Software components

The following Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager for VMware software components use the VMware vSphere APIs:

• Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager for VMware GUI.
• Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager for VMware application agent, fcmcli.
• Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager for VMware device and operating system agent, acsgen.

The following agents are used by Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager for VMware:

Application agent

The application agent provides support for the snapshot-based protection of the vSphere environments. The Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager for VMware application agent, fcmcli, provides the following capabilities:

• Identifies the application objects that must be protected by Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager for VMware by using the vSphere API.
• Processes the virtual machines as suspend, resume, create, or delete snapshots by using the vSphere API.

Management agent

The management agent, acsd, coordinates the backup operation. This agent controls the flow of information between the application and device agents. The management agent also provides access to the snapshot backup repository that contains information about the valid snapshot backups and their relationships to snapshot-capable storage devices. This component is application, device, and operating system independent.

Device agent

The acsgen device agent is a generic device agent that interacts with operating system-specific and storage device-specific adapters. This agent sends and requests updates on the progress and usability of the information that is stored in the local snapshot backup repository. The component is operating system-dependent and device independent.

The following lists the storage device-specific agents that communicate with the acsgen agent:

• The CIM adapter, fmcima, is used with the generic device agent, acsgen. This adapter issue commands to the supported storage device by using the CIM interface. Examples of supported storage include DS8000®, Storwize® V7000, and SAN Volume Controller.
• The XIV® storage adapter is used with the generic device agent acsgen. This adapter communicates with the acsgen agent and issues commands to the XIV Storage System by using the command-line interface XCLI.
• The N series and NetApp storage adapter fmna is used with the generic device agent acsgen. This adapter issue commands to the storage device by using the ONTAPI interface.

Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager for VMware GUI

The GUI is integrated with the VMware vSphere Client.

There are two methods to access the GUI:

• A plug-in that integrates with the VMware vSphere Client. This plug-in is accessed as a vCenter Client extension in the Solutions and Applications panel of the vSphere windows client or the Classic Solutions panel in the vSphere web Client.
• A stand-alone web browser GUI. This GUI is accessed through a URL bookmark to the GUI web server. For example:

  https://guihost.mycompany.com:9081/TsmVMwareUI/

  Note: The port number to access the GUI web server is specified during the installation.

Use this GUI to complete these tasks:

• Schedule or initiate a backup of your virtual machines.
• Initiate a full recovery of your virtual machines or virtual machine disks.
• Attach and detach single virtual machine disks of a Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager for VMware backup to virtual machines.
• Manage your virtual machines in the vCenter.
• Issue reports concerning backup, restore, and configuration activity.
• Inquire information about existing backups.

Data Protection for VMware command-line interface, VMCLI

This command-line interface is installed with the Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager for VMware GUI. You can use Data Protection for VMware command-line interface commands to complete the following tasks:

• Initiate a backup of your virtual machines or schedule a backup for a later time.
• Initiate a full restore of your virtual machines, virtual machine files, or virtual machine disks.
• View configuration information about the backup database and environment.
• Inquire information about existing backups.
• Attach and detach single virtual machine disks of a Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager for VMware backup to virtual machines.

The Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager for VMware GUI is the primary task interface. The Data Protection for VMware command-line interface provides a useful secondary interface. Use the Data Protection for VMware command-line interface for tasks such as implementing a scheduling mechanism that is different from the one implemented by the Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager for VMware GUI.