Imagine you're managing a data protection environment with hundreds or even thousands of backup-archive (B/A) clients—spanning across Windows, Linux, macOS, and even Solaris. Each time a client update is released, your team spends days, maybe weeks, manually deploying updates node by node. Sound familiar?
That’s exactly the kind of challenge IBM Storage Protect set out to solve with the Automatic Deployment feature for B/A clients.
Why Automatic Deployment?
Introduced in version 6.4.3, this feature was built for scale and simplicity. It enables:
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Seamless, scheduled upgrades of multiple clients at once
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Support for all major operating systems, from Windows to Unix/Linux and beyond
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Choice of interface—either via command-line or the intuitive Operations Center GUI (recommended for ease of use)
This capability is a game changer for enterprises that want to reduce manual overhead and eliminate update inconsistencies across their backup infrastructure.
What It Can Do
With automatic deployment, you can:
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View and download the latest client updates
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Choose the right maintenance level for your environment
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Distribute updates across your infrastructure with just a few clicks
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Monitor deployment status in real-time
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Retry failed deployments
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Cancel or reschedule update jobs as needed
Whether you're managing 50 clients or 5,000, the process is consistent, repeatable, and scalable.
Important Notes
To make the most of this feature, keep these requirements in mind:
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The B/A client must already be at version 6.4.3 or higher
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Windows cluster environments are not supported
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Only Backup-Archive clients are included—other components like Storage Agents are not
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Downgrades are not supported (e.g., 8.1.8 to 8.1.7)
Under the Hood
The auto-deployment framework is built with several essential components:
- Here is the workflow
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Client deployment catalog: A centralized JSON index of available updates
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Deployment scripts and utilities
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Client update packages and exported volumes
Everything you need can be retrieved from the official IBM repository at:
http://ftp.software.ibm.com/storage/tivoli-storage-management/catalog/client/catalog.json
Deployment Options
Admins can choose between:
Check out the detailed walkthrough in the deployment demo PDF.
Real Efficiency, Real Results
For organizations managing hundreds of client nodes, the automatic deployment feature isn’t just a convenience—it’s a necessity. It ensures consistency, saves administrative time, and reduces human error.
If your team is still handling upgrades manually, now’s the time to evolve.
Explore more at IBM.com/Storage
Do let me know your comments/suggestions/feedback.
Reviewers/contributors: @PALLAVI SINGH @Girish Dadge @Amit Prajapati
Thanks,
Smita