IBM Spectrum Protect Plus updates

Learn about new features and updates for IBM Spectrum Protect Plus Version 10.1.

Release New features and updates
V10.1.3
Offload to cloud storage
Use cost-efficient cloud storage with IBM Spectrum Protect Plus for long-term data retention both onsite and offsite. Offload copies from the vSnap server are incremental forever and support any of these cloud storage providers.
  • Amazon S3 cloud storage
  • IBM Cloud™ Object Storage
  • IBM Cloud Object Storage with immutable object storage
  • Microsoft Azure Blob Storage (Hot and Cool Storage Tiers)
  • IBM Spectrum Protect server.
Use instant recovery capabilities for any copies that are offloaded to the cloud or to IBM Spectrum Protect storage.
For more information, see Offload to secondary backup storage.
Back up and restore Microsoft Exchange databases
IBM Spectrum Protect Plus application support is extended to include Microsoft Exchange Server environments. You can protect all your Exchange databases such as stand-alone or database availability group (DAG) configurations. Back up databases by selecting a service level agreement (SLA) policy, which determines the backup schedule and retention rate. Restore databases on demand or schedule jobs for your needs. Use the granular restore function with the IBM Spectrum Protect Plus Microsoft Management Console (MMC) GUI to restore individual mailbox items.
For more information, see Microsoft Exchange Server.
Back up and restore MongoDB databases
IBM Spectrum Protect Plus application support is extended to include non-sharded MongoDB environments. You can protect MongoDB databases by selecting an SLA policy, which determines the backup schedule and retention rate. You can restore on-demand or schedule jobs to run to an alternative host. Restore options include instant access to support rapid verification and testing, test restore operations to support DevOps, and full restore-to-production operations. This feature extends IBM Spectrum Protect Plus application support to include community and enterprise editions of MongoDB workloads.
For more information, see MongoDB. For more information about supported environments, see the MongoDB requirements.
Enhanced restore capabilities for Db2® restoring to alternative locations
Restore the same databases to the same machine multiple times with different names. When you are restoring multiple copies of the same Db2 databases, you no longer need to use different target machines for each of the restore operations. Restore the same databases to the same machine multiple times if needed.
For more information about restoring Db2 databases to alternative locations, see Restoring Db2 databases to an alternative instance.
Optimize offload to IBM Spectrum Protect
Offload incremental forever replicas from a vSnap server to an IBM Spectrum Protect storage server with container storage pools. The offload operation supports all workloads that are supported by IBM Spectrum Protect Plus.
For more information about offload operations, see Offload to secondary backup storage.
Advanced backup capability
Manage your backup jobs outside of an SLA schedule, with increased capability such as the ability to run partially completed jobs or to run a backup job of a single resource.
For more information about managing jobs, see Rerunning a partially completed job, and Backing up a single resource.
Support is extended
Support in IBM Spectrum Protect Plus is extended to include the following environments:
  • Oracle 18c stand-alone configuration
  • Windows 2019
  • vSphere 6.7 Update 1
  • File-level indexing and restore on Windows Server Core platforms 2012, 2016, and 2019
  • OpenLDAP servers
For more information about system requirements, see Component requirements.
Enable high availability options for IBM Spectrum Protect Plus
Use VMware and Microsoft HyperV high availability options to support an active-passive high availability configuration for your IBM Spectrum Protect Plus environment.

For more information about how high availability options, see How to provide high-availability for the IBM Spectrum Protect Plus server.

Save space by expiring recovery points of virtual machines and databases
Expire catalog entries associated with a resource from the IBM Spectrum Protect Plus catalog. This cleanup releases space in the catalog and removes the corresponding restore points from recovery screens.
For more information, see Deleting IBM Spectrum Protect Plus resources from the catalog.
Automate deployment of VADP proxies
With the IBM Spectrum Protect Plus open virtual appliance (OVA) installers, VMware vStorage API for Data Protection (VADP) proxies are packaged in vSnap OVA or executable files. This inclusion means that the VADP proxy is installed automatically during the vSnap deployment. A vSnap and VADP proxy appliance server must meet the minimum requirements of both devices.
For more information, see Component requirements.
Improve security with SSH certificates
Use a Secure Shell (SSH) key for credentials and application registration to enhance the security of connections between your resources and IBM Spectrum Protect Plus. In addition to application registration, SSH keys and certificates can be used for file indexing and offload operations.
For more information about keys and certificates, see Managing keys and certificates.
Balance the workload to manage network activity
Global throttling ensures that multiple VADP proxies are optimally used to maximize data throughput. For each virtual machine that is backed up, IBM Spectrum Protect Plus determines which VADP proxy is the least busy with the most available memory and free tasks.
For more information, see Managing VADP backup proxies.
Define mount points for your instant access restore operations
Specify a mount point prefix when you are restoring your databases from the vSnap repository. When the restore job runs, it uses the specified mount point prefix instead of the default agent prefix. Instant access restore operations are available for all applications on both Windows and Linux operating systems.
Prioritize data resources to control processing order
In IBM Spectrum Protect Plus, you can assign priorities to your virtual resources to control the order of processing in an SLA policy. Select the resource in the VMware Backup pane, and then set the backup priority in the Priority field.
For more information, see Backing up VMware data.
Throttle network usage during replication and offload operations
Adjust bandwidth usage by using site throttling between vSnap repositories. By throttling workloads, you can help to avoid impact to any critical operations that use the same network.
For more information about defining throttling rates, see Changing offload throughput rate.
Enhance API interactions with Swagger UI
Interact with IBM Spectrum Protect Plus REST APIs by using a Swagger user interface.
Monitor the status of your IBM Spectrum Protect Plus environment
The enhanced dashboard displays the overall condition of IBM Spectrum Protect Plus workloads. Review protection status, storage capacity, and job status in a single view that helps you to prioritize your workload. To see more details about your jobs, including job logs, go to the navigation pane and click Jobs and Operations > Monitoring > Policy and Job List.
For more information about the dashboard, see Product dashboard.
Use assistive technologies for enhanced accessibility
Keyboard functions and accessibility features are available to help you to navigate the IBM Spectrum Protect Plus user interface.
V10.1.2
Back up and restore Db2 databases
This feature extends IBM Spectrum Protect Plus application support to include IBM® Db2 environments. With IBM Spectrum Protect Plus Version 10.1.2, you can back up Db2 databases and logs. Restore options include instant access to support rapid verification and testing, test restore operations to support development and testing, DevOps, and full restore-to-production operations including point-in-time recovery.
For more information, see Db2.
Enable vSnap encryption
This feature enhances the security of your backup data. Both onboard and external vSnap servers can now be initialized with encryption enabled.
For more information, see Adding a vSnap server as a backup storage provider.
Update your VADP proxy servers automatically
This feature helps to ensure that your external VMware vStorage APIs for Data Protection (VADP) proxies are always up-to-date without user interaction. VADP proxy updates are applied as soon as they become available.
For more information, see Installing vSnap servers.
Reduce system load and optimize throughput
Throttling optimizes the use of multiple VADP proxies to maximize data throughput. For each virtual machine that is backed up, IBM Spectrum Protect Plus determines which VADP proxy is the least active and has the most available memory and free capacity.
For more information, see Managing VADP backup proxies.
Save space in Oracle environments by truncating logs
Use the option to Truncate source logs after successful backup for Oracle backup operations to save the space that is used storing log files. Archived logs from successful backup operations that are no longer needed are deleted to save space.
For more information, see Backing up Oracle data.
Control throughput for application database backups
Server performance might be affected when many databases are backed up concurrently. The Maximum concurrent databases option controls the impact on Oracle and SQL servers and reduces the impact on production operations.
For more information, see Adding an Oracle application server and Adding a SQL Server application server.
Protect your IBM Spectrum Protect Plus environment
Enhancements to the IBM Spectrum Protect Plus catalog backup and catalog restore features enables you to back up your catalog to the cloud, further preserving your environment for potential disaster recovery scenarios. Additionally, imported keys and certificates are now included in catalog backups.
For more information, see Protecting IBM Spectrum Protect Plus.
Run scripts from an application server or dedicated script server
Enable scripts to extend the operations of IBM Spectrum Protect Plus. Pre-scripts and post-scripts that are associated with application backup and restore jobs can now be run from an application server or dedicated script server.
For more information, see Configuring scripts for backup and restore operations.
Monitor the status of your IBM Spectrum Protect Plus environment
A redesigned dashboard offers greater insight into the general state of your IBM Spectrum Protect Plus environment. The Job Status section displays a summary of job activities over a selected time period through a wide-ranging scatter plot. The Capacity Summary section displays the usage and availability of your vSnap storage.
For more information, see Product dashboard.
Receive information about runtime errors in real time
An alert list in the IBM Spectrum Protect Plus user interface displays errors and warnings, helping to quickly identify and resolve issues. Each item in the alert list includes a status icon, a summary of the issue, and a link to associated logs.
For more information, see Alerts.
Plan backup strategies efficiently
A new Policy Overview pane displays data about the protection of your overall environment so that you can plan backup strategies with greater efficiency.
For more information, see Creating an SLA policy.
Enhance your user experience
The IBM Spectrum Protect Plus user interface is updated to improve consistency and usability.
V10.1.1 Patch 1
Enhance the protection of Oracle databases by enabling more frequent recovery points
You can use Oracle backup jobs to back up Oracle logs files. In this way, you enable point-in-time restore operations. This feature provides more frequent recovery points and enhances Oracle database protection. For more information, see Restoring Oracle data.
Protect SQL Server system databases to vSnap
Microsoft SQL Server system databases such as the master database can be backed up to vSnap and recovered by using the Instant Access restore type. This feature broadens the scope of SQL Server protection with IBM Spectrum Protect Plus. For more information, see Restoring SQL Server data.
Back up and restore SQL Server 2017 databases
Backup and recovery of Microsoft SQL Server 2017 databases is supported in stand-alone configurations on Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2016 operating systems. This feature extends protection for SQL Server.
Back up and restore encrypted virtual machines
Backing up and restoring encrypted VMware virtual machines is supported in vSphere 6.5 and later environments. Encrypted virtual machines can be backed up and restored at the virtual machine level to their original location. This feature provides an extra layer of data security. For more information, see Backing up and restoring VMware data.
Restore VMware data directly to VMware ESX hosts
Service level agreement (SLA) policies are available to restore data to a VMware ESX host directly, regardless of whether vCenter is available. The VMware restore job destination option ESX Host if vCenter is down is provided for this feature. For more information, see Restoring VMware data.
V10.1.1
Protect Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle databases
You can back up and restore SQL Server and Oracle databases with IBM Spectrum Protect Plus.
For both SQL Server and Oracle Database, full restore and Instant Access scenarios are supported. In addition, for SQL server, you can use the log backup feature for continual backup of transaction logs to a specified destination.
For more information, see Backing up and restoring SQL Server data and Backing up and restoring Oracle data.
Generate reports for supported application databases
Reports are now available that provide insight into the state of your backup operations for database applications.
With these reports, you can review the protection status of your supported application databases, the backup history of application databases, and the Recovery Point Objective (RPO) compliance status of databases as defined by their SLA Policies.
For more information, see Protection reports and System reports.
Asynchronously replicate backup data from one vSnap server to another
IBM Spectrum Protect Plus supports backup storage replication, which enables asynchronous replication of backup data from one vSnap server to a secondary vSnap server. This feature provides extra protection and configuration flexibility.
For more information, see Establishing a replication partnership for a vSnap server.
Create user roles with associated permission groups and resource groups
The role-based access control feature is enhanced to streamline the process of creating, revising, or discontinuing roles as the needs of the data protection enterprise evolve. Predefined roles are included for common tasks.
For more information, see Managing user access.
Register VADP Proxies through the user interface
The VADP proxy installation and update are enhanced. VADP proxies can now be registered by using the IBM Spectrum Protect Plus interface. Similarly, when updates to the VADP proxy software are made available, they can be installed by using the VADP proxy pane in IBM Spectrum Protect Plus. New configuration options enable you to set the transport modes to be used by the VADP proxy, the compression type, and the log retention schedule.
For more information, see Managing VADP backup proxies.
Run scripts before or after jobs
The ability to upload scripts to be run at the job level is supported. Scripts can be executed before or after backup and restore jobs run. Scripts enable you to extend the features and benefits of IBM Spectrum Protect Plus. Supported scripts include shell scripts for Linux-based machines and batch and PowerShell scripts for Windows-based machines.
For more information, see Configuring scripts for backup and restore operations.
Search for, filter, and expire recovery points
The capability to search the IBM Spectrum Protect Plus catalog to review available recovery points is enriched. You can filter recovery points by the associated backup job name and creation date. Additionally, you can expire recovery points by using the Catalog Retention pane. This feature enhances control of backup inventory and of recovery operations.
For more information, see Managing IBM Spectrum Protect Plus restore points.
Filter VMware resources based on tags
Tags allow you to attach category metadata to objects to make these objects more searchable, sortable, and filterable. In IBM Spectrum Protect Plus, tags are applied in vSphere, and the metadata gets assigned to virtual machines. Sorting, searching, or filtering by category is enabled.
For more information, see Backing up and restoring VMware data.
Filter audit logs by description and date
Filtering options are introduced for the IBM Spectrum Protect Plus audit log. With this feature, you can filter the audit log by specific action descriptions and date ranges during which the action was performed.
For more information, see Collecting audit logs for actions.
Exclude resources from backup job definitions
Virtual machine and application resources can now be excluded from backup jobs. The Exclude Resources option allows you to enter exclusion patterns and wildcards to remove specific resources from backup job definitions. This feature can help you improve backup efficiency and specificity.
For more information, see the individual hypervisor and database backup topics.
Protect non-volatile random-access memory (NVRAM) files
When you back up a VMware virtual machine, the backup now includes the NVRAM file, which stores the state of the BIOS software for the virtual machine.
View REST API development guides
Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) define the criteria and protocols underlying IBM Spectrum Protect Plus. These enable the various hardware and software components to interact. You can extend the capabilities of the IBM Spectrum Protect Plus application by developing scripts that utilize the APIs. To access the IBM Spectrum Protect Plus REST API Guide, click the user icon the user icon from any window in the user interface. A separate guide is provided for vSnap APIs.
Access the application through the IBM Cloud
IBM Spectrum Protect Plus is available as an IBM Cloud for VMware Solutions service, IBM Spectrum Protect Plus on IBM Cloud.
IBM Cloud for VMware Solutions enables you to integrate or migrate your on-premises VMware workloads to the IBM Cloud by using the scalable IBM Cloud infrastructure and VMware hybrid virtualization technology.
For more information, see IBM Spectrum Protect Plus on IBM Cloud.