Originally posted by: Nils Haustein
In this blog article I’d like to share news about Spectrum Protect for Data Retention that was formerly known as System Storage Archive Manager (SSAM) including new functions and solutions architectures.
In May of 2017 Spectrum Protect for Data Retention version 8.1 had been assessed for compliance according to US SEC 17a-4(f), German and Swiss trade and tax laws by a well-known auditor [1]. Spectrum Protect for Data Retention 8.1 replaces System Storage Archive Manager (SSAM) version 6.3 that had been certified in 2013 and will face end of support soon.
Spectrum Protect for Data Retention is a special version of Spectrum Protect that provides Write-Once-Read-Many (WORM) storage capabilities. As storage software it allows building software defined compliant archive storage solutions. It supports many Spectrum Protect server functions (except of node replication). Picture 1 shows a software defined solution with Spectrum Protect for Data Retention running on a server and providing archiving services to applications via the TSM API. The archived data is securely stored on storage media of your choice such as flash, disk, tape or cloud storage.
Picture 1: Software defined solution Spectrum Protect for Data Retention solution
The Spectrum Protect for Data Retention server integrates with a variety of applications including IBM Filenet P8 and IS, IBM Content Manager and IBM Content Manager OnDemand. The Spectrum Protect for Data Retention 8.1 server is compatible with a range of Spectrum Protect API client versions including 6.3.x, 7.1 and 8.1 [2]. Please note that with the API client version 8.1 the dsmRenameObj() call will no longer be supported by the version 8.1 server (and above).
In addition to the basic WORM function the auditor also assessed the use of container pools (directory and cloud) as well as container pool protection methods. Container pools allow in-line deduplication of data and can store data in local directories provided by disk systems (on-premises) or in the cloud (on-premises or off-premises). This facilitates hybrid cloud scenarios with the Spectrum Protect for Data Retention server on-premises stores the archived in a cloud storage pool that can be off-premises. Picture 2 shows a Spectrum Protect for Data Retention server that stores the archived data in a cloud pool. Different cloud storage provider are supported [4], conformity to regulations must be assured by the cloud storage provider.
Picture 2: Hybrid Cloud solution with Spectrum Protect for Data Retention
Directory container pools can also be replicated to another server - that can also be off-premises - or copied to local tape using the protect storage pools function. The container storage systems (directory and cloud) have not been assessed, only the capability of Spectrum Protect for Data Retention to use these types of storage pools for storing archived data subject for compliance.
With the assessment of version 8.1 we established a continued roadmap for System Storage Archive Manager 6.3 that will reach end of support soon. The migration path from SSAM 6.3 to Spectrum Protect for Data Retention 8.1 on the same operating system is a simple Spectrum Protect software upgrade. If 8.1 is required to run on a different operating system consider the Spectrum Protect cross-platform migration capabilities [3]. Clients running SSAM 6.3.x today should consider upgrading to version 8.1 and benefit from the new functionality in Spectrum Protect for Data Retention 8.1.
Last but not least, Spectrum Protect for Data Retention 8.1 can also be used as target for migrating DR550, IA or SSAM 5.x systems using the export server method. IBM Systems Lab Services provides professional services for data migration as well as solution design and implementation of Spectrum Protect for Data Retention solutions. If you have questions or require help please contact the author of this blog article.
References:
[1] Assessment report for Spectrum Protect for Data Retention version 8.1
http://www.kpmg.de/bescheinigungen/RequestReport.aspx?56B00E998BA14B31AF2E0F0FB63F0034
[2] Spectrum Protect client and server compatibility
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=663&context=SSGSG7&q1=client+server+compatibility&uid=swg21053218&loc=en_US&cs=utf-8&lang=en
[3] Cross platform migration
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/community/wikis/home?lang=en#!/wiki/Tivoli%20Storage%20Manager/page/Migrating%20Tivoli%20Storage%20Manager%20Servers%20from%20one%20Operating%20System%20to%20another
[4] Cloud storage providers
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/community/wikis/home?lang=en#!/wiki/Tivoli%20Storage%20Manager/page/Cloud-container%20storage%20pools%20FAQs