IBM Spectrum Protect server updates

Updates are available in the IBM Spectrum® Protect 8.1.13 server.

Replicate data to multiple servers
IBM Spectrum Protect 8.1.13 introduces multi-target replication, which is the process of replicating data from a source replication server to multiple target replication servers. In previous releases, you could replicate data only to a single target replication server.
Streamline and improve replication by using replication storage rules
IBM Spectrum Protect 8.1.13 introduces a feature for replicating data by defining replication storage rules and associated subrules. This feature streamlines the configuration process and supports fine-tuning of replication operations. In addition, the feature supports enhanced protection of data in directory-container storage pools.
Copy retention sets to cloud object storage
With IBM Spectrum Protect 8.1.13, you can copy retention sets to cloud object storage. You can maintain a copy of retention sets on standard cloud storage or archive cloud storage. By copying retention sets to standard cloud storage, you provide an extra layer of protection for the data. By copying retention sets to archive cloud storage, you provide long-term protection of data that is infrequently accessed.
Copy retention sets for replication target nodes to tape or cloud object storage
With IBM Spectrum Protect 8.1.13, retention sets that include data for replication target nodes can be copied to tape or cloud object storage to help improve data recoverability. In addition, retention sets that include data for replication target nodes can now be created by specifying a date and time in the past.
Simplify the configuration and deployment of cloud object storage
Starting with IBM Spectrum Protect 8.1.13, the cloud credentials of cloud-container storage pools are automatically migrated to newly created cloud connections. Cloud connections support read and write operations to and from cloud object storage. Each newly created cloud connection is associated with a cloud-container storage pool. Parameters that are used to connect to cloud object storage providers are specified in the cloud connection and not in the cloud-container storage pool.
Monitor the cloud read cache to help improve performance
With IBM Spectrum Protect 8.1.13, you can validate the effectiveness of the cloud read cache for one or more cloud-container storage pools. The cloud read cache consists of disk storage space that is used in storage pool directories as a staging area for restoring data. When data is downloaded in bulk to the cloud read cache, read requests are redirected to the storage pool's disk storage location to help improve the performance of restore operations.
Swift-based cloud types are discontinued
Swift-based cloud types are deprecated for cloud-container storage pools. When you define a new cloud-container storage pool with IBM Spectrum Protect 8.1.13, specify a cloud object storage provider such as IBM Cloud® Object Storage, Amazon Web Services (AWS) with Simple Storage Service (S3), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Storage. You cannot specify a Swift-based cloud type (SWIFT, V1SWIFT, or IBMCLOUDSWIFT) for a new cloud connection.
Take advantage of new flexibility for tiering data to file storage
IBM Spectrum Protect 8.1.13 introduces a new option for tiering, which is the process of automatically moving data from one type of storage to another. In previous releases, you could tier data from directory-container storage pools to cloud storage or tape storage. With IBM Spectrum Protect 8.1.13, you can also tier data to file storage.

Parent topic: What's new