IBM Storage Protect vs. TBMR

Tivoli does well running file-level backups, but Exchange is clunky and restores are really hard. With no SharePoint agent, if you use SharePoint you will need another product like AvePoint DocAve. The web-based GUI console is MUCH improved over earlier versions, but you will still need to be a command-line guru to make Tivoli do everything, and local (node) config files still rule. This product was originally ported from Unix and retains may of its 'nix roots.

Incentivized

During the Sandy storm, I was told to get over 200 servers ready in case we declare a disaster. I was able to spin over 190 servers in five days. I recovered servers using TBMR recovery. I restored each server using TBMR. After the server was restored at Sungard, I powered on the server without NIC to prevent a production issue with duplicate a name or IP. I validated each server after restore to make sure OS is working correctly and all data had been restored. I did not restore images due to the size of storage. Overall, it worked out and we were ready before Sandy struck. We did not go into disaster mode, but my management was impressed that this product worked as described.

• Tight integration with Db2. As an IBM product, it works seamlessly with Db2. You can query what is stored in TSM via Db2 itself. You can also use DB scripts to maintain the items being stored there.
• Like most of its competitors, Tivoli handles deduplication well.
• Provides a GUI for browsing and maintaining items stored there. I rarely use this feature, due to the next item I will post:
• Command-line interface directly from my Db2 database servers.
• Both client and server-side deduplication, compression and encryption are available.
• If the requirements are zLinux and DB2 support then it's the most solid solution.
• Can be complex to implement, but once up and running, it is rock-solid and immensely scalable.
• Scalability is huge. Can be added onto easily.

Incentivized

• It works 99.9% all the time if you setup correctly. In some instance there was issue was disk was not able to read partition. I called support and upload the log file. They told me during recovery point to new modify file instead of reading from backup configuration. It work and able to recover quickly
• The support is really great. They are always ready to help in any situation.
• During Sandy storm, we mentioned our challenges. They told us there will two support engineer will be stand by for support any time. Just let them know when you need support.
• Support is staff is very knowledgeable. They willing to go extra mile all the time

• Deployment and configuration is not easy for an unexperienced IBM Spectrum Protect administrator
• Operations center uses a lot of data and needs a lot of storage for larger environments
• Have not seen a redbook about it in the past 10 years

• There have been so bugs in the software. They provided me the next day with a temporary fix. In the next release, they will fix the bug permanenly.
• As far as we use it, I do not see too much on functionality.
• Setup is unique in every organization. It has been working well so far.

Not required, company closed. TSM is not used in my current role at my current job.

Incentivized

It is suitable for a huge part of our organisation, supports many operating systems (including Windows, Linux and IBM AIX), supports many databases - also for online backups (like Oracle, Db2 and SAP HANA), has an Operational Center for control, command-line and GUI for backup/restore. It just works well, once setup correctly.

Incentivized

The few times we've called for support we eventually got an answer, but it's IBM and a very big company and getting to a support agent is hard.

Incentivized

Support is great. They go beyond the normal service. I called a few times in the middle of the night for support. I was not able to recover some machines. They called back with half an hour and worked through it with me. They wanted to make sure I was able to recover the server. They are always willing to help.

We have been using TSM (former ADSM), rebranded Spectrum Protect and now rebranded Storage Protect a long time already. The product served us well. Last time we compared it to competitors we found they all had something lacking. And switching backup suites is no small task if there is data you need to keep 5, 7 or 10 years anyway. Commvault gets close, but doesn't match all features.

Incentivized

When I started TSM/Spectrum Protect over 13 years ago, disaster recovery was not funded to much. Once all regulatory requirements and auditing became more visible, management decided to start disaster recovery. I looked into one other BMR product. It required lots of manual processes to build WinPE iso images. I needed to build ISO images for each version of the TSM Client. At that time, we had over 350 Windows and Linux servers. There were over 10 different TSM Clients running. It was difficult to maintain all the different ISOs. I am only one admin doing the backup job and other duties. It was not possible to keep. I started to shop around for a different BMR solution for TSM. I came across Cristie. We did POC testing for 1 month. We covered HP physical servers to IBM hardware and vice versa. It worked without any issue. We also tried to recover HP physical servers from DL360 to DL380 and others. It works every time. At that time my management got assurance that this is a good product for investment. We started with 300 licenses. Now we have over 200 Physical and 600 virtual license

• It can be used as a disaster recovery solution when you have the right configuration (either replication or tape copies in a safe location). This way it can be a lifesaver for any company.
• It can bring back the information you need if you are hit by ransomeware.
• It is also needed if you are accounting for user error, sometimes people delete the files they need by accident and without a backup solution they are out of luck

Incentivized

• As of today, we are recovering servers without any issue. There is no 100% success. Some servers backup corrupted data and are restored the same way. It is called Garbage in Garbage out. So far management wants to continue the use of this product.
• My management wants to use TBMR or any other backup.
• Every year we are buying more licenses.