The Challenge

With 100s and 1000s of server in TSM backup service, how do IS operations effectively ensure frequently validation of full-server recovery?

Increasing complexity in the application environment requires more frequent server recovery test, validating more server backups on smaller budgets and fewer staff.

The “Ready-for-Tivoli” solution automatically restores and validates full application servers – based on file and database backups in TSM. Massive amounts of production servers are recovered on a separate, dissimilar SMARTtsm test platform, continuously reporting recovery time.

The Benefits

In SMARTtsm the Admin schedules massive amounts of full-server recovery tests onto a low-cost test platform. Complex recovery activities within O/S, applications, databases and integrity testing are incorporated into the SMARTtsm software, helping Admins to manage and document recoverability and recovery times for highly complex environments.

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More for less: optimize test output

SMARTtsm puts the Admin in the driver’s seat when it comes to server recovery testing. Not only will SMARTtsm allow the Admin to configure and replay full server recovery tests continuously and directly out of TSM backup storage.

SMARTtsm fuels unprecedented autonomy into the Admin’s with fully automated recovery of application frameworks.

All-in-one recovery test process

In many cases the complete recovery of a business-critical application like MS Exchange require several experts on Windows O/S, Exchange, Active Directory, backup and recovery from database backups stored in TSM.

With SMARTtsm, the complete rebuild process is automated and scheduled to run at any frequency to align with IT security policies.

Application Integrity Wizard

Once SMARTtsm has finalized a server recovery process, the test platform automatically injects a query into the restored file and database systems in order to determine if the restored backup data are sufficient to support at fully recoverable application environment.

All results are submitted in a report stating the integrity analysis output along recovery time.

Easily integrates with the infrastructure

SMARTtsm is “Ready-for-Tivoli” accredited. Furthermore, recovery processes solely operate through restore commands within TSM on a test network separated from production systems.

SMARTtsm – with a zero-impact on production systems – features transparent recovery processes in a separate space.

Integrity check on recovered databases

For the first time in the market, SMARTtsm integrates automated, full-server recovery processes with comprehensive integrity checks into recovered databases. Database engines like Exchange, Oracle, MS SQL are supported by wizards in SMARTtsm as well as Windows file systems. Using the recovery wizards, Admins can single-handed orchestrate automated, full-server recovery processes with integrity checks.

Optimize poor recovery times

Lengthy recovery processes can prove fatal to the business. SMARTtsm continuously tracks recovery time as server recoveries execute daily, weekly, monthly etc. SMARTtsm reports when recovery of a mission-critical server fails to meet the contract, for instance 8 hours as opposed to the recent test of 47 hours.

Detect faulty domain backups

A complete MS Exchange recovery requires a valid recovery of Active Directory beforehand. SMARTtsm correctly plans co-recovery of Active Directory and the Exchange server environment. Test results help Admins identifying preventive and corrective actions in the backup configuration.

Spot unrecoverable database backups

It is impossible to recovery the SAP ERP environment or a Production Management System if an underlying Oracle or MS SQL database – for any reason - fails to rebuild following the restore from TSM.

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Using isolated low-cost test platforms, SMARTtsm continuously runs recovery of mission-critical environments, including O/S, application front-ends and the underlying databases. The unique integrity analysis executes to validate integrity of rebuilt databases retrieved from TSM.

Fatal conflicts in database backups

IT consultants, application owners and experts introduce changes which can have fatal impact on TSM backup processes and backup’s consistency. Experience reports that TSM Admins are unaware of changes exposing the business to risk. SMARTtsm X-rays the server backups in TSM, helping Admins to detect risks preventing successful recovery processes or recovery times unaligned with targets.

SLA-based server recovery schedules

The SMARTtsm Management Console, RMC, contains a Service Level Agreement (SLA) module which controls all recovery tests of production servers associated with a SLA contract. For instance, in SLA contract stating a test frequency of 50 times per year and a recovery time of 8 hours, SMARTtsm ensures the mission-critical server’s backup is tested weekly. Furthermore, RMC reports if recovery time aligns with the SLA on 8 hours.

Fastest shortcut to sandbox platform

Need to (re)produce a sandbox or test server with the most recent data from the production system? SMARTtsm is the most cost-efficient shortcut to clone the production system to serve as an interim development environment, separated from production systems. And with free benefits: the production server’s backup is validated at the same time.

Fast testing on dissimilar equipment

SMARTtsm fuels massive server recovery tests on tight budgets. Test platforms are dissimilar from production configuration and runs recovery processes of various production servers onto the very same, low-cost storage.