How to Install and Configure TSM LANFree Backup by using Storage Agent - Part 1

IBM Tivoli Storage Manager for Storage Area Networks is a feature of Tivoli Storage Manager that enables LAN-free client data movement. This feature allows the client system to directly write data to, or read data from, storage devices attached to a storage area network (SAN), instead of passing or receiving the information over the network. Data movement is thereby off-loaded from the LAN and from the Tivoli Storage Manager server, making network bandwidth available for other uses. For instance, using the SAN for client data movement decreases the load on the Tivoli Storage Manager server and allows it to support a greater number of concurrent client connections.

TSM Storage Agent Overview.

The storage agent can support several clients while installed on only one of the clients. You can install the storage agent on a client machine that shares storage resources with the Tivoli Storage Manager server or on a client machine that does not share storage resources but is connected to a client machine that does share storage resources with the Tivoli Storage Manager server.  You must specify the LANFREECOMMMETHOD option in the client system options file (dsm.sys) to allow the client machine (that shares storage resources) to communicate with the storage agent. 


A Tivoli Storage Manager server, acting as a library manager, controls the storage devices. This server may be the server working in conjunction with the storage agent or another Tivoli Storage Manager server in the enterprise. The Tivoli Storage Manager server keeps track of the metadata that the client has stored. The metadata, such as policy information and file name and size, is passed over the LAN connection between the storage agent and server.

TSM Storage Agent by IBM

The storage agent communicates with the server to obtain and store database information and to coordinate device and volume access. The server and client coordinate and negotiate data access through the SAN. The client will use the storage agent for operations where appropriate. For example, if a SAN path is defined, the client (by means of the storage agent) transfers data on that path. If a failure occurs on the SAN path, failover occurs and the client uses its LAN connection to the Tivoli Storage Manager server and moves the client data over the LAN.

There are cases when the storage agent can send the data directly to the server using the LAN control paths between the storage agent and the server. An example of this would be a LAN-free storage pool that is updated to read-only after the client connects to the server and obtains its initial policy information. The storage agent, instead of failing the operation, will send the data to the server, and, providing that the storage hierarchy is configured so that the next storage pool destination is available, the server will handle the operation. You can also prevent data from transferring over the LAN by specifying the Tivoli Storage Manager server parameters DATAREADPATH and DATAWRITEPATH with the REGISTER NODE or UPDATE NODE commands for the desired node.Tivoli Storage Manager supports SAN-attached device sharing in one of the following ways.

Also Read: Installation & Configuration of IBM Spectrum Protect (TSM) Server

Planning to Install 

 You can set up IBM Tivoli Storage Manager for Storage Area Networks in a number of environments. Planning the system configuration provides a smooth transition through system setup and into production. As part of your planning, you need to identify the following:
  • Which environment to implement.
  • Devices to be used for LAN-free data movement.
  • The clients that will use LAN-free data movement.
  • The server that will manage particular clients' data.
The library used for the LAN-free enabled device. If the library is a Tivoli Storage Manager shared library, you must identify the Tivoli Storage Manager server that is the library manager. If the library is an externally managed library using StorageTek ACSLS, you must identify the control point.

Next, Install and Configure TSM Storage Agent steps - Part 2

1 Response to "How to Install and Configure TSM LANFree Backup by using Storage Agent - Part 1"

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