Data Protection Software

The method backup software uses to calculate storage license capacity can vary depending on the software and the vendor. However, in general, the license capacity is based on the usable storage after deduplication and compression, as this is the storage required to store the backup data.

Some backup software vendors may use the front-end capacity (i.e., the amount of storage required before deduplication and compression) to estimate the needed usable storage. However, this is different from the basis for licensing capacity.

Backup software licensing can be complex. The license capacity may depend on the number of protected servers, backup agents, backup jobs, or the data being backed up. Therefore, reviewing the licensing agreement and consulting with the vendor is essential to ensure you understand the license capacity and any associated costs.

How has the license been calculated in IBM backup software? Is it estimated/calculated frontend client-based or backend based on the storage? Is it based on the used capacity of the workloads in production storage (used size not provisioned) before dedupe and compression? For example, if I take 10TB client-based files after deduplication and compression is 5TB on the appliance storage, would the license cost be based on 10TB or 5TB? Based on the above concerns, what would you recommend when selecting backup software?

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Fadi SODAH
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Hi Fadi,

Form what I have seen, Spectrum Protect is licensed by PVU, Back End Capacity and Front End capacity.
PVU
https://www.ibm.com/software/passportadvantage/pvu_licensing_for_customers.html
>requires ILMT reporting
To get accurate capacity for BE or FE I recommend running dedupe stats as a storage rule.
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/spectrum-protect/8.1.7?topic=commands-generate-dedupstats-generate-data-deduplication-statistics
The default is generally Back End and that is capacity post data reduction is applied.
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-spectrum-protect-backend-capacity-based-licensing-programs-frequently-asked-questions
Always ensure you speak to an IBM representative or partner to ensure you stay complaint.
The decision on the licensing model will require understanding the source workload and retention requirements.

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Ivor-John Ross
Service Desk Analyst
Tectrade
Godalming
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Original Message:
Sent: Fri April 28, 2023 01:42 PM
From: Fadi SODAH
Subject: Data backup usable storage space.

The method backup software uses to calculate storage license capacity can vary depending on the software and the vendor. However, in general, the license capacity is based on the usable storage after deduplication and compression, as this is the storage required to store the backup data.

Some backup software vendors may use the front-end capacity (i.e., the amount of storage required before deduplication and compression) to estimate the needed usable storage. However, this is different from the basis for licensing capacity.

Backup software licensing can be complex. The license capacity may depend on the number of protected servers, backup agents, backup jobs, or the data being backed up. Therefore, reviewing the licensing agreement and consulting with the vendor is essential to ensure you understand the license capacity and any associated costs.

How has the license been calculated in IBM backup software? Is it estimated/calculated frontend client-based or backend based on the storage? Is it based on the used capacity of the workloads in production storage (used size not provisioned) before dedupe and compression? For example, if I take 10TB client-based files after deduplication and compression is 5TB on the appliance storage, would the license cost be based on 10TB or 5TB? Based on the above concerns, what would you recommend when selecting backup software?

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Fadi SODAH
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