Preparing to configure cloud-container storage pools for Microsoft Azure (off premises)

Before you configure cloud-container storage pools to use the Microsoft Azure cloud computing system, you must obtain information for the configuration process from Microsoft.

About this task

IBM Spectrum® Protect supports the following Azure storage tiers:
  • Hot storage tier for data that is accessed frequently
  • Cool storage tier for data that is accessed less frequently

You can use a cool storage tier for cost-effective, long-term storage. However, it is more costly to restore data from a cool storage tier than from a hot storage tier.

Procedure

  1. Sign up for a Microsoft Azure account by going to the Azure portal and creating an account.
  2. Create a storage account. Typically, select the location that is nearest to your IBM Spectrum Protect server for the storage account location.
  3. Obtain your Azure credentials:
    1. Go to the Azure portal and click Storage accounts.
    2. Open the new storage account, go to the container section of the Blob Service pane, and record the blob service endpoint value so that you can use it when you configure storage pools. The blob service endpoint looks like these examples: https://name .blob.core.windows.net and http://name .blob.core.windows.net.
    3. Create a shared access signature (SAS) token by opening the Shared access signature tab and completing the fields . Ensure that the Allowed services section includes Blob and that the Allowed resource types section includes Container and Object. Ensure that the SAS token has read, write, delete, list, add, and create permissions. Click Generate SAS.
    4. Record the SAS token value so that you can use it when you configure storage pools. IBM Spectrum Protect does not monitor the SAS token expiration date, so ensure that you select a date that best suits your needs. If the token expires, the IBM Spectrum Protect server loses access to the storage account until you provide a new SAS token.
      Tip: If you would like to less frequently update the SAS token, set an expiration date that is several years away. Also, ensure that you verify the start date and time fields.
  4. If you plan to configure storage pools by using the Add Storage Pool wizard in the Operations Center, use the following values for the parameters:
    • Cloud type: Azure
    • SAS token: SAS_token_value. Look for a string that is similar to this example:
      ?sv=2016-05-31&ss=b&srt=sco&sp=rwdlac&se=2017-04-05T18:26:
12Z&st=2017-04-05T10:26:12Z&spr=https&sig=
XUangS%2FcXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXELsuWp106Cmq7o%3D
    • Blob service endpoint: Specify the blob service endpoint from your Azure storage account, for example, https://name .blob.core.windows.net or http://name .blob.core.windows.net.
  5. If you plan to configure storage pools by using the DEFINE STGPOOL command, use the following values for the command parameters:
    • CLOUDTYPE: Azure
    • PASSWORD: SAS_token_value. Look for a string that is similar to this example:
      ?sv=2016-05-31&ss=b&srt=sco&sp=rwdlac&se=2017-04-05T18:26:
12Z&st=2017-04-05T10:26:12Z&spr=https&sig=
XUangS%2FcXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXELsuWp106Cmq7o%3D
    • CLOUDURL: Specify the blob service endpoint from your Azure storage account, for example, https://name .blob.core.windows.net or http://name .blob.core.windows.net.

What to do next

Configure cloud-container storage pools for Azure by following the instructions in Configuring a cloud-container storage pool for data storage.