Interfaces for NDMP operations

You can use several interfaces to run NDMP operations. You can schedule an NDMP operation by using the BACKUP NODE or RESTORE NODE command and by creating a schedule to process the command.

Client interfaces:
  • IBM Spectrum® Protect backup-archive command-line client (on a Microsoft Windows, 64-bit IBM® AIX®, or 64-bit Oracle Solaris system)
  • IBM Spectrum Protect backup-archive client graphical user interface (GUI)
Restriction: A backup-archive client GUI that is installed on an AIX, Solaris, or Windows operating system can be used for NDMP operations such as backing up and restoring images. However, NDMP file-level restore operations are available only on Windows operating systems.
Server interfaces:
  • Server console
  • Command line on the administrative client
    Tip: All examples for NDMP operations use server commands.

The backup-archive client GUI displays the file systems of the NAS file server in a graphical view. The client function is not required, but you can use the client interfaces for NDMP operations. For file-level restore operations, the preferred method is to use the backup-archive client GUI. For more information about file-level restore operations, see File-level backup and restore for NDMP operations. For instructions about using the backup-archive client GUI to restore data, see Restoring data by using the backup-archive client GUI.

IBM Spectrum Protect prompts you for an administrator ID and password when you complete NDMP functions by using either of the client interfaces. For more information about installing and activating client interfaces, see Installing the backup-archive clients.

To use the IBM Spectrum Protect backup-archive command-line client or GUI for NAS operations, the file system names on the NAS device must have a forward slash (/) as the first character. This restriction does not affect NAS operations that are initiated from the IBM Spectrum Protect server command line.