Scheduling tasks

Automate your data protection with IBM Storage Protect Snapshot scheduling. IBM Storage Protect Snapshot uses the Windows Scheduler to automate backup and restore operations. You can also schedule tasks by using the TSM Scheduler, and by using the PowerShell cmdlets that are available for use when you interact with Microsoft Management Console (MMC).

The scheduling wizards contain templates for PowerShell and command-line scripts. The default is PowerShell. For more information about the PowerShell cmdlets that are available for scheduling tasks, open a Windows PowerShell prompt and change directories to C:\Program Files\Tivoli\FlashCopyManager. Enter the following command:

gcm -mod FmModuleMMC *schedule*

You might see a list of available scheduling cmdlets like the following sample:

CommandType Name ModuleName
----------- ---- ----------
Cmdlet Clear-FcmMmcScheduledActivityHistory FmModuleMMC
Cmdlet Disable-FcmMmcSchedule FmModuleMMC
Cmdlet Enable-FcmMmcSchedule FmModuleMMC
Cmdlet Get-FcmMmcSchedule FmModuleMMC
Cmdlet Get-FcmMmcScheduledActivity FmModuleMMC
Cmdlet New-FcmMmcSchedule FmModuleMMC
Cmdlet Remove-FcmMmcSchedule FmModuleMMC
Cmdlet Set-FcmMmcSchedule FmModuleMMC
Cmdlet Start-FcmMmcSchedule FmModuleMMC

1. Create and edit new schedules.
   Use the Scheduling wizard to guide you through the steps to define a local scheduled data protection task. The Scheduling wizard is available in the Action pane.

   You can select the type of scheduler you want to use to manage your scheduled operations. Click the relevant check box to select either the local Windows Scheduler or the IBM Storage Protect client scheduler. To use the IBM Storage Protect client scheduler, you must configure the client to use the client acceptor to manage the scheduler. For more information, see Configuring the client to use the client acceptor service to manage the scheduler.

   You can create the following types of schedules:

   Hourly

   This type of schedule starts at a set time and runs indefinitely or for a set duration. It can be repeated at a specified time. Despite the duration or repeat settings, this type of schedule runs within one 24-hour period only.

   Daily

   This type of schedule starts at a set time and repeats each day as specified.

   Weekly

   This type of schedule starts at a set time and repeats every week as specified.

   Monthly

   This type of schedule starts at a set time and repeats every month as specified.

2. If you select Windows Scheduler, then your schedule is managed by the local Windows schedule. If you select IBM Storage Protect client scheduler, a macro file is created that contains the IBM Storage Protect server commands required to create your scheduling task. You can specify IBM Storage Protect server details, such as administrator user details and the port and the IBM Storage Protect server address. You can also review and edit the created macro file.
3. Select PowerShell in the scheduling wizard, and complete one or more of the following tasks:
   • Specify a single schedule to complete workloads as a single scheduled task. For example, you can complete a full backup on Sunday and incremental backups on other days.
   • Select the MMC template to generate and email a report. When you select PowerShell in the scheduling wizard, four templates are available: file system, SQL Server, Exchange Server, and MMC. The other templates include statements to ensure that the correct working directory is used, and that error information is handled correctly. The templates also include sample statements to run queries and backups.
4. After you define your schedule, run it manually. Select the schedule and, in the Actions pane, click Run.
   For more granular control of your schedules, access the Windows scheduled tasks control pane.

   By default, IBM Storage Protect Snapshot schedules are activated by using Windows System Account permissions. If a schedule requires different Windows permissions, click Run as and enter the appropriate account and password. You cannot specify the percentage (%) character.

   All defined schedules are displayed.
5. The scheduled history log file keeps entries for 60 days, by default. To override this default value, change the scheduled history log prune value in the main IBM Storage Protect Snapshot settings.
   In the Tree View, select the computer node that you want, and in the Actions pane, click Properties.