IBM Spectrum Protect Admin key terms

The central software that stores client backups and archives in storage pools, tracks metadata in a database, enforces policy, and runs scheduled and administrative work. Clients and administrators connect to it over a network.

A program that connects to the Spectrum Protect server and runs administrative commands, either interactively or from scripts. Administrators use it to define policy, manage storage, and check server status.

Software installed on a workstation or file server that sends data to the Spectrum Protect server for backup, archive, restore, or retrieve. It also runs scheduled client work.

An optional component that lets a client write or read data directly on tape or disk devices without sending the data through the server. It is used in LAN-free configurations.

A text file read when the server starts that sets server-wide parameters such as communication ports, database paths, and performance limits. Many changes need a server restart.

A journal of changes made to the server database. The server uses it to roll back incomplete transactions and to recover the database to a consistent state after a failure.

A client machine registered on the server that owns backup and archive data. Each node has a name, a password, and an association with one policy domain.

A file on the client machine that sets the server address, communication options, include-exclude rules, and scheduler behavior. Server-side client option sets can override some of these settings.

A client service that keeps the scheduler running and can start other client services when the server prompts it. It allows scheduled backups to run when no user is logged on.

A group of client options defined on the server and associated with nodes. It centralizes configuration and overrides matching options in the local client options file.

A node that has been granted authority to act for another node, for example to back up or restore that node's data. Useful for centralized or agentless operations.

A logical group of client nodes that share the same backup and archive rules. Each domain contains policy sets, management classes, and copy groups.

A named collection of management classes inside a policy domain. Only one policy set is active at a time, and its rules govern the data of nodes in the domain.

A named set of backup and archive rules within a policy set. Each file is bound to a management class, which decides its retention and target storage pool.

The part of a management class that controls backup retention. It sets the number of versions kept, how long inactive versions remain, and the destination storage pool.

The part of a management class that controls archive retention. It sets how long archived copies are kept and which storage pool receives them.

The step that makes a policy set the current one for its domain. Client data follows the active set, so edits to management classes take effect only after activation.

A named collection of volumes that holds client data or copies of it. Primary pools keep active data, while copy pools keep duplicates for recovery.

A storage pool that holds duplicate copies of data from primary pools. It supports disaster recovery and lets you restore primary volumes that are lost or damaged.

A definition of a storage device type, such as a tape library, a FILE device, or server disk, including its format and mount limits. Storage pools are assigned to a device class.

A unit of storage media that belongs to a storage pool, such as a tape cartridge or a file in a FILE device class. Volumes hold client data or copies of server data.

A disk storage pool that stores data in containers and supports inline deduplication and compression. It is common for modern primary disk pools.

The server process that moves data from one storage pool to another, usually from disk to tape or from a full pool to a cheaper pool. It runs manually or on a schedule.

The process of recovering space on sequential volumes by copying the remaining active data to another volume and then freeing the original volume for reuse.

The default backup method. The server backs up only files that are new or changed since the last backup and keeps the versions, so clients send less data.

A backup of specific files whether or not they changed, requested with file specifications on the backup command. Often used before risky changes.

A long-term copy of files kept independently of backup versions. Archives follow archive copy group retention and are later retrieved rather than restored.

A collection of files and directories built from existing backups and written to portable media or a file. It lets data be restored on a system that cannot reach the server.

The server process that removes backup versions and archives whose retention has ended. It frees storage space and runs during normal server maintenance.

A schedule defined on the server that runs administrative commands or scripts at set times. It is commonly used for migration, reclamation, copy pool backups, and expiration.

A schedule in a policy domain that tells associated nodes when to run a backup, archive, or other client operation. Clients contact the server to learn when work is due.

The link that assigns a client node to a schedule, so the node runs that schedule's operations. A node can be associated with more than one schedule.

A server record of administrative commands, client sessions, and errors. Administrators query it to monitor work and to investigate problems.

A diagnostic feature that writes detailed internal processing information to files for analysis. Traces target specific components and are used briefly because they add overhead.

The interactive command interface of the running server process, used for administrative commands and for viewing messages as they appear. It is distinct from a remote admin client session.

An account defined on the server for administrative work. It has a password and one or more privilege classes that decide which commands the user may run.

A named set of permissions given to an administrator, such as system, policy, storage, operator, or node. Classes limit which commands an administrator can use.

Encryption done by the client before data leaves the machine, so the server stores only encrypted data. It requires careful key and password management.

Encryption of network traffic between clients or administrators and the server, configured with certificates. It protects credentials and data while they travel across the network.