What's new

IBM Storage Protect server

IBM Storage Protect server updates:

Server database backup stacking on tape

IBM Storage Protect introduces support for database backup stacking on tape, allowing multiple database backups to be written to the same tape volume. By reusing tape media, this feature reduces scratch media requirements and improves tape capacity utilization. For more information, see the following topics:

• Configuring database backup stacking on tape
• Reclamation of database backup tape volumes

Monitoring server using Call Home

The Call Home feature enables automated transmission of server configuration and health data to IBM support for proactive monitoring and issue resolution. This feature helps IBM support to identify potential problems, configuration issues, and best practice violations before they impact your environment.

For more information about the Call Home feature, see Overview of Call Home.

Multipart upload completion performance

IBM Storage Protect Object Agent performance is optimized for multipart upload, improving the efficiency of listing and restore operations for object agent based data and delivering better overall performance.

For more information, see Multipart upload completion performance.

Adaptive secure communication

IBM Storage Protect Object Agent now supports an adaptive secure communication mechanism that can improve performance for same-host communication. When enabled, the Object Agent selectively disables TLS for connections to the IBM Storage Protect server on the same host while maintaining encrypted sign-on and authentication. TLS continues to be used for cross-host connections, helping improve throughput without affecting security for remote communications.

For more information, see Adaptive secure communication.

MCP Server for IBM Storage Protect

An open-source MCP (Model Context Protocol) server is available for IBM Storage Protect, bringing AI-powered, natural-language management capabilities to the platform. The MCP server converts user requests into IBM Storage Protect operations, automating routine workflows and improving operational efficiency.

For more information, see Configuring the MCP server to manage operations.

Support for AIX 7.3 TL4

IBM Storage Protect server now supports AIX 7.3 TL4. For more information, see Minimum system requirements for AIX systems.

IBM Storage Protect client

IBM Storage Protect client updates:

Automatic exclusion of tsmpswd.lck file from backup operations

The IBM Storage Protect backup-archive client now automatically excludes the tsmpswd.lck file from backup, archive, and restore operations. This enhancement eliminates ANS4005E errors that previously occurred when the client attempted to back up its own password lock file. For more information, see Excluding files automatically from backup processing.

NetApp ONTAP 9.18

Storage Protect backup-archive client leverages NetApp Snapshot Differential Backup (snapdiff) capability to protect the NetApp ONTAP FlexGroup volumes. For more information, see Support for NetApp FlexGroup volumes by Snapshot Differential Backup (snapdiff).

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.8 (RHEL 9.8)

The IBM Storage Protect backup-archive client can backup files stored in RHEL 9.8. RHEL 9.8 is the latest major release of Red Hat's enterprise operating system, primarily focused on providing a stable, secure, and AI-ready foundation for hybrid cloud, edge, and traditional data center environments. For more information, see Linux x86_64 requirements: IBM Storage Protect Client.

Journal Based Backup

The IBM Storage Protect backup-archive client support Journal Based Backup (JBB) for files in RHEL 9.6 and SUSE 15.5 (x86 only). For more information, see Journal-based backup on AIX and LinuxJournal-based backup on AIX and Linux.

IBM Storage Scale 6.0.1

IBM Storage Protect backup-archive client supports migrate-recall use case supported by Hierarchical Storage Management (HSM) for files stored in IBM Storage Scale 6.0.1 on AIX 7.3 TL3. For more information, see IBM AIX requirements: IBM Storage Protect Client.

IBM Storage Protect backup-archive client supports migrate-recall use case supported by Hierarchical Storage Management (HSM) for files stored in IBM Storage Scale 6.0.1 on SLES 15 SP7 on x86_64, POWER and zLinux. For more information, see Overview - IBM Storage Protect Supported Operating Systems.

IBM Storage Protect backup-archive client can backup files stored in RHEL 9.6 on x86_64, POWER and zLinux with Hierarchical Storage Management (HSM) for files stored in IBM Storage Scale 6.0.1. For more information, see Linux x86_64 requirements: IBM Storage Protect Client.

IBM Storage Protect backup-archive client can back up files stored on Ubuntu 24.04 on x86_64 and POWER. For more information, see Overview - IBM Storage Protect Supported Operating Systems.

IBM Carbon Design-based web interface for Linux

The IBM Carbon Design-based web interface version 4.0 is now available in addition to the existing web user interface. The new web interface provides a modern user experience with an updated design and improved usability. The configuration procedure is the same as for the existing web interface. For more information, see Signing in to the web user interface.

Maintenance updates