AIX: Minimum system requirements for AIX systems

Before you install an IBM Spectrum Protect server on an AIX® operating system, review the hardware and software requirements.

Hardware and software requirements for the IBM Spectrum Protect server installation

The optimal IBM Spectrum Protect environment is set up with data deduplication by using the IBM Spectrum® Protect Blueprints.

For the most current information about IBM Spectrum Protect system requirements, see technote 1243309.

Hardware requirements

Table 1 describes the minimum hardware requirements that are needed for a server on an AIX system. If the server does not meet the minimum requirements, the installation fails. For more details about planning disk space, see AIX: Capacity planning.

Table 1. Hardware requirements
Type of hardware Hardware requirements
General For disk-only environments, use any appropriately provisioned and configured hardware on which you can run an operating system that is supported for this product and release.

For environments that use other types of storage, such as tape, contact your device vendor for support requirements.
Processor

IBM Spectrum Protect requires a POWER6® processor or later.
Disk space The following minimum values for disk space:
  • 7.5 GB for the installation directory
  • 4 GB for the /tmp directory
  • 2.5 GB for the /var directory
  • 128 MB in the home directory for the root user.
  • 2 GB for the shared resources area

In case a problem arises and any diagnosis is needed, it is optimal to have temporary or other space available on the system for a first failure data capture (FFDC) log or for other temporary uses such as for collecting trace logs.

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 to run replication. If replication and data deduplication are both being used, create an active log of 128 GB. 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.

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 needs its own container or LUN.

Ensure that you see AIX: Capacity planning 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 for node replication with data deduplication
For more specific memory requirements for larger databases and higher ingestion capability, see the IBM Spectrum Protect server memory tuning table.

For more specific memory requirements when you are using data deduplication, see the IBM Spectrum Protect Blueprint for your operating system.

Software requirements

Table 2 describes the minimum software requirements that are needed for a server on an AIX system.

Table 2. Software requirements
Type of software Minimum software requirements
Operating system
AIX 7.1 running in a 64-bit kernel environment.
  • AIX 7.1 TL 4 and SP5.
  • 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 7.2 running in a 64-bit kernel environment.
  • AIX 7.2 TL 1 and SP4.
  • 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 21165448

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
Communication protocol 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 IBM Spectrum Protect server with tape devices.
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.
Other software
  • Korn Shell (ksh)
  • 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, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016)
    • IBM Security Directory Server V6.3
    • IBM Security Directory Server V6.4