IBM Support

Hardware and Software Requirements: Data Protection for VMware Version 7.1

Preventive Service Planning


Abstract

This document details the Hardware and Software requirements for Tivoli Storage Manager for Virtual Environments: Data Protection for VMware 7.1.

Content

The Data Protection for VMware requirements vary by high level functional component. Data Protection for VMware has the following high level functional components:

  • Data Protection for VMware GUI
  • Data Mover
  • Recovery Agent


Note:
All Data Protection for VMware functional components must be at the same Fix Pack level. Within a given Fix Pack level, the interim fix level can differ.

This document is divided into linked sections for ease of navigation. You may use the links below to jump to the desired section of the document.

Supported VMware vSphere versions

Supported VMware vCloud Director versions

Data Protection for VMware GUI supported operating systems
Data Mover supported operating systems
Recovery Agent & Recovery Agent Command Line Interface supported operating systems
Additional software requirements and limitations

Hardware requirements for Data Protection for VMware

Where to download Tivoli Storage Manager for Virtual Environments 7.1.0

Hardware and Software requirements for other releases of Data Protection for VMware



Supported VMware vSphere versions

The following VMware vSphere versions are supported:
  • vSphere 5.1
  • vSphere 5.5
Attention: ESXi 5.1 hosts must be at Update 3 or newer patch or update level. ESXi 5.5 hosts must be at Patch 4 or newer patch or update level. These prerequisite levels address a critical VMware Changed Block Tracking (CBT) integrity issue described in VMware KB 2090639.

Note:
  1. 05/27/2014 As per APAR IT01962: it indicated that the vSphere 5.0 is supported.
    However, vCenter 5.0 is not supported with the 7.1 and newer interim fixes and Fix Packs.
    This is due to a limitation associated with the VMware VDDK included in the Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) Backup-Archive Client. The TSM Backup-Archive Client is separately installed prerequisite software which enables the Data Protection for VMware Data Mover functions.
  2. To view supported vSphere and ESXi host versions, please refer to the following tech note: "Tivoli Storage Manager for Virtual Environments: Data Protection for VMware Data Mover compatibility guide with VMware's Virtual Disk Development Kit"http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21672351
  3. Full VM Instant Restore and Instant Access is only supported with vSphere 5.1 and vSphere 5.5.



Supported VMware vCloud Director versions

The following VMware vCloud Director versions are supported:
  • vCloud Director 5.1
  • vCloud Director 5.5



Data Protection for VMware GUI supported operating systems

This functional component integrates the product with the VMware vSphere client in order to back up, restore, and manage virtual machines in the VMware vCenter and includes the Data Protection for VMware command-line interface.

Attention: Connection to the vCenter Server is required to install the Data Protection for VMware vSphere GUI. If your vCenter Server uses an RSA key with an encryption length greater than 2048 bits, then before installing the Data Protection for VMware vSphere GUI, you must download and install the unrestricted JCE policy files. The instructions are in technote: Installing the Data Protection for VMware GUI: Download unrestricted SDK JCE files. You do not need to install these files if your RSA key encryption length is 2048 bits or less.

The supported operating systems by platform are detailed below.


Linux x86_64 platform

The following operating systems are supported for the Data Protection for VMware GUI on the Linux x86_64 platform.
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5 Update 6, and later maintenance levels and mod levels: Desktop and Advanced Platform Editions
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6, and later maintenance levels and mod levels: Server Edition
  • SUSE Enterprise Linux 11, and later mod levels and Fix Packs: Server Editions


Windows x64 platform

The following operating systems are supported for the Data Protection for VMware GUI on the Windows x64 platform:
  • Windows Server 2008, and later maintenance levels: Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter Editions
  • Windows Server 2008 R21, and later maintenance levels: Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter Editions
  • Windows Server 20122 Essentials, Standard, and Datacenter Editions
Note:
  1. 05/27/2014 As per APAR IT01962:
    the Windows Server 2008 R2 support statement indicated that the following editions are supported: Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Storage Server, Storage Server R2, Small Business Server, Essential Business Server, and Web Editions
    However, only the following editions are actually supported: Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter Editions
  2. Data Protection for VMware GUI provides support for Windows Storage Server 2012 for functionality that is also available and supported by the Data Protection for VMware GUI on the Windows Server 2012 Editions.


Data Mover supported operating systems

The Data Mover is installed on the vStorage Backup Server and enables off-host block level incremental backups. This function is enabled by the installation of the Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) Backup-Archive Client 7.1.0, and later maintenance levels and Fix Packs. The TSM Backup-Archive Client is a separate prerequisite and is included as a convenience in the Data Protection for VMware 7.1 installation package. For Windows it may optionally be installed during TSM for Virtual Environments installation. The TSM Backup-Archive Client may also be downloaded independently - see below for details on additional software requirements and limitations.

Though the TSM Backup-Archive Client supports a wide variety of operating systems, only a subset of those operating systems are supported with TSM for Virtual Environments.
  • The 7.1.0 level of the TSM Backup-Archive client, and later Interim fixes of this Fix Pack, is required with Data Protection for VMware 7.1.

WARNING:
The TSM Client API 7.1.0 is also a prerequisite of Data Protection for VMware 7.1.0 and on Windows it is automatically installed as a part of the Data Protection for VMware 7.1.0 installation process. The TSM Backup-Archive Client 7.1.0 is a prerequisite to using the Data Mover function for off-host block level incremental backups. The TSM Backup-Archive Client and TSM Client API levels must remain in sync in your complete environment. Therefore, future updates to either the TSM Backup-Archive Client or the TSM Client API require the other component to be updated at the same time. I.e. if you install a new Fix Pack level of the TSM Backup-Archive client, you need to upgrade the TSM Client API to the exact same level on your Data Protection for VMware systems and vice versa. See also "Upgrading to Tivoli Storage Manager for Virtual Environments Version 7.1"

The VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK) version 5.5 runtime files are used for backing up virtual machines by the Data Mover.
Data Mover / TSM Backup-Archive Client with Data Protection for VMware supports the operating systems listed below, as long as they are also supported by VDDK version 5.5.
For updates on supported OSes, known issues and limitations regarding VDDK 5.5 see the VMware web site.

The Data Protection for VMware Data Mover utilizes VMware's Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK) API's to open, close, read and write virtual disk data (VMDKs). To determine the level of VDDK used in each level of Data Protection for VMware, as well as compatible ESX/ESXi builds supported by the VDDK level, please refer to the tech note:

    Tivoli Storage Manager for Virtual Environments: Data Protection for VMware Data Mover compatibility guide with VMware's Virtual Disk Development Kit
located here http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21672351


The supported operating systems by platform for the Data Mover / TSM Backup-Archive Client with Data Protection for VMware are detailed below.


Linux x86_64 platform

The following operating systems are supported for the Data Mover on the Linux x86_64 platform:
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5 Update 9: Desktop and Advanced Platform Editions
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6 Update 2 and Update 3: Client and Server Editions
  • SUSE Enterprise Linux 11 SP2: Desktop and Server Editions


Windows x64 platform

The following operating systems are supported for the Data Mover on the Windows x64 platform:
  • Windows Server 2008 R2: Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Storage Server, Storage Server R2, Small Business Server, Essential Business Server, and Web Editions
  • Windows Server 2012 Essentials, Standard, and Datacenter Editions

Note: Data Mover provides support for Windows Storage Server 2012 for functionality that is also available and supported by Data mover on the Windows Server 2012 Editions.



Recovery Agent supported operating systems

This function provides virtual mount and instant restore capabilities. The supported operating systems by platform are detailed below.


Linux x86_64 Platform

The following operating systems are supported for the Recovery Agent on the Linux x86_64 platform:
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 51 Update 2, and later maintenance levels and mod levels: Desktop and Advanced Platform Editions
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 61, and later maintenance levels and mod levels: Client and Server Editions
  • SUSE Enterprise Linux 11, and later maintenance levels and mod levels: Desktop and Server Editions

Note:
  1. Requires the following minimum packages and their dependencies:
    • compat-db-4.6.21-15
    • libXp-1.0.0-15.1
    • libXmu-1.0.5-1
    • libXtst-1.0.99.2-3
    • pam-1.1.1-4
    • libXft-2.1.13-4.1
    • gtk2-2.18.9-4
    • gtk2-engines-2.18.4-5

The Recovery Agent Command Line Interface (CLI) is not supported on the Linux x86_64 platform.

Windows x86 Platform

The following operating systems are supported for the Recovery Agent on the Windows x86 platform:
  • Windows Server 2008 SP1, and later maintenance levels: Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Storage Server, Storage Server R2, Small Business Server, Essential Business Server, and Web Editions
  • Windows 7, and later maintenance levels: Enterprise, Home Premium, Professional, Starter, and Ultimate Editions
  • Windows 8, Professional and Enterprise Editions
  • Windows 8.1, Professional and Enterprise Editions

Note: If you use Active Directory with Microsoft Windows 2008 or Microsoft Windows 2008 R2, install the hot fix associated with Microsoft Knowledge Base article 970770 at:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;970770


Windows x64 Platform

The following operating systems are supported for the Recovery Agent on the Windows x64 platform:
  • Windows Server 20081 SP1, and later maintenance levels: Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Storage Server, Storage Server R2, Small Business Server, Essential Business Server, and Web Editions
  • Windows Server 2008 R21, and later maintenance levels: Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Storage Server, Storage Server R2, Small Business Server, Essential Business Server, and Web Editions
  • Windows 7, and later maintenance levels: Enterprise, Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate Editions
  • Windows 8, Professional and Enterprise Editions
  • Windows 8.1, Professional and Enterprise Editions
  • Windows Server 20122 Essentials, Standard, and Datacenter Editions
  • Windows Server 2012 R22 Essentials, Standard, and Datacenter Editions

Notes:
  1. If you use Active Directory with Microsoft Windows 2008 or Microsoft Windows 2008 R2, install the hot fix associated with Microsoft Knowledge Base article 970770 at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;970770
  2. Recovery Agent & Recovery Agent Command Line Interface plug-in provides support for Windows Storage Server 2012 for functionality that is also available and supported by Recovery Agent & Recovery Agent Command Line Interface on the Windows Server 2012 Editions.



Additional software requirements and limitations

The following additional software is required to use Data Protection for VMware:
  • Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM Server) 6.2 and later interim fixes and Fix Packs
  • Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM Server) 6.3 and later interim fixes and Fix Packs
  • Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM Server) 7.1 and later interim fixes and Fix Packs


    • TIP: TSM Client/API and Server compatibility information is located in the IBM Tivoli Storage Manager Server/Client Compatibility and Upgrade Considerations tech note located here:
    http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21053218

  • Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) Server 6.3.4, and later maintenance levels, Fix Packs, releases, and versions is required for use of following features that are new to Data Protection for VMware 7.1:
    • Show VMs with a backup report
    • Show failures from the most recent backup report
    • Show all backup failures report
    • Show backup history view
    • Show all history view
    • Show failed VMs view
    • Show all VMs view

  • Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) Server 7.1.0, and later maintenance levels, Fix Packs, releases, and versions is required for use of the following features that are new to Data Protection for VMware 7.1:
    • Application protection reporting

  • The Recovery Agent and Data Protection for VMware GUI require the following supporting applications on Linux:
    • Perl version 5
    • mdadm 2.6 tool for managing Linux Software RAID arrays
    • iSCSI Initiator 6.2 for Linux package
    • lsscsi command version 0.23
    • iscsiadm utility 0.10
    • Secure Shell (SSH) client for Linux 0.1

  • The following browsers are supported with the Data Protection for VMware GUI
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 9 or 10 on Windows
      Microsoft Internet Explorer version 9 or 10 must be installed on the system where the GUI will be launched.
    • Google Chrome 13 or later on Windows and Linux
    • Mozilla Firefox 10 Extended Service Release or later on Windows and Linux



Hardware requirements for Data Protection for VMware

Hardware requirements vary and depend on the following items:
  • Number of protected servers
  • Number of protected volumes
  • Data set sizes
  • LAN and SAN connectivity

The following table describes the hardware requirements that are needed to install Data Protection for VMware.

Component Minimal requirement Preferred
System IntelPentium D 3 GHz Dual Core processor or compatibleNot applicable
Memory 2 GB RAM, 2 GB virtual
address space		Not applicable
Available hard disk200 MB for 'Documents and
Settings' folder		2 GB
NIC Card 1 NIC - 100 Mbps 1 NIC - 1 Gbps

Where to download Tivoli Storage Manager for Virtual Environments 7.1.0

The Tivoli Storage Manager for Virtual Environments download document provides information about how and where to obtain the Tivoli Storage Manager for Virtual Environments 7.1 package. The information is located at: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg24035391

TIP: Data Protection for VMware 7.1.0 is a component of Tivoli Storage Manager for Virtual Environments 7.1.0


Hardware and Software requirements for other releases of Data Protection for VMware

The Hardware and Software requirements for other releases and Fix Packs of Data Protection for VMware are located in the "Tivoli Storage Manager for Virtual Environments - All Requirements Doc" located at:
http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21505139

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Document Information

Modified date:
17 June 2018

UID

swg21652843

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