Configuring the client to run scheduled operations

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You must configure and start a client scheduler on the client node. The client scheduler enables communication between the client and server so that scheduled operations can occur. For example, scheduled operations typically include backing up files from a client.

About this task

The preferred method is to install the backup-archive client on all client nodes so that you can configure and start the client acceptor on the client node. The client acceptor is designed to efficiently run scheduled operations. The client acceptor manages the client scheduler so that the scheduler runs only when required:

When it is time to query the server about the next scheduled operation
When it is time to start the next scheduled operation

By using the client acceptor, you can reduce the number of background processes on the client and help to avoid memory retention problems.

The client acceptor runs schedules for the following products: the backup-archive client, IBM® Storage Protect for Databases, IBM Storage Protect for Enterprise Resource Planning, IBM Storage Protect for Mail, and IBM Storage Protect for Virtual Environments. If you installed a product for which the client acceptor does not run schedules, follow the configuration instructions in the product documentation to ensure that scheduled operations can occur.

If your business uses a third-party scheduling tool as standard practice, you can use that scheduling tool as an alternative to the client acceptor. Typically, third-party scheduling tools start client programs directly by using operating system commands. To configure a third-party scheduling tool, see the product documentation.

Procedure

To configure and start the client scheduler by using the client acceptor, follow the instructions for the operating system that is installed on the client node:

AIX® and Oracle Solaris

From the backup-archive client GUI, click Edit > Client Preferences.
Click the Web Client tab.
In the Managed Services Options field, click Schedule. If you also want the client acceptor to manage the web client, click the Both option.
To ensure that the scheduler can start unattended, in the dsm.sys file, set the passwordaccess option to generate.
To store the client node password, issue the following command and enter the client node password when prompted:
```
dsmc query sess
```
Start the client acceptor by issuing the following command on the command line:
```
/usr/bin/dsmcad
```
To enable the client acceptor to start automatically after a system restart, add the following entry to the system startup file (typically, /etc/inittab):
```
tsm::once:/usr/bin/dsmcad > /dev/null 2>&1 # Client Acceptor Daemon
```

Linux®

From the backup-archive client GUI, click Edit > Client Preferences.
Click the Web Client tab.
In the Managed Services Options field, click Schedule. If you also want the client acceptor to manage the web client, click the Both option.
To ensure that the scheduler can start unattended, in the dsm.sys file, set the passwordaccess option to generate.
To store the client node password, issue the following command and enter the client node password when prompted:
```
dsmc query sess
```
Start the client acceptor by logging in with the root user ID and issuing the following command:
```
service dsmcad start
```
To enable the client acceptor to start automatically after a system restart, add the service by issuing the following command at a shell prompt:
```
# chkconfig --add dsmcad
```

MAC OS X

In the backup-archive client GUI, click Edit > Client Preferences.
To ensure that the scheduler can start unattended, click Authorization, select Password Generate, and click Apply.
To specify how services are managed, click Web Client, select Schedule, click Apply, and click OK.
To ensure that the generated password is saved, restart the backup-archive client.
Use the IBM Storage Protect Tools for Administrators application to start the client acceptor.

Windows

In the backup-archive client GUI, click Utilities > Setup Wizard > Help me configure the Client Scheduler. Click Next.
Read the information on the Scheduler Wizard page and click Next.
On the Scheduler Task page, select Install a new or additional scheduler and click Next.
On the Scheduler Name and Location page, specify a name for the client scheduler that you are adding. Then, select Use the Client Acceptor daemon (CAD) to manage the scheduler and click Next.
Enter the name that you want to assign to this client acceptor. The default name is Client Acceptor. Click Next.
Complete the configuration by stepping through the wizard.
Update the client options file, dsm.opt, and set the passwordaccess option to generate.
To store the client node password, issue the following command at the command prompt:
```
dsmc query sess
```
Enter the client node password when prompted.
Start the client acceptor service from the Services Control page. For example, if you used the default name, start the Client Acceptor service. Do not start the scheduler service that you specified on the Scheduler Name and Location page. The scheduler service is started and stopped automatically by the client acceptor service as needed.