Comparing storage pools

Tivoli® Storage Manager storage pools are used for various functions. Evaluate the different storage pools to determine the appropriate ones for your storage requirements.

Storage pool type	Description
Directory-container storage pool	A primary storage pool that a server uses to store data. Data that is stored in directory-container storage pools uses both inline and client-side data deduplication.
Cloud-container storage pool	A primary storage pool that a server uses to store data. Use cloud-container storage pools to store data to an object-store based cloud storage provider. Data that is stored in cloud-container storage pools uses both inline and client-side data deduplication.
Random-access storage pool	A set of volumes that the server uses to store backup versions of files, archive copies of files, and files that are migrated from client nodes. Files are stored on DISK devices.
Sequential-access storage pool	A set of volumes that the server uses to store backup versions of files, archive copies of files, and files that are migrated from client nodes. Files are stored on tape or FILE devices. Data that is stored in sequential-access storage pools uses both postprocess and client-side data deduplication.

Use the following table to compare storage pool capabilities and choose the correct storage pool based on your storage requirements.

User goal	Directory-container storage pool	Cloud-container storage pool	Random-access storage pool	Sequential-access storage pool
Protect storage pool data through node replication.
Reduce storage needs by using inline data deduplication.
Reduce storage needs by using client-side data deduplication.
Reduce storage needs by using postprocess data deduplication.
Protect storage pool data through storage pool protection.
Back up storage pool data by using copy storage pools on disk or tape.
Store data in a cloud.