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Tivoli Storage Manager Using the Application Program Interface


Glossary

Term definitions in this glossary pertain to the TSM library. If you do not find a term you are looking for, you can refer to the following publications:

This glossary might include terms and definitions from:

A

absolute
A copy group mode value that indicates a file is considered for incremental backup even though the file has not changed since the last time it was backed up. See mode. Contrast with modified.

active policy set
The policy set within a policy domain that contains the most recently activated policy. This policy set is used by all client nodes assigned to the current policy domain. See policy set.

active version
The most recent backup copy of a file stored in TSM storage for a file that currently exists on a file server or workstation. An active version remains active and exempt from deletion until:

administrative client
A program that runs on a file server, workstation, or mainframe. This program lets administrators monitor and control TSM servers using TSM administrator commands. Contrast with backup-archive client.

administrator
A user who is registered to the server as an administrator. Administrators may possess one or more privilege classes. Administrators can use the administrative client to enter TSM server commands and queries according to their privileges.

aggregate data transfer rate
Dividing the total number of bytes transferred by the elapsed processing time calculates the data transfer rate.

archive
A function permitting users to copy one or more files to a long-term storage device. Archive copies can:

Contrast with retrieve.

archive copy
A file or group of files residing in an archive storage pool in TSM storage.

archive copy group
A policy object containing attributes that control the generation, destination, and expiration of archived files. The archive copy group belongs to a management class.

archive retention grace period
The number of days TSM retains an archived copy when the server is unable to rebind the file to an appropriate management class.

authentication
The process of checking and authorizing a user's password before permitting user access to the TSM server. An administrator with system privilege can enable or disable authentication.

authorization rule
A specification permitting another user to either restore or retrieve a user's files from TSM storage.

B

backup
A function permitting users to copy one or more files to a storage pool to protect against data loss. Contrast with restore.

backup-archive client
A program that runs on a file server, PC, or workstation and provides a means for TSM users to back up, archive, restore, and retrieve files. Contrast with administrative client.

backup copy group
A policy object that contains attributes controlling the generation, destination, and expiration of backup files. The backup copy group belongs to a management class.

backup retention grace period
The number of days TSM retains a backup version when the server is unable to rebind the file to an appropriate management class.

backup version
A backed up file, directory, or file space that resides in a backup storage pool in TSM storage. The active version is the most recent backup version. See active version and inactive version.

binding
The process of associating a file with a management class name.

C

central scheduling
A function permitting an administrator to schedule backup and archive operations from a central location. Operations can be scheduled on a periodic basis or on an explicit date.

client
A program running on a file server, PC, workstation, or terminal that requests services of another program called the server. There are two types of TSM clients: administrative and backup-archive. See administrative client and backup-archive client.

client domain
The set of drives, file systems, or volumes selected by a user for processing during a backup or archive operation.

client node
A file server or workstation registered with the server on which the backup-archive client program is installed.

client polling
A client and server communication technique where the client node queries the server for scheduled work.

client/server
A communications network architecture in which one or more programs (clients) request computing or data services from another program (the server).

closed registration
A registration process in which an TSM administrator must register workstations as client nodes with the server. Contrast with open registration.

command line interface
A type of user interface where commands are specified on the command line. Contrast with graphical user interface.

communication method
The method by which a client and server exchange information. The API can use the same communication methods as the Backup-Archive client. See Systems Network Architecture Logical Unit 6.2, and Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.

communication protocol
A set of defined interfaces that permits computers to communicate with each other.

copy group
A policy object that contains attributes that control backup and archive file:

Backup and archive copy groups belong to management classes. See frequency, destination, mode, retention, serialization, and version.

CPIC
Common Programming Interface Communications.

D

data management application program interface (DMAPI)
A set of functions and semantics that can monitor events on files and manage and maintain the data in a file. In a TSM environment, a DMAPI uses events to notify data management applications about operations on files, stores arbitrary attribute information with a file, supports managed regions in a file, and uses DMAPI access rights to control access to a file object.

default management class
A management class assigned to a policy set. This class is used to govern backed up or archived files when a user does not explicitly associate a file with a specific management class through the include-exclude list.

destination
A copy group attribute that specifies the storage pool in which to back up or archive a file. At installation, TSM provides two storage destinations named backuppool and archivepool.

domain
See policy domain or client domain.

drag
Move the mouse while holding down the mouse button, thus moving the selected object.

drag-and-drop
Move (drag) an object on top of another object and release the mouse button, thus relocating the object.

dsm.opt file
See options file. . Also called client options file.

dynamic
A copy group serialization value that specifies TSM accept the first attempt to back up or archive an object, regardless of any changes made during backup or archive processing. See serialization. Contrast with shared dynamic, shared static, and static.

E

error log
A text file written on disk that contains TSM processing error messages. These errors are detected and saved by the TSM server.

exclude
The process of identifying files in an include-exclude list. This process prevents the files from being backed up or migrated whenever a user or schedule enters an incremental or selective backup operation.

expiration
The process in which files are identified for deletion because their expiration date or retention period has passed. Backed up or archived files are marked for deletion based on the criteria defined in the backup or archive copy group.

F

file server
A dedicated computer and its peripheral storage devices connected to a local area network that stores both programs and files shared by users on the network.

file space
A logical space on the TSM server that contains a group of files. In TSM, users can restore, retrieve, or delete file spaces from TSM storage. A file space for systems:

frequency
A copy group attribute that specifies the minimum interval, in days, between incremental backups.

fuzzy backup
A backup version of a file that might not accurately reflect what is currently in the file because the file was backed up at the same time as it was being modified.

fuzzy copy
An archive copy of a file that might not accurately reflect what is currently in the file because TSM archived the file while the file was being modified.

G

generate password
Processing that stores a new password in an encrypted password file when the old password expires. Automatic generation of a password prevents password prompting. Password generation can be set in the options file (passwordaccess option). See options file.

gigabyte (GB)
(1) One billion (109) bytes. (2) When referring to memory capacity, 1 073 741 824 in decimal notation.

graphical user interface (GUI)
A user interface consisting of a visual metaphor representing a real-world scene, often looks like a desktop. A graphical user interface includes:

Contrast with command line interface. See windowed interface.

GUI
Graphical user interface.

H

hierarchical storage management client
A program that runs on a workstation or file server to provide space management services. The hierarchical storage management client automatically migrates eligible files to TSM storage to maintain specific levels of free space on local file systems. Automatic recalls are made for migrated files when they are accessed. Users are also permitted to migrate and recall specific files.

HSM
Hierarchical Storage Management.

I

inactive version
A copy of a backup file in TSM storage that either is not the most recent version, or the corresponding original file was deleted from the client file system. Inactive backup versions are eligible for expiration according to the management class assigned to the file.

include-exclude file
A file containing statements to determine the files to back up and the associated management classes to use for backup or archive. See include-exclude list.

include-exclude list
A list of include and exclude options that include or exclude selected files for backup. An exclude option identifies files that should not be backed up. An include option identifies files that are exempt from the exclusion rules or assigns a management class to a file or a group of files for backup or archive services. The include-exclude list is defined in one or more include-exclude files or in the . . See options file.

incremental backup
A function that permits user to back up new or changed files or directories from a client domain or from specified . These are not excluded in the include-exclude list and meet the requirements for frequency, mode, and serialization as defined by a backup copy group of the management class assigned to each file. Contrast with selective backup.

L

LAN
Local area network.

Local Area Network (LAN)
A variable-sized communications network placed in one location. LAN connects servers, PCs, workstations, a network operating system, access methods, and communications software and links.

M

management class
A policy object that is a named collection of copy groups. A management class is associated with a file to specify how the server should manage backup versions or archive copies of workstation files. See binding and copy group.

mode
A copy group attribute that specifies whether a backup file should be created for a file that was not modified since the last time the file was backed up. See absolute and modified.

modified
A backup copy group attribute indicating a file is considered for backup only if the file has been changed since the last backup. A file is considered changed if the date, size, owner, or permissions have changed. See absolute and mode.

N

Named Pipe
A type of interprocess communication that permits message data streams to pass between peer processes, such as between a client and a server.

network data transfer rate
The data transfer rate calculated by dividing the total number of bytes transferred by the data transfer time. For example, the time spent transferring data over the network.

node
See client node.

node name
A unique name used to identify a workstation, file server, or PC to the server.

NS/DOS
Networking Services/DOS.

O

open registration
A registration process in which users can register their own workstations or PCs as client nodes with the server. Contrast with closed registration.

options file
A file that contains processing options.

owner
The owner of backup-archive files sent from a multi-user client node, such as AIX.

P

pattern-matching character
See wildcard character.

policy domain
A policy object that contains one or more policy sets. Client nodes are associated with a policy domain. See policy set, management class, and copy group.

policy set
A policy object that contains a group of management class definitions that exist for a policy domain. At any one time, there can be many policy sets within a policy domain, but only one policy set can be active. See active policy set and management class.

progress indicator
A control used to inform a user about the progress of a process.

R

registration
The process of identifying a client node or administrator to the server by specifying a user ID, password, and contact information. For client nodes, a policy domain, compression status, and deletion privileges are also specified.

restore
A function that permits users to copy a version of a backup file from the storage pool to a workstation or file server. The backup copy in the storage pool is not affected. Contrast with backup.

retention
The amount of time, in days, that inactive backed up or archived files are retained in the storage pool before they are deleted. The following copy group attributes define retention: retain extra versions, retain only version, retain version.

retrieve
A function permitting users to copy an archived file from the storage pool to the workstation or file server. The archive copy in the storage pool is not affected. Contrast with archive.

S

scheduling mode
The type of scheduling operation for the client-server node. TSM supports two scheduling modes: client-polling and server-prompted.

scroll
Move through a list of items in a window by operating the scrollbars with the mouse cursor.

select
Choose an item from a list or group of items.

selective backup
A function permitting users to back up specified files. These files are not excluded in the include-exclude list and meet the requirement for serialization in the backup copy group of the management class assigned to each file. Contrast with incremental backup.

serialization
A copy group attribute that specifies whether a file can be modified during a backup or archive operation. See static, dynamic, shared static, and shared dynamic.

server
A program running on a mainframe, workstation, or file server that provides shared services such as backup and archive to other various (often remote) programs (called clients).

server-prompted scheduling
A client-server communication technique where the server contacts the client node when tasks need to be done.

session
A period of time in which a user can communicate with a server to perform backup, archive, restore, or retrieve requests.

shared dynamic
A TSM copy group serialization mode. This mode specifies if a file changes during backup or archive and continues to change after a number of retries. The last retry commits the file to the TSM server whether or not the file changed during backup or archive. Contrast with dynamic, shared static, and static.

shared static
A copy group serialization value specifying that a file must not be modified during a backup or archive operation. TSM attempts to retry the operation a number of times. If the file is in use during each attempt, the file is not backed up or archived. See serialization. Contrast with dynamic, shared dynamic, and static.

share point
A drive or directory on Windows NT, 95, 98, or Windows Me whose files are available for shared access across a network. The share point name is part of a UNC name. See Universal Naming Convention (UNC) name.

shift-click
Click on an item while pressing the Shift key.

space management
The process of keeping sufficient free storage space available on a local file system for new data and making the most efficient and economical use of distributed storage resources.

stabilized file space
A file space that exists on the server but not on the client. This situation can arise in at least two instances:
  1. A drive is removed from a client workstation
  2. A file space is renamed on the server

Stabilized file spaces remain on the server until deleted by the user or administrator. Files and directories can be restored and retrieved from a stabilized file space. However, it is not possible to back up or archive data to a stabilized file space.

static
A copy group serialization value specifying that a file must not be modified during a backup or archive operation. If the file is in use during the first attempt, TSM will not back up or archive the file. See serialization. Contrast with dynamic, shared dynamic, and shared static.

storage pool
A named set of storage volumes used as the destination of backup, archive, or migrated copies.

system drive or partition
On Windows NT, the drive or partition on which Windows NT is installed.

T

TCA
Trusted Communications Agent

TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.

timeout
A time event involving:

Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM)
A client-server licensed program product that provides storage management and data access services to customers in a multivendor computer environment.

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
A standard set of communication protocols that supports peer-to-peer connectivity of functions for both local and wide-area networks.

Trusted Communications Agent (TCA) (UNIX)
A program that can handle the sign-on password protocol when password access is generated. The main process (for example, dsm, dsmc) makes a run time decision based on the password access option setting, the user ID, and the executables' access privileges to run this program. The file that contains this program must have the 's' bit set in its mode field and the owner must be root.

TSM
Tivoli Storage Manager

TSM authorized user
A user who has administrative authority for the TSM client on a workstation. This user changes passwords, performs open registrations, and deletes file spaces.

U

Universal Naming Convention (UNC) name
A name used on Windows to access a drive or directory containing files shared across a network. The UNC name includes the machine name and a share point name that represents the shared drive or directory. See share point.

V

version
Storage management policy may allow back-level copies of backed up objects to be kept at the server whenever an object is newly backed up. The most recent backed up copy is called the "active" version. Earlier copies are "inactive" versions. The following backup copy group attributes define version criteria: versions data exists, and versions data deleted.

W

wildcard character
An asterisk (*) or question mark (?) character used to represent multiple (*) or single (?) characters when searching for various combinations of characters in alphanumeric and symbolic names.

windowed interface
A type of user interface that is either a graphical user interface or a text-based interface. The text-based interface maintains a close affinity to the graphical user interface, including action bars and their associated pull-down menus and windows. See graphical user interface.

workstation
A programmable high-level workstation (usually on a network) with its own processing hardware such as a high-performance personal computer. In a local area network, a personal computer that acts as a single user or client. A workstation can also be used as a server.


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