Windows operating systemsLinux operating systemsAIX operating systems

Verifying the storage agent configuration

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To ensure that the storage agent is moving data to the z/OS media server, you must verify that the hardware and software components are configured correctly.

Procedure

Verify the storage agent configuration by completing the following steps:

  1. Start the storage agent:
    • Linux operating systemsAIX operating systemsChange to the storage agent directory and issue the DSMSTA command.
    • Windows operating systemsOpen the Windows Services management console. Right-click the TSM Stagent service and click Start.

    When the storage agent starts, it contacts all available shared libraries, including those libraries that do not have a defined path. As a result, a delay might occur during startup processing. The storage agent also determines if the IBM Storage Protect server is a library client or library manager. If the server is a library client, the storage agent attempts to define itself to the library manager if it is not known to the library manager. When the storage agent communicates with the IBM Storage Protect server, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) information is displayed to indicate that SSL is in use.

  2. Run a backup operation from the client.
  3. Log on to the IBM Storage Protect server and storage agent by using a IBM Storage Protect administrative command-line client.
  4. Verify that the storage agent is moving the backup data to the z/OS media server and the sessions are established by issuing the QUERY SESSION command.
    In the command output, look for information about bytes sent and bytes received. If the storage agent is successfully moving the data, complete the following steps:
    • Querying a session on the storage agent shows bytes received for the node that is increasing to the total amount of data that is backing up.
    • Querying a session on the IBM Storage Protect server shows a few bytes (metadata) received for the same node.
    If the node's session has these characteristics, and you receive a message that states that the backup was successful, you configured your system correctly.

    There are several ways to query a session. If the process is running in the foreground, you can issue the QUERY SESSION command on the storage agent console. Alternatively, you can use a command-line client to connect to the storage agent on the administration port of the storage agent. Use the same administrator ID and password for this command that you use on the server.

  5. If you receive a message that states that the backup failed, verify the following tasks:
    • The IBM Storage Protect server is running. If the Tivoli Storage Manager server is not running, the storage agent will not start.
    • The z/OS media server is available and accessible from the storage agent.
    • The client, storage agent, and server are communicating with each other.
    • The mount and message are displayed on the storage agent console.
    If you try the backup operation again after the first failure, the client attempts to use the LAN connection for data movement. To force data movement from the storage agent to the z/OS media server, stop and restart the client.