100% Real IBM C4090-958 Exam Questions & Answers, Accurate & Verified By IT Experts
Instant Download, Free Fast Updates, 99.6% Pass Rate
This exam was replaced by IBM with C4090-971 exam
IBM C4090-958 Practice Test Questions in VCE Format
| File | Votes | Size | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
File IBM.Selftestengine.C4090-958.v2014-02-22.by.Lynn.53q.vce |
Votes 3 |
Size 321.68 KB |
Date Feb 22, 2014 |
IBM C4090-958 Practice Test Questions, Exam Dumps
IBM C4090-958 (Enterprise Storage Technical Support V3) exam dumps vce, practice test questions, study guide & video training course to study and pass quickly and easily. IBM C4090-958 Enterprise Storage Technical Support V3 exam dumps & practice test questions and answers. You need avanset vce exam simulator in order to study the IBM C4090-958 certification exam dumps & IBM C4090-958 practice test questions in vce format.
The C4090-958 Exam, officially titled IBM Tivoli Storage Manager V7.1 Implementation, represented a significant milestone for data protection professionals. Passing this exam certified an individual's deep understanding and practical skills in deploying, configuring, and managing one of the most robust enterprise backup and recovery solutions of its time. While the certification itself has been retired, the knowledge it encompassed remains highly relevant. Understanding the principles tested in the C4090-958 Exam provides a solid foundation for comprehending modern data protection strategies, particularly within environments that still leverage IBM Spectrum Protect, the successor to Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM).
This series will deconstruct the core competencies required for the C4090-958 Exam, offering a detailed exploration of TSM V7.1's architecture, features, and administrative practices. We will delve into the fundamental concepts that made TSM a cornerstone of enterprise data management, from its policy-based automation to its hierarchical storage management. By exploring these topics, we can appreciate the complexity of the challenges it solved and understand why the skills associated with it continue to be valuable for managing large-scale data infrastructures, ensuring business continuity, and planning for disaster recovery in today's ever-evolving technological landscape.
The C4090-958 Exam was more than just a test; it was a validation of an administrator's ability to handle the complete lifecycle of data protection using IBM Tivoli Storage Manager V7.1. The exam rigorously assessed candidates on planning, installation, configuration, administration, troubleshooting, and performance tuning. It was designed for implementation professionals who needed to demonstrate they could build and maintain a reliable, scalable, and efficient backup environment from the ground up. This certification was a benchmark of excellence, signaling to employers that a candidate possessed the intricate knowledge required to safeguard an organization's most critical digital assets.
Although new technologies and certifications have since emerged, the principles covered in the C4090-958 Exam form the bedrock of modern data protection. Concepts like automated data retention, tiered storage, data deduplication, and disaster recovery planning were central to the exam's objectives. Professionals who studied for or achieved this certification developed a disciplined approach to data management that transcends specific products. The legacy of the C4090-958 Exam is not just the specific commands or menus of TSM V7.1, but the strategic thinking it instilled in a generation of storage and backup administrators.
IBM Tivoli Storage Manager V7.1 was a comprehensive data protection platform designed to centralize and automate backup and recovery operations across a diverse enterprise environment. Its primary role was to protect data from a wide range of threats, including hardware failure, data corruption, user error, and catastrophic site disasters. TSM provided a single point of control for managing data from various operating systems, applications, and hardware platforms. This capability was a key focus of the C4090-958 Exam, as administrators needed to understand how to integrate TSM seamlessly into complex, heterogeneous IT infrastructures.
The power of TSM V7.1 lay in its policy-based automation. Instead of manually managing individual backup jobs, administrators defined policies that dictated how data was backed up, how many versions were kept, how long they were retained, and where they were stored. This policy-driven approach ensured consistency, reduced administrative overhead, and minimized the risk of human error. For anyone preparing for the C4090-958 Exam, a deep understanding of this policy engine was non-negotiable, as it was the core mechanism that controlled the entire data protection lifecycle within the TSM environment.
A fundamental topic within the C4090-958 Exam was the architecture of Tivoli Storage Manager. The system is built on a classic client-server model, but with several key components. The central piece is the TSM Server, which acts as the brain of the operation. It manages the TSM database, the recovery log, storage pools, and all policy information. The server is responsible for scheduling client operations, managing data movement, and maintaining a catalog of all backed-up files. Understanding the server's role was paramount to successfully implementing and managing the solution.
On the other side are the TSM Backup-Archive Clients, which are installed on the machines that need protection. These clients communicate with the TSM server to back up, restore, archive, and retrieve data. Another critical component is the Storage Agent, which can offload data movement from the server in Storage Area Network (SAN) environments, improving performance. Finally, the Administrative Client provides the interface for managing the entire TSM environment, typically through a command-line interface (dsmadmc) or graphical user interfaces. A thorough grasp of how these components interact was essential for any C4090-958 Exam candidate.
The policy management engine is arguably the most important concept in TSM and a major focus of the C4090-958 Exam. This engine allows administrators to define a sophisticated, automated data management strategy. The hierarchy of policy objects begins with the Policy Domain, which is a container for a group of clients with similar backup requirements. Within each domain, there is at least one Policy Set, which contains the specific rules for data management. However, only one policy set can be active at a time for any given domain.
The most granular level of control is found in Management Classes and Copy Groups. A Management Class is a collection of backup and archive policies that can be applied to specific files or directories. Within each Management Class are Copy Groups (one for backup, one for archive) that define the rules for versioning, retention, and data destination. For instance, a backup copy group could specify keeping five versions of a file, with the inactive versions being retained for 60 days. Mastering these objects was crucial for passing the C4090-958 Exam and for effective TSM administration.
How TSM stores data is another cornerstone of the C4090-958 Exam curriculum. Data is not written directly to a tape or disk but is first directed to a logical entity called a Storage Pool. A storage pool is a collection of storage volumes, which can be physical disks, tape cartridges, or other storage media. This abstraction allows for great flexibility in managing storage resources. For example, an administrator could create a high-speed disk pool for initial backups and then configure TSM to automatically migrate that data to a more cost-effective tape pool for long-term retention.
Each storage pool is associated with a Device Class, which defines the type of hardware being used (e.g., LTO tape drive, disk directory). This hierarchical structure of Data -> Volume -> Storage Pool -> Device Class is fundamental. TSM supports different types of storage pools, including primary pools (where data is first stored), copy pools (for creating redundant copies of data for offsite storage), and active-data pools (for storing only the active versions of files for faster restores). Understanding how to design and manage this storage hierarchy was a key skill tested in the C4090-958 Exam.
At the heart of every TSM server is a relational database, which in V7.1 is IBM DB2. This database is the central catalog for the entire TSM environment. It stores all metadata about the backed-up files, including file names, sizes, ownership, and locations within the storage pools. It also contains all policy information, client node definitions, schedules, and administrative settings. The health and integrity of the TSM database are critical for the functioning of the entire system. A corrupt or lost database means losing track of all protected data, even if the data itself is intact in the storage pools.
To protect the database itself, TSM uses a Recovery Log. All transactions and changes to the database are first written to this log. This write-ahead logging mechanism ensures database consistency and recoverability in case of a server crash. The C4090-958 Exam required candidates to know how to manage, size, and protect both the database and the recovery log. This included performing regular database backups, managing log space, and understanding the procedures for recovering the database in a disaster scenario. Without this knowledge, an administrator could not ensure the resilience of the backup system itself.
The communication between the TSM server and its clients is a vital aspect of the system's operation and a topic covered in the C4090-958 Exam. This communication is typically handled over TCP/IP networks. When a backup or other operation is initiated, the client establishes a session with the server. The server then authenticates the client node using its registered name and password. Once authenticated, the client and server exchange information about policies, file metadata, and data transfer instructions.
Several configuration parameters on both the client and server sides control this communication. These include server addresses, communication ports (defaulting to 1500), and various options for tuning network performance, such as buffer sizes and compression settings. The C4090-958 Exam expected candidates to be able to configure this communication, troubleshoot connectivity issues, and implement security measures like Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to encrypt data in transit. Properly configuring this communication is essential for both the performance and security of the entire data protection infrastructure.
While the C4090-958 Exam specifically focused on Tivoli Storage Manager V7.1, it is crucial to understand its place in the product's lineage. IBM has since rebranded and significantly enhanced the TSM product line, which is now known as IBM Spectrum Protect. This evolution reflects broader industry shifts towards software-defined storage, cloud integration, and protection for modern workloads like virtual machines and containers. Spectrum Protect builds upon the powerful policy-based engine of TSM but adds many new capabilities.
Key enhancements include a modern user interface, improved scalability, built-in cloud object storage integration, and advanced features for virtual environment protection. For example, IBM Spectrum Protect Plus offers a more streamlined, agentless solution for virtual machines and applications. For professionals whose skills were certified by the C4090-958 Exam, understanding this evolution is key to adapting their expertise. The core principles of data management remain the same, but they are now applied to a much wider and more complex range of technologies and deployment models, making the foundational knowledge more valuable than ever.
One might question the relevance of studying for a retired exam like the C4090-958 Exam. However, the underlying skills are timeless in the world of enterprise IT. The ability to design a tiered storage strategy to balance cost and performance is just as important today as it was then. The discipline of creating granular, policy-based retention rules is essential for meeting modern data governance and compliance requirements. Troubleshooting complex client-server interactions and tuning performance in a large-scale system are skills that are universally applicable.
Furthermore, many large organizations still run IBM Spectrum Protect, and the administrative concepts are heavily rooted in the TSM V7.1 framework. An administrator who understands the C4090-958 Exam material can more quickly adapt to managing a modern Spectrum Protect environment. They will have a deeper appreciation for why certain features exist and how to best leverage them. The C4090-958 Exam taught not just a product, but a methodology for enterprise data protection, and that methodology endures, providing a powerful career advantage even years after the exam's retirement.
Building on the foundational concepts of IBM Tivoli Storage Manager V7.1, the next critical area of focus for the C4090-958 Exam was the practical implementation and day-to-day administration of the TSM server and its clients. This phase moves from theoretical understanding to hands-on application, where a deep knowledge of installation prerequisites, configuration steps, and routine management tasks is essential. A successful implementation professional must not only understand the architecture but also be able to build it, secure it, and maintain its operational health. This part of the series will guide you through these crucial stages.
We will explore the meticulous planning required before installation, the step-by-step process of setting up the TSM V7.1 server, and the initial configuration of core components like storage pools and policy domains. Furthermore, we will delve into the essential administrative tasks that form the backbone of managing a TSM environment. This includes registering clients, managing security, and using the powerful command-line interface. The content covered here reflects the practical, hands-on skills that the C4090-958 Exam was designed to validate, providing a roadmap for mastering the administrative side of this powerful data protection suite.
Before ever running the installer, a significant portion of the work in a TSM implementation is in the planning and preparation phase. The C4090-958 Exam stressed the importance of this stage, as mistakes made here can have long-lasting consequences. The first step involves gathering requirements from stakeholders to understand the data protection needs. This includes determining the volume of data to be backed up, the required recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs), and any long-term retention requirements for compliance or legal purposes.
Next, the implementer must perform capacity planning and hardware sizing. This involves calculating the required resources for the TSM server, including CPU, memory, and disk space for the TSM database and recovery log. It also includes planning the storage hierarchy, estimating the amount of disk and tape capacity needed for the storage pools. Finally, network infrastructure must be assessed to ensure there is sufficient bandwidth for backup and restore operations without impacting production systems. A well-documented plan covering these areas was a prerequisite for success, both in the real world and in the C4090-958 Exam.
The installation of the TSM V7.1 server itself is a structured process that the C4090-958 Exam required candidates to know intimately. The process begins with ensuring the host operating system (such as AIX, Linux, or Windows) meets all prerequisites, including required libraries and kernel parameter settings. The TSM installation package is then executed, typically using a wizard or a command-line utility. During this process, the installer will lay down the necessary binaries and create the TSM server instance, including the underlying DB2 database that serves as its catalog.
Following the software installation, the initial configuration is performed using a utility like dsmicfgx. This guided process involves setting the server name, defining the administrator account and password, and allocating space for the database and recovery log. One of the most critical steps is licensing the product, where the administrator applies the appropriate licenses for the TSM server and any optional features, such as TSM for Virtual Environments or TSM for Databases. A correctly installed and configured server is the foundation upon which the entire data protection infrastructure is built.
Once the TSM server is running, the first major administrative task is to configure the storage where backup data will reside. This process, a key subject of the C4090-958 Exam, starts with defining Device Classes. A device class tells TSM about the type of storage hardware being used. For example, an LTO device class would specify the tape drive format (e.g., LTO5) and the library it belongs to. A DISK device class would simply point to a directory on a file system. These definitions are crucial for TSM to interact correctly with the underlying hardware.
With device classes in place, the administrator can then define Storage Pools. As discussed previously, these are logical groupings of storage volumes. For a disk-based pool, the administrator defines volumes by specifying file paths and sizes. For a tape-based pool, TSM will manage the physical tape cartridges within the library. The configuration also involves setting parameters like the maximum number of scratch volumes and defining a migration hierarchy. For instance, a disk pool might be configured to migrate data to a tape pool once it becomes 70% full, automating the data lifecycle management.
With storage configured, the next step is to create the rules that will govern data protection. This is done by configuring the policy management objects, a core competency for the C4090-958 Exam. The process begins by defining a Policy Domain. For example, an organization might create separate domains for Windows file servers and Linux database servers, as their backup requirements are likely different. Within this domain, an administrator creates a Policy Set, which will contain all the specific backup and archive rules.
The heart of the configuration lies within the Management Classes and their associated Copy Groups. Here, the administrator defines the granular rules. For instance, a "STANDARD" management class might be created with a backup copy group that specifies keeping 4 versions of any file, retaining inactive versions for 30 days, and keeping the last version forever. A separate "LOGFILES" management class might only keep backups for 7 days. Once the entire policy is configured, the policy set must be validated and then activated to become effective for the clients in that domain.
A TSM server is useless without clients to protect. Each machine that needs to be backed up must be registered on the TSM server as a Client Node. This process, a frequent task for any TSM administrator and a topic on the C4090-958 Exam, involves defining the node name, setting a password for authentication, and assigning the node to a specific policy domain. The REGISTER NODE command is used for this purpose. Various options can be set during registration, such as the maximum number of simultaneous connections (mount points) allowed from that client.
Once the node is registered on the server, the TSM backup-archive client software must be installed on the client machine. The primary configuration file on the client (dsm.sys on Unix/Linux, dsm.opt on Windows) must then be edited. This file needs to contain the server's address, the communication port, and the name of the client node as it was registered on the server. After this configuration, the client can establish a connection with the server, authenticate, and begin performing backup and restore operations based on the policies defined in its assigned domain.
While graphical interfaces exist, the primary tool for managing a TSM server is the administrative command-line interface, dsmadmc. A deep proficiency with this interface was absolutely essential for the C4090-958 Exam. This powerful CLI allows administrators to perform every possible management task, from querying the status of backups to reconfiguring the entire policy structure. The syntax is verb-noun based, leading to commands that are relatively intuitive once the structure is understood, such as QUERY NODE, DEFINE STGPOOL, or UPDATE MGMTCLASS.
Experienced administrators rely on dsmadmc for its power, speed, and scriptability. Repetitive tasks can be easily automated by incorporating TSM commands into scripts. The CLI also provides the most detailed output, which is invaluable for troubleshooting. Common commands that any C4090-958 Exam candidate would need to master include those for managing nodes, policies, storage pools, drives, libraries, schedules, and for querying the database, activity log, and events. This command-line fluency is a hallmark of a seasoned TSM professional.
A TSM environment is not a "set it and forget it" system. It requires regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure it runs smoothly. Daily administrative tasks, often automated through TSM's own scheduling capabilities, are a key part of this. These tasks, often referred to as "housekeeping" or "administrative processes," are crucial for the long-term health of the system. Examples include backing up the TSM database itself, identifying and reclaiming unused space in storage pools (reclamation), and migrating data from one storage tier to another.
Other daily tasks involve monitoring the previous night's backup schedules. Administrators must check the TSM activity log for any failed or missed client backups and take corrective action. They also need to monitor the space utilization of storage pools and the availability of scratch tapes in the library. Many of these monitoring tasks can be automated using TSM's event logging and reporting capabilities. The C4090-958 Exam would expect a candidate to know how to configure and manage these essential daily processes to ensure the reliability of the backup service.
Security is a critical aspect of any data management system, and it was an important topic for the C4090-958 Exam. Securing a TSM environment involves multiple layers. First is administrative access. TSM has a role-based access control system where different administrators can be granted different levels of authority. A system administrator has full privileges, while a policy administrator might only be able to change policy settings. This helps enforce the principle of least privilege.
Client security is also vital. Each client node has a password to authenticate with the server. It is important to enforce strong password policies and regular rotation. Furthermore, data can be encrypted both in transit (using SSL/TLS) and at rest (using client-side encryption). The C4090-958 Exam required knowledge of how to configure these security settings. For instance, an administrator must know how to set node passwords, enable SSL communication, and understand the implications of client-side encryption, where the client manages the encryption key, making the data unreadable without it.
Both the TSM server and the TSM clients are highly configurable through a set of options. The server options are stored in a file named dsmserv.opt, while client options are in dsm.opt or dsm.sys. These files contain dozens of parameters that can be used to tune the behavior, performance, and features of the software. A significant part of the C4090-958 Exam curriculum involved understanding the most important of these options and their impact on the system.
On the server side, options might control communication timeouts, the number of parallel sessions allowed, or settings for database performance. On the client side, options determine which server to contact, which files or directories to include or exclude from backups, and whether to use features like compression or encryption. For example, an EXCLUDE.DIR statement in the client options file can prevent temporary directories from being backed up, saving storage space and network bandwidth. Knowing how to leverage these options is key to tailoring a TSM implementation to the specific needs of an organization.
Having established the foundation of a Tivoli Storage Manager V7.1 environment through installation and initial configuration, we now turn to its core mission: the protection and recovery of data. This is the heart of the TSM system and, consequently, a major component of the C4090-958 Exam. Understanding the nuances of backup, archive, restore, and retrieve operations is what separates a system installer from a true data protection specialist. This section will explore the various methods TSM uses to ingest, manage, and return data, ensuring its availability and integrity over its entire lifecycle.
We will examine the different types of data protection operations, from standard incremental backups to long-term archiving for legal compliance. The focus will be on how TSM's policy engine automates these processes and how administrators can manually interact with the system to perform critical tasks. This includes mastering the commands and procedures for restoring anything from a single lost file to an entire server. The principles discussed here are fundamental to business continuity and disaster recovery, and a deep understanding of them was a non-negotiable requirement for any candidate aspiring to pass the C4090-958 Exam.
Tivoli Storage Manager's approach to backups, a key concept for the C4090-958 Exam, is fundamentally different from many traditional backup products. TSM’s default backup method is the "progressive incremental" or "incremental forever" backup. In a traditional model, a full backup is taken periodically (e.g., weekly), with smaller incremental or differential backups taken in between. Restoring a system requires locating the last full backup and then applying all subsequent incrementals. This can be complex and time-consuming.
TSM simplifies this. The first time a client is backed up, a full backup is performed. On every subsequent backup, TSM only backs up new or changed files since the last backup of any type. It never needs another full backup. When a restore is requested, TSM uses its database to present a point-in-time view of the file system. The administrator simply selects the files they need, and TSM retrieves the correct active versions from the storage pools. This elegant approach simplifies administration, reduces backup windows, and minimizes network traffic and storage consumption.
Executing a client backup is the most common operation in a TSM environment. This process can be initiated in two primary ways: client-initiated or server-prompted. A client-initiated backup is when a user or a local script on the client machine starts the backup process, often using the backup-archive client GUI or the dsmc command-line utility. This is useful for ad-hoc backups or for environments where users manage their own data protection, such as on laptops.
The more common enterprise method, and a focus of the C4090-958 Exam, is the server-prompted schedule. The TSM administrator defines a schedule on the server that specifies what action to take (e.g., incremental backup), at what time, and how often. This schedule is then associated with one or more client nodes. The client machines must be running a client scheduler service or daemon, which polls the server for work at regular intervals. When the scheduled time arrives, the server instructs the client to begin its backup, providing a centralized and automated approach to data protection.
While the default backup type in TSM is incremental, administrators have other options available, and the C4090-958 Exam required knowledge of when to use each. The incremental backup, as described, is the workhorse of TSM. It intelligently backs up only new and modified files, making it highly efficient. It operates based on the rules defined in the management class's backup copy group, which controls versioning and retention.
A selective backup, in contrast, allows an administrator or user to back up a specific file or a directory tree, regardless of whether it has changed. This is useful for protecting a specific set of files before a system change or for creating a special backup outside of the normal schedule. A key difference is that a selective backup will always be bound to the default management class in the assigned policy domain, unless another is explicitly specified. It is a targeted operation rather than a systematic, all-encompassing one.
The C4090-958 Exam distinguished clearly between backup and archive operations. While backups are for recovery from data loss or corruption and have a lifecycle of versions, archives are for long-term, point-in-time preservation of data. The primary purpose of an archive is often to meet legal, regulatory, or business record-keeping requirements. When a file is archived, TSM stores a single, static copy of it for a specified retention period, for example, seven years.
Unlike backups, archived data is not subject to versioning or expiration based on file inactivity. It is kept for the exact period defined in the archive copy group of its management class. For example, an administrator could create a special "LEGAL_HOLD" management class with a retention period of 10 years. Users could then explicitly archive specific project files or email records using this class to ensure they are preserved for the required duration. This provides a powerful tool for data governance and compliance.
The ultimate purpose of any backup system is the ability to recover data. In TSM terminology, recovering data from a backup is called a "restore," while recovering data from an archive is called a "retrieve." These operations are the mirror images of their data protection counterparts, and proficiency in them was essential for the C4090-958 Exam. An administrator or user can use the client interface to browse the backed-up file system as it existed at a specific point in time and select individual files, directories, or entire file systems to restore.
TSM handles the complexity of finding the data, whether it's on a high-speed disk pool or has been migrated to tape. If the data is on tape, TSM will automatically request that the tape library mount the correct media. The restore process can replace existing files or restore them to a new location to avoid overwriting current data. Similarly, the retrieve operation allows for the recovery of archived data, which is crucial for e-discovery or audits. The ability to perform these operations efficiently and accurately is the ultimate measure of a data protection system's value.
Standard file-level backup is not sufficient for transactional applications like databases (e.g., Oracle, SQL Server) and email systems (e.g., Exchange). Simply backing up the live data files can result in a corrupt, unusable backup because the application is constantly changing them. To solve this, IBM provides Tivoli Data Protection (TDP) clients, also known as Data Protection for Applications. The C4090-958 Exam required an understanding of the role and function of these specialized clients.
TDP clients are application-aware. They integrate directly with the application's native backup APIs. For example, Data Protection for Oracle uses Oracle's RMAN (Recovery Manager) functionality to ensure a consistent, point-in-time backup of the database. The TDP agent manages the communication with the TSM server, offloading the backup data directly to TSM storage pools. This allows for reliable application recovery and enables advanced features like granular mailbox restores for Exchange or point-in-time recovery for databases, all managed within the central TSM framework.
Beyond backup and archive, TSM V7.1 also offered Hierarchical Storage Management (HSM), often referred to as space management. This is an advanced feature that was covered in the C4090-958 Exam. HSM is designed to manage online disk space by automatically migrating inactive files from expensive, high-performance primary disk to more cost-effective nearline storage, such as a TSM storage pool. When a file has not been accessed for a certain period, HSM moves the file's data to TSM storage, leaving behind a small "stub" file.
To the end-user and the operating system, the file still appears to be in its original location. When the user tries to access the file, the HSM client intercepts the request, automatically recalls the file data from the TSM server, and presents it to the user. This process is transparent to the user, though there is a short delay for the recall. HSM allows organizations to manage massive amounts of file data cost-effectively, keeping only the most frequently accessed data on primary storage.
Automation is a key pillar of TSM's design, and this is primarily achieved through scheduling. As mentioned earlier, server-prompted schedules are the standard way to ensure client backups run consistently and reliably without manual intervention. The C4090-958 Exam required candidates to be proficient in defining and managing these schedules. An administrator can create a schedule using the DEFINE SCHEDULE command, specifying the policy domain, the schedule name, the action to be performed (e.g., incremental, archive), and the start time and frequency.
Schedules can be very flexible. They can be configured to run daily, on specific days of the week, or on a monthly basis. They also have a "schedule window," which is the period during which the client must start the job. This prevents a storm of clients from all trying to connect at the exact same second. Once a schedule is defined, it must be associated with client nodes using the DEFINE ASSOCIATION command. Proper schedule management is the key to maintaining a healthy, automated, and predictable data protection environment.
Data deduplication is a technology used to reduce storage consumption by storing only one unique copy of any given piece of data. TSM V7.1 offered deduplication capabilities, and the C4090-958 Exam expected candidates to understand the options. TSM supports two primary methods: client-side and server-side deduplication. With server-side deduplication, the client sends all its backup data to the server. The server then analyzes the data, identifies redundant segments, and stores only the unique segments in a special deduplicated storage pool.
Client-side deduplication is more efficient. The client analyzes the data before sending it over the network. It communicates with the server to determine which data segments the server already has stored. The client then sends only the new, unique data segments. This method provides significant benefits by reducing both network bandwidth usage and the load on the TSM server. However, it does place a slightly higher CPU load on the client machine during the backup process. Choosing the right method depends on the specific environment and its constraints.
Effective use of TSM requires more than just technical knowledge; it requires a strategic approach to data management. A key takeaway from the C4090-958 Exam curriculum was the importance of aligning technical configurations with business requirements. This involves classifying data based on its criticality and defining different management classes and policies accordingly. For example, critical production database backups should be stored on highly available disk, copied to tape, and replicated to a disaster recovery site. Less critical development data might have a much simpler policy.
Best practices also include regular testing of restores. A backup is only as good as its ability to be restored, and periodic, scheduled tests are the only way to ensure the system is working as expected. Other best practices involve diligent monitoring of the TSM environment, maintaining clear documentation of the policy configuration, and having a well-defined procedure for introducing new clients into the system. This strategic mindset is what elevates a TSM operator to a TSM architect.
With a firm grasp of installation, administration, and core data protection operations, the journey into mastering IBM Tivoli Storage Manager V7.1, as defined by the C4090-958 Exam, advances into the critical domains of performance tuning and troubleshooting. A properly functioning TSM environment does more than just complete backups; it does so efficiently, within defined backup windows, and without adversely affecting production systems. When issues inevitably arise, a skilled administrator must be able to diagnose the root cause quickly and implement effective solutions. This part of the series is dedicated to these advanced skills.
We will explore the common performance bottlenecks that can occur in a TSM infrastructure, from the server's database to the client's network connection. We will cover the tools and techniques used to monitor the health of the system, identify problems, and optimize various components for better throughput. Furthermore, this section will delve into common troubleshooting scenarios, examining how to interpret logs and server messages to resolve failures. These competencies were crucial for the C4090-958 Exam, as they demonstrate an administrator's ability to not just build, but also maintain and optimize a resilient data protection service.
Performance tuning in a TSM environment begins with identifying the bottleneck. A bottleneck is the component in the data path that is the limiting factor for overall throughput. In a complex system like TSM, the bottleneck could be anywhere: the client's disk read speed, the client's CPU, the network between the client and server, the TSM server's CPU, the speed of the TSM database and recovery log disks, or the write speed of the final storage pool media (disk or tape). The C4090-958 Exam required candidates to understand how to systematically analyze the data flow to pinpoint this constraint.
A common methodology is to examine the resource utilization of each component during a backup or restore operation. High CPU utilization on the client might suggest a bottleneck there, perhaps due to compression or client-side deduplication. High network latency or packet loss points to the network. On the server, slow disk I/O for the database or recovery log is a frequent culprit. By using operating system tools and TSM's own monitoring capabilities, an administrator can isolate the slowest part of the chain and focus their tuning efforts where they will have the most impact.
The TSM database (DB2) and its associated recovery log are the nerve center of the server. Their performance is critical to the overall performance of the entire system, especially during operations that involve many small files, which generate a high volume of database transactions. The C4090-958 Exam emphasized the importance of proper database and log placement. Best practice dictates that the TSM database, the active recovery log, and the archive log should all be placed on separate, high-performance, dedicated physical disk volumes.
Placing these components on the same physical disks creates I/O contention and can severely degrade performance. The disks used should have low latency and high IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second). Further tuning can be done by adjusting DB2 buffer pools and other TSM server options that control database operations. Regular database maintenance, such as running REORGCHK and REORG on DB2 tables, is also essential for maintaining optimal performance over time by reducing fragmentation and updating statistics.
The performance of the storage pools, where the backup data ultimately resides, is another major factor. For disk-based (FILE device type) storage pools, performance is dependent on the underlying filesystem and disk hardware. Using a fast, dedicated RAID array is crucial. A key tuning parameter for disk pools is the MAXSCRATCH value, which should be set high enough to avoid running out of space. The C4090-958 Exam would expect candidates to understand the different types of pools and how to optimize them.
For tape-based storage pools, performance is governed by the speed of the physical tape drives and the efficiency of tape media management. A critical concept here is "tape reclamation." As files expire and are deleted from a tape, the space they occupied becomes fragmented. Reclamation is the process of consolidating the remaining active data from several tapes onto a new one, allowing the old tapes to be returned to the scratch pool. Setting the reclamation threshold appropriately is a balancing act: too low and reclamation runs constantly; too high and you waste tape media.
The network is the highway that connects TSM clients and servers, and it is a very common source of performance issues. The C4090-958 Exam required a solid understanding of how to diagnose and tune network-related aspects of TSM. The first step is to ensure there is sufficient bandwidth available for backup traffic, especially during peak backup windows. Using dedicated backup networks is a common strategy to isolate this traffic from production user traffic.
TSM provides several options to optimize network usage. The TCPWINDOWSIZE option on both the client and server can be tuned to improve throughput on high-latency wide area networks (WANs). The COMPRESSION option on the client can be enabled to reduce the amount of data sent over the wire, which is beneficial on slower networks but increases client CPU usage. For environments with many clients, the TSM server's MAXSESSIONS option must be set high enough to accommodate all concurrent connections.
Performance tuning is not limited to the server. The client machine itself plays a huge role in backup and restore speed. The C4090-958 Exam covered several client-side factors. The speed at which the client can read data from its own disks is often the primary limiting factor. If the source disks are slow or heavily contended, the backup will be slow. The client's CPU can also be a bottleneck, particularly if features like software compression or client-side encryption are enabled.
Administrators can use various client options to tune performance. The RESOURCEUTILIZATION option allows the client to use more concurrent sessions to back up data from different filesystems in parallel, which can greatly improve performance. The TXNBYTELIMIT option controls the size of transactions sent to the server, and tuning it can sometimes improve efficiency. Strategically using INCLUDE and EXCLUDE statements to avoid backing up unnecessary data (like temporary files or OS binaries) is one of the most effective ways to improve client backup performance.
Troubleshooting is a skill learned through experience, but the C4090-958 Exam tested for knowledge of common problems and how to resolve them. One of the most frequent issues is a failed client backup, which can have many causes. A common cause is a communication failure, where the client cannot contact the server. This requires checking network connectivity, firewalls, and ensuring the client's options file has the correct server address and port.
Another common scenario is a missed schedule. This often happens when the client scheduler service is not running on the client machine or if the client was powered off during its scheduled window. Storage pool issues are also frequent, such as a pool running out of scratch volumes. This requires the administrator to add more volumes to the pool or check in new tapes to the library. The C4090-958 Exam would expect a candidate to be able to logically step through these problems to find the cause.
Effective troubleshooting and performance management rely on good data. TSM V7.1 provides several tools for monitoring the health and status of the environment. The most important tool is the TSM Activity Log. This log records a real-time stream of messages about every event occurring on the server, from client session start and end times to error messages and administrative command completions. The QUERY ACTLOG command is an administrator's best friend for understanding what happened and when.
TSM also provides event logging, which can be configured to send alerts for specific messages, such as backup failures or media errors. The Operations Center, a web-based graphical interface introduced in later TSM versions and built upon in V7.1, provides a high-level dashboard for monitoring the overall health of the environment at a glance. For deeper analysis, administrators can run SQL queries directly against the TSM database using the SELECT command in the administrative client to generate custom reports on anything from data growth to client success rates.
The messages generated by TSM are coded and categorized. Each message has a unique identifier (e.g., ANR, ANE, ANS) and a severity level (Informational, Warning, Error). A key skill tested in the C4090-958 Exam was the ability to interpret these messages correctly. An "ANR" message originates from the TSM server, an "ANE" message is an event notification, and an "ANS" message comes from the client. Understanding this distinction helps an administrator know where to start looking for a problem.
For example, an "ANS1512E" message on the client indicates a TCP/IP connection failure, pointing to a network problem. An "ANR8337E" message on the server indicates that a tape volume needs to be checked into a library, signaling a media availability issue. The ability to quickly look up these message codes in the official documentation and understand their meaning and suggested user response is a fundamental troubleshooting skill. The activity log provides the context for these messages, showing the sequence of events that led to the error.
Let's consider a practical example of troubleshooting a client backup failure. The activity log shows the backup for client "WEBSRV01" failed with a return code of 12. A return code of 12 signifies that some files were not processed. To investigate, the administrator would log into the client machine and examine its local error log (dsmerror.log) and schedule log (dsmsched.log). These logs provide much more detail from the client's perspective.
The dsmerror.log might show "ANS4005E The file is currently in use" for a specific database file. This indicates the backup tried to protect a file that was locked by an application. The solution would be to either stop the application during the backup, use an include/exclude statement to skip that file, or, ideally, implement a proper TDP client that can back up the application while it is online. This systematic process of using server and client logs to narrow down a problem is a core troubleshooting workflow.
The C4090-958 Exam for IBM Tivoli Storage Manager V7.1 may be retired, but its legacy is far from over. It represented a standard of excellence in the field of enterprise data protection, demanding a deep and practical understanding of a complex and powerful system. The principles of policy-based automation, hierarchical storage management, efficient incremental backups, and meticulous disaster recovery planning are as relevant today as they were then. They are the fundamental building blocks of any resilient IT infrastructure.
For those who earned the certification, it remains a mark of deep technical expertise. For those studying the material today, it offers a masterclass in the architecture of enterprise backup and recovery. The journey from TSM V7.1 to the modern IBM Spectrum Protect suite illustrates a path of continuous innovation built upon a stable and powerful foundation. Ultimately, the knowledge encompassed by the C4090-958 Exam is about more than a product; it's about the timeless discipline of safeguarding an organization's most valuable asset: its data.
Go to testing centre with ease on our mind when you use IBM C4090-958 vce exam dumps, practice test questions and answers. IBM C4090-958 Enterprise Storage Technical Support V3 certification practice test questions and answers, study guide, exam dumps and video training course in vce format to help you study with ease. Prepare with confidence and study using IBM C4090-958 exam dumps & practice test questions and answers vce from ExamCollection.
Site Search:
SPECIAL OFFER: GET 10% OFF
Pass your Exam with ExamCollection's PREMIUM files!
SPECIAL OFFER: GET 10% OFF
Use Discount Code:
MIN10OFF
A confirmation link was sent to your e-mail.
Please check your mailbox for a message from support@examcollection.com and follow the directions.
Download Free Demo of VCE Exam Simulator
Experience Avanset VCE Exam Simulator for yourself.
Simply submit your e-mail address below to get started with our interactive software demo of your free trial.