack level on your Data Protection for VMware systems and vice versa. See also the appropriate upgrading task in IBM Knowledge Center: "Upgrading Data Protection for VMware 7.1.4"


This document is divided into linked sections for ease of navigation. You may use the links below to jump to the desired section of the document.

Supported VMware vSphere versions

Supported VMware vCloud Director versions

Data Protection for VMware GUI supported operating systems
Data Mover supported operating systems
Recovery Agent supported operating systems
Mount proxy supported operating systems
Additional software requirements supports and limitations

Compatibility and Upgrade Considerations



Hardware requirements for Data Protection for VMware

Where to download IBM Spectrum Protect for Virtual Environments 7.1.4

Hardware and Software requirements for other releases of Data Protection for VMware

Supported VMware vSphere versions

The following VMware vSphere versions are supported:
  • vSphere 5.1
  • vSphere 5.5
  • vSphere 6.0
Attention: ESXi 5.1 hosts must be at Update 3 or newer patch or update level. ESXi 5.5 hosts must be at Patch 4 or newer patch or update level. These prerequisite levels address a critical VMware Changed Block Tracking (CBT) integrity issue described in VMware KB 2090639.

Note:
  1. The Data Protection for VMware GUI "IBM Data Protection" extension requires vSphere Web Client version 5.5 update 1 (or later). Update 1 is included in the vSphere 5.5 package.
  2. To view supported vSphere and ESXi host versions, please refer to the following tech note: "Tivoli Storage Manager for Virtual Environments: Data Protection for VMware Data Mover compatibility guide with VMware's Virtual Disk Development Kit"http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21672351

Supported VMware vCloud Director versions

The following VMware vCloud Director versions are supported:
  • vCloud Director 5.1
  • vCloud Director 5.5


Data Protection for VMware GUI supported operating systems

This functional component integrates the product with the VMware vSphere client in order to back up, restore, and manage virtual machines in the VMware vCenter and includes the Data Protection for VMware command-line interface.

Note:
  • To enable file restore capability, Data Protection for VMware must be installed on a Windows system.
  • To enable file restore for a Linux virtual machine, in addition to installing Data Protection for VMware on a Windows system, a Linux mount proxy system must also be configured.

Attention: Connection to the vCenter Server is required to install the Data Protection for VMware vSphere GUI. If your vCenter Server uses an RSA key with an encryption length greater than 2048 bits, then before installing the Data Protection for VMware vSphere GUI, you must download and install the unrestricted JCE policy files. The instructions are in technote: Installing the Data Protection for VMware GUI: Download unrestricted SDK JCE files. You do not need to install these files if your RSA key encryption length is 2048 bits or less.

The supported operating systems by platform are detailed below.

Linux x86_64

The following operating systems are supported for the Data Protection for VMware GUI on the Linux x86_64 platform:
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5.6 and later maintenance levels and mod levels: Desktop, Advanced Platform and Server Editions
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6, and later maintenance levels and mod levels: Server Edition
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7, and later maintenance levels and mod levels: Server Edition
  • SUSE Enterprise Linux 11, and later mod levels and Fix Packs: Server Edition
  • SUSE Enterprise Linux 12 and later mod levels and Fix Packs: Server Edition

Windows x64

The following operating systems are supported for the Data Protection for VMware GUI on the Windows x64 platform:
  • Windows Server 2008, and later maintenance levels: Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter Editions
  • Windows Server 2008 R2, and later maintenance levels: Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter Editions
  • Windows Server 2012 and later maintenance levels: Essentials, Standard, and Datacenter Editions
  • Windows Server 2012 R2 and later maintenance levels: Essentials, Standard, and Datacenter Editions


    • Note: Data Protection for VMware GUI provides support for Windows Storage Server 2012 for functionality that is also available and supported by the Data Protection for VMware GUI on the Windows Server 2012 Editions.


Data Mover supported operating systems

The Data Mover is installed on the vStorage Backup Server and enables:
  • off-host block level incremental backups
  • application protection for VM guests

The Data Mover function for off-host block level incremental backups is enabled by the installation of the IBM Spectrum Protect Backup-Archive Client 7.1.4, and later maintenance levels.

The VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK) version 6.0.1 runtime files are used for backing up virtual machines by the Data Mover. Data Mover / IBM Spectrum Protect Backup-Archive Client with Data Protection for VMware supports the operating systems listed below, as long as they are also supported by VDDK version 6.0.1. For updates on supported OSes, known issues and limitations regarding VDDK 6.0.1 see the VMware web site.

Attention: VDDK 6.0.1 limitation using SAN, as currently documented in the VMware VDDK 6.0.1 release notes: https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/vddk-601-releasenotes.html
"Backup and restore using SAN transport fails with VDDK 6.0.1 for VMs residing on ESXi 5.5 or earlier. When VDDK 6.0.1 connects to an ESXi 5.5.x host using SAN transport, and tries to retrieve the virtual machine MoRef from the snapshot managed object, the operation fails with the vmodl.fault.InvalidRequest error. This backward compatibility failure is due to changes in the getVM method between vSphere 5.5, 6.0, and 6.0.1. The workaround is to use non-SAN transport when connecting to ESXi 5.5 and earlier hosts. A fix has been identified and will appear in VDDK 6.0.2." See IBM APAR IT12942.

The Data Protection for VMware Data Mover utilizes VMware's Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK) API's to open, close, read and write virtual disk data (VMDKs). To determine the level of VDDK used in each level of Data Protection for VMware, as well as compatible ESX/ESXi builds supported by the VDDK level, please refer to the tech note:


Tivoli Storage Manager for Virtual Environments: Data Protection for VMware Data Mover compatibility guide with VMware's Virtual Disk Development Kit located here http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21672351

For details about the supported applications, and required licensed software programs in order to perform database or mailbox level restore operations with Application protection for VM guests - see below on additional software requirements and limitations.


The supported operating systems by platform for the Data Mover / IBM Spectrum Protect Backup-Archive Client with Data Protection for VMware are detailed below.


Linux x86_64

The following operating systems are supported for the Data Mover on the Linux x86_64 platform:
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6.6: Client and Server Editions
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7.0: Client and Server Editions
  • SUSE Enterprise Linux 11 SP3: Desktop and Server Editions
  • SUSE Enterprise Linux 12: Desktop and Server Editions

Windows x64

The following operating systems are supported for the Data Mover on the Windows x64 platform:
  • Windows Server 2008 R2: Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Storage Server, Storage Server R2, Small Business Server, Essential Business Server, and Web Editions
  • Windows Server 2012 Essentials, Standard, and Datacenter Editions
  • Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials, Standard, and Datacenter Editions
    Note: Data Mover provides support for Windows Storage Server 2012 for functionality that is also available and supported by Data Mover on the Windows Server 2012 Editions.


Recovery Agent supported operating systems

This function provides virtual mount and instant restore capabilities. The supported operating systems by platform are detailed below.

Linux x86_64

The following operating systems are supported for the Recovery Agent on the Linux x86_64 platform:
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5.21 and later maintenance levels and mod levels: Desktop and Advanced Platform Editions
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 61 and later maintenance levels and mod levels: Client and Server Editions
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7 and later maintenance levels and mod levels: Client and Server Editions
  • SUSE Enterprise Linux 11 and later maintenance levels and mod levels: Desktop and Server Editions
  • SUSE Enterprise Linux 12 and later maintenance levels and mod levels: Desktop and Server Editions


    • Note:
    1. Requires the following minimum packages and their dependencies:
    • compat-db-4.6.21-15
    • libXp-1.0.0-15.1
    • libXmu-1.0.5-1
    • libXtst-1.0.99.2-3
    • pam-1.1.1-4
    • libXft-2.1.13-4.1
    • gtk2-2.18.9-4
    • gtk2-engines-2.18.4-5

The Recovery Agent Command Line Interface (CLI) is not supported on the Linux x86_64 platform.

Windows x86

The following operating systems are supported for the Recovery Agent on the Windows x86 platform:
  • Windows Server 2008 SP1, and later maintenance levels: Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Storage Server, Storage Server R2, Small Business Server, Essential Business Server, and Web Editions
  • Windows 7, and later maintenance levels: Enterprise, Home Premium, Professional, Starter, and Ultimate Editions
  • Windows 8, Professional and Enterprise Editions
  • Windows 8.1, Professional and Enterprise Editions
  • Windows 10, Pro and Enterprise Editions


    • Note:     If you use Active Directory with Microsoft Windows 2008 or Microsoft Windows 2008 R2, install the hot fix associated with Microsoft Knowledge Base article 970770 at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;970770

Windows x64

The following operating systems are supported for the Recovery Agent on the Windows x64 platform:
  • Windows Server 2008 SP11, and later maintenance levels: Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Storage Server, Storage Server R2, Small Business Server, Essential Business Server, and Web Editions
  • Windows Server 2008 R21, and later maintenance levels: Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Storage Server, Storage Server R2, Small Business Server, Essential Business Server, and Web Editions
  • Windows 7, and later maintenance levels: Enterprise, Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate Editions
  • Windows 8, Professional and Enterprise Editions
  • Windows 8.1, Professional and Enterprise Editions
  • Windows 10, Pro and Enterprise Editions
  • Windows Server 20122 Essentials, Standard, and Datacenter Editions
  • Windows Server 2012 R22 Essentials, Standard, and Datacenter Editions


    • Notes:
    1. If you use Active Directory with Microsoft Windows 2008 or Microsoft Windows 2008 R2, install the hot fix associated with Microsoft Knowledge Base article 970770 at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;970770
    2. Recovery Agent & Recovery Agent Command Line Interface plug-in provides support for Windows Storage Server 2012 for functionality that is also available and supported by Recovery Agent & Recovery Agent Command Line Interface on the Windows Server 2012 Editions.

Mount proxy supported operating systems

A mount proxy represents the Linux or Windows system that provides access to virtual machine disks and requires an iSCSI connection. Mount proxy systems are required when using the Data Protection for VMware vSphere GUI Mount wizard (introduced in Version 7.1.1) to mount a backed up virtual machine disk. The user has the option to automatically create shares (either CIFS or NFS) of the mounted volumes for a file restore operation.

When mounting a Windows virtual machine, a Windows mount proxy system is required. When mounting a Linux virtual machine, a pair of Windows and Linux mount proxy systems is required.

For a Linux mount proxy system, the following applications must be installed and configured:
  • IBM Spectrum Protect Backup-Archive client Version 7.1.4.

    • Note: The iSCSI service must be configured and running during the virtual machine disk mount operation and the file restore operation. By default, the iSCSI service is started manually. If the system where this service is running restarts, the iSCSI service must be restarted manually.

For a Microsoft Windows mount proxy system, the following applications must be installed and configured:
  • Tivoli® Storage Manager Backup-Archive client Version 7.1.4.
  • IBM Spectrum Protect for Virtual Environments Version 7.1.4: IBM Spectrum Protect recovery agent.

    • Note: The iSCSI Initiator service must be running during the virtual machine disk mount operation and the file restore operation. By default, the iSCSI service is started manually. If the system where this service is running restarts, the iSCSI service must be restarted manually.

Data Protection for VMware requires the following operating system levels as mount proxy systems:

Linux x86_64

The following operating systems are supported for the Mount Proxy on the Linux x86_64 platform:
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6 and 6.7: Client and Server Editions and newer maintenance levels
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7.1 and newer maintenance levels: Client and Server Editions
  • SUSE Enterprise Linux 11 SP3 and newer maintenance levels: Desktop and Server Editions
  • SUSE Enterprise Linux 12 and newer maintenance levels: Desktop and Server Editions

    • Note:
Windows x64

The following operating systems are supported for the Mount Proxy on the Windows x64 platform:
  • Windows Server 2008 R2: all Editions
  • Windows Server 2012 all Editions
  • Windows Server 2012 R2 all Editions


Additional software requirements supports and limitations

The following additional software is required to use Data Protection for VMware:
  • Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM Server) 6.2 and later interim fixes and Fix Packs
  • Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM Server) 6.3 and later interim fixes and Fix Packs
  • Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM Server) 7.1 and later interim fixes and Fix Packs

  • Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) Server 6.3.4, and later maintenance levels, Fix Packs, releases, and versions is required for use of following features that are new to Data Protection for VMware 7.1:
    • Show VMs with a backup report
    • Show failures from the most recent backup report
    • Show all backup failures report
    • Show backup history view
    • Show all history view
    • Show failed VMs view
    • Show all VMs view

  • Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) Server 7.1.0, and later maintenance levels, Fix Packs, releases, and versions is required for use of the following features that are new to Data Protection for VMware 7.1:
    • Application protection reporting

  • The Recovery Agent and Data Protection for VMware GUI require the following supporting applications on Linux:
    • Perl version 5
    • mdadm 2.6 tool for managing Linux Software RAID arrays
    • iSCSI Initiator 6.2 for Linux package
    • lsscsi command version 0.23
    • iscsiadm utility 0.10
    • Secure Shell (SSH) client for Linux 0.1


Data Protection for VMware components support the following applications:
  • The following browsers are supported with Data Protection for VMware
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 9, 10 or 11 on Windows
      If launching the Data Protection for VMware GUI as a plug-in from the VMware vSphere Desktop Client, Microsoft Internet Explorer version 9, 10 or 11 must be installed on the system where the desktop client is installed.
      Note:
      • vSphere Desktop Client plugin is not supported with vSphere 6.0
      • file restore is only supported with Microsoft Internet Explorer version 10 or 11 on Windows
    • Google Chrome 13 or later on Windows and Linux
    • Mozilla Firefox 10 Extended Service Release or later on Windows and Linux
  • Application protection for VM guests

  • Application protection supports the following applications for the 64-bit Windows x64 platform:
    • Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 SP3, and later maintenance levels: Standard or Enterprise Editions
    • Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 CU2 and later CU and maintenance levels: Standard or Enterprise Editions
    • Microsoft SQL Server 2008 SP3, and later maintenance levels: Standard x64 or Enterprise x64 Editions
    • Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 SP2, and later maintenance levels: Standard, Enterprise, or Data center Editions
    • Microsoft SQL Server 2012, and later maintenance levels: Standard, Business Intelligence, or Enterprise Editions
    • Microsoft SQL Server 2014, and later maintenance levels: Standard. Business Intelligence, or Enterprise Editions

    Application protection is supported on the vStorage Backup Server for the following operating systems: see section Data Mover supported operating systems

    Note: The Data Mover, which enables application protection backups, is only supported on Windows with 64-bit guest OSes.

    Application protection requires at least one of the following separately licensed software programs in order to perform database or mailbox level restore operations:

    For Microsoft Exchange Server:
    • Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager 4.1.4
    • IBM Spectrum Protect for Mail 7.1.4

    For Microsoft SQL Server:
    • Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager 4.1.4
    • IBM Spectrum Protect for Databases 7.1.4
  • IBM Spectrum Protect for Virtual Environments backs up and restores virtual machines which are deployed on Vmware Virtual Volumes (Vvols).

Compatibility and Upgrade Considerations



IBM Spectrum Protect for Virtual Environments: Data Protection for VMware and IBM Spectrum Protect Snapshot for VMware share some common components.

As a result, customers who use both products must ensure that their installations of Data Protection for VMware and IBM Spectrum Protect Snapshot for VMware are synchronized. If the the product level is not synchronized, the VMware GUI functionality of the product that was not updated will be disabled.

Additional information regarding compatibility between IBM Spectrum Protect for Virtual Environments: Data Protection for VMware and IBM Spectrum Protect Snapshot for VMware is located here: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21657694


Hardware requirements for Data Protection for VMware

Hardware requirements vary and depend on the following items:
  • Number of protected servers
  • Number of protected volumes
  • Data set sizes
  • LAN and SAN connectivity

The following table describes the hardware requirements that are needed to install Data Protection for VMware.

Component Minimal requirement Preferred
System IntelPentium D 3 GHz Dual Core processor or compatibleNot applicable
Memory 2 GB RAM, 2 GB virtual
address space		Not applicable
Available hard disk200 MB for 'Documents and
Settings' folder		2 GB
NIC Card 1 NIC - 100 Mbps 1 NIC - 1 Gbps


Where to download IBM Spectrum Protect for Virtual Environments 7.1.4

The IBM Spectrum Protect for Virtual Environments download document provides information about how and where to obtain the IBM Spectrum Protect for Virtual Environments 7.1.4 package. The information is located at: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg24041094

TIP: Data Protection for VMware 7.1.4 is a component of IBM Spectrum Protect for Virtual Environments 7.1.4



Hardware and Software requirements for other releases of Data Protection for VMware

The Hardware and Software requirements for other releases and Fix Packs for all IBM Spectrum Protect Data Protection for Virtual Environment components are located in the "IBM Spectrum Protect for Virtual Environments - All Requirements Doc" located at:
http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21505139

Related Information

All requirements Doc

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Document Information

Modified date:
17 June 2018

UID

swg21970882

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