IBM Tivoli Storage Manager
Encyclopedia
IBM
Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM or ITSM) is a centralized, policy-based, enterprise class, data backup and recovery package. The software enables the user to insert objects not only via backup
, but also through space management and archive
tools. It also allows retrieval of the same data via similar restore, recall, and retrieve methods.
This product is part of the IBM TotalStorage suite of products and is unrelated to Tivoli Framework.
The product was known as ADSTAR Distributed Storage Manager (ADSM) before its 1999 re-branding, and was originally known as Workstation Data Save Facility (WDSF).
Actual user data is managed via a cascading hierarchy of storage media (Primary Storage Pools) presented as raw devices (UNIX), filesystem containers (Windows and Linux), streaming tape or optical media. Additionally, emulated tape from a Virtual Tape Library
or EMC
Centera WORM archival device are supported. Duplicate copies (Backupsets or Copy Storage Pools) of any subset of data may be created on sequential media for redundancy or off-site management.
The 5.5 release of the TSM Server is supported on AIX, HP-UX
, Linux
, Solaris, Windows Server
, and z/OS
. The current 5.5 release of the TSM Client is supported on NetWare, Mac OS
, AIX, HP-UX, Linux, z/OS, Solaris, and Windows 32/64-bit.
The 6.1 release of the TSM Server is supported on AIX, HP-UX, Linux, Solaris, and Windows Server. The current 6.1 release of the TSM Client is supported on the same operating systems as 5.5. TSM 6.3 was released in October 21, 2011
Further, a separate method is provided by the B/A client which is known as archive (and retrieve). This method generates groupings of objects to be retained as a single unit. This still differs from traditional full/incremental style backup products in that the files are stored separately or in smaller aggregates rather than as a monolithic image. Additionally, there is no provision for an incremental archive.
Other data injectors include policy-based hierarchical storage management
(HSM) components for AIX, Linux and Windows. These allow migration of data from production disk into one or more of the TSM storage hierarchies while maintaining transparent access to that data by the use of DMAPI
or NTFS reparse points.
Finally, many applications provide or are provided with TSM API connections allowing the storage of databases, mail systems, system backups and even arbitrary user data within TSM's repository. Aside from TSM's UNIX HSM product, only the "Backup" and "Archive" management facilities are accessed through the client API.
ITSM utilizes two special-purpose agents. First is the LAN-Free Storage Agent. This is a limited function TSM server which is configured as a library client and uses server-to-server communication to coordinate the use of storage resources which are configured to TSM but which are also presented to the storage agent. Usually this LAN-free
and server-free backup
agent is installed on the specific client; however, it is network accessible and could be utilized to bypass network bottlenecks. One example would be to connect via infiniband
between two Bladecenter chassis, where one has SAN attachment to tape, and the other does not. This could bypass a limited ethernet bandwidth without having to move the TSM server instance.
The second is the NDMP API. NDMP is used by NetApp and other network attached storage (NAS
) to allow tape access to the appliance itself rather than having to back it up via an attached NAS client. TSM supports NDMP v3 and v4, with data transiting the LAN or allowing the appliance direct access to shared tape.
IBM Tivoli Storage Manager also provides a method to back up Microsoft SharePoint 2003/2007, via an IBM-rebranded version of the DocAve product from AvePoint. AvePoint markets their DocAve product separately, but IBM has an OEM agreement that allows IBM to remarket the product.
DB2
- As a major internally developed product, DB2 contains its own direct connection into the TSM API.
adsmpipe - an unsupported tool provided by IBM through its RedBook
site for piping data directly into TSM. Commonly used to back up MySQL
Zmanda Recovery Manager
- a MySQL backup product integrated with TSM provided by Zmanda
Data Protector for MySQL - software to back up MySQL to TSM provided by repostor MySQL
Data Protector for PostgreSQL - software to back up PostgreSQL to TSM provided by repostor postgreSQL
Data Protector for Firebird/Interbase - software to back up Firebird/Interbase databases to TSM provided by repostor Firebird
Interbase
Data Protector for Sybase - software to back up Sybase databases to TSM provided by repostor sybase
Data Protector for SQLanywhere - oftware to back up SQLanywhere databases to TSM provided by repostor SQLanywhere
Data Protector for Progress - software to back up Progress databases to TSM provided by repostor Progress
Data Protector for Ingres - software to back up Ingres databases to TSM provided by repostor Ingres
ADINT - developed by IBM Germany in Entwicklung by the Enterprise Service Division (ESD) as a "Support Offering" to back up SAP MaxDB directly into TSM.
Archive Backup Client for OpenVMS - A product by STORServer Inc. to back up OpenVMS systems into TSM. With ABC you can back up, archive, restore, query and manage OpenVMS files stored on TSM servers as a logical extension to the on-line OpenVMS ODS-2 or ODS-5 file systems.
STORServer Data Protection for Oracle Rdb on OpenVMS - A product by STORServer Inc. to back up Oracle on OpenVMS into TSM.
STORServer Appliance for VMware Consolidated Backup - A product by STORServer Inc. to back up VMware to TSM Servers.
CBMR / TBMR - A product by Cristie sold as a bare metal restore (BMR) tool for Linux, Solaris, HP-UX and Windows using TSM as a datastore.
Data Protection for Microsoft SharePoint - IBM Tivoli Storage Manager also provids backup method to Microsoft SharePoint, this is with integration of AvePoint DocAve. So TDP For SharePoint to take backup of MSP2003 and MSP2007 is now also ready with few limitations (FULL Farm, Platform, Site Level, Sub-Site Level and Granular restores are possible but for a disaster recovery point of view this product is not sufficient to restore SSP and FULL DBs.
Caminosoft Managed Server, Tivoli Edition - Hierarchical Storage Management software for file system archiving of seldom accessed files to TSM. Supports N series, Netapp, Windows, Linux, and Netware.
TapeTrack - A tape tracking software product that interfaces with TSM to provide end-to-end asset management of tape volumes.
The TSM database (through release 5.5) is a bespoke B+ tree database with an architectural limit of approximately 530GB, and 13GB of log space. Although the TSM database uses many of the same underlying technologies as IBM's DB2, has an SQL engine (though for read-access only), and supports access through ODBC, it used this custom database through release 5.5. Starting with TSM 6.1, released in May, 2009, TSM uses a DB2 instance as its database. This removes the previous architectural limits.
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM or ITSM) is a centralized, policy-based, enterprise class, data backup and recovery package. The software enables the user to insert objects not only via backup
Backup
In information technology, a backup or the process of backing up is making copies of data which may be used to restore the original after a data loss event. The verb form is back up in two words, whereas the noun is backup....
, but also through space management and archive
Archive
An archive is a collection of historical records, or the physical place they are located. Archives contain primary source documents that have accumulated over the course of an individual or organization's lifetime, and are kept to show the function of an organization...
tools. It also allows retrieval of the same data via similar restore, recall, and retrieve methods.
This product is part of the IBM TotalStorage suite of products and is unrelated to Tivoli Framework.
The product was known as ADSTAR Distributed Storage Manager (ADSM) before its 1999 re-branding, and was originally known as Workstation Data Save Facility (WDSF).
Product details
TSM maintains a relational database (limit 534GB through TSM v5.5, 2TB with TSM v6.2+) and recovery log (aka transaction log, limit 13 GB through TSM v5.5, 128GB with TSM v6.1+) for logging, configuration, statistical information, and object metadata. v5.5 DB pages are always 4KB, and partitions every 4MB. Single row inserts only. On average, 20GB of space is consumed for every 25 million objects. Shallow directory structures use less TSM DB space than deeper paths. This database may generally be queried via an emulated SQL-98 compliant interface, or through undocumented SHOW, CREATE or DELETE commands.Actual user data is managed via a cascading hierarchy of storage media (Primary Storage Pools) presented as raw devices (UNIX), filesystem containers (Windows and Linux), streaming tape or optical media. Additionally, emulated tape from a Virtual Tape Library
Virtual Tape Library
A virtual tape library is a data storage virtualization technology used typically for backup and recovery purposes. A VTL presents a storage component as tape libraries or tape drives for use with existing backup software.Virtualizing the disk storage as tape allows integration of VTLs with...
or EMC
EMC Corporation
EMC Corporation , a Financial Times Global 500, Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company, develops, delivers and supports information infrastructure and virtual infrastructure hardware, software, and services. EMC is headquartered in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, USA.Former Intel executive Richard Egan and his...
Centera WORM archival device are supported. Duplicate copies (Backupsets or Copy Storage Pools) of any subset of data may be created on sequential media for redundancy or off-site management.
The 5.5 release of the TSM Server is supported on AIX, HP-UX
HP-UX
HP-UX is Hewlett-Packard's proprietary implementation of the Unix operating system, based on UNIX System V and first released in 1984...
, Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
, Solaris, Windows Server
Windows Server
Windows Server is a brand name for a group of server operating systems released by Microsoft Corporation. All are part of Microsoft Servers.- Members :This brand includes the following software:* Windows 2000 Server* Windows Server 2003...
, and z/OS
Z/OS
z/OS is a 64-bit operating system for mainframe computers, produced by IBM. It derives from and is the successor to OS/390, which in turn followed a string of MVS versions.Starting with earliest:*OS/VS2 Release 2 through Release 3.8...
. The current 5.5 release of the TSM Client is supported on NetWare, Mac OS
Mac OS
Mac OS is a series of graphical user interface-based operating systems developed by Apple Inc. for their Macintosh line of computer systems. The Macintosh user experience is credited with popularizing the graphical user interface...
, AIX, HP-UX, Linux, z/OS, Solaris, and Windows 32/64-bit.
The 6.1 release of the TSM Server is supported on AIX, HP-UX, Linux, Solaris, and Windows Server. The current 6.1 release of the TSM Client is supported on the same operating systems as 5.5. TSM 6.3 was released in October 21, 2011
Components
Tivoli Storage Manager as a system is made up of several different components. The major components of TSM include: TSM Server, TSM Client, TSM Storage Agent, and TSM Administration Center. Each of these provides important functionality to a Tivoli Storage Manager system.Data Sources
The most common data source for TSM is the TSM Backup/Archive Client, which allows backup and restore of data "selectively," and "incrementally". This is generally known as "Progressive Incremental" or "Incremental Forever" as each unique client+filespace+path+file combination is separately tracked for retention.Further, a separate method is provided by the B/A client which is known as archive (and retrieve). This method generates groupings of objects to be retained as a single unit. This still differs from traditional full/incremental style backup products in that the files are stored separately or in smaller aggregates rather than as a monolithic image. Additionally, there is no provision for an incremental archive.
Other data injectors include policy-based hierarchical storage management
Hierarchical storage management
Hierarchical storage management is a data storage technique which automatically moves data between high-cost and low-cost storage media. HSM systems exist because high-speed storage devices, such as hard disk drive arrays, are more expensive than slower devices, such as optical discs and magnetic...
(HSM) components for AIX, Linux and Windows. These allow migration of data from production disk into one or more of the TSM storage hierarchies while maintaining transparent access to that data by the use of DMAPI
DMAPI
Data Management API is the interface defined in the X/Open document "Systems Management: Data Storage Management API" dated February 1997. XFS, IBM JFS, VxFS, AdvFS and GPFS file systems support DMAPI for Hierarchical Storage Management ....
or NTFS reparse points.
Finally, many applications provide or are provided with TSM API connections allowing the storage of databases, mail systems, system backups and even arbitrary user data within TSM's repository. Aside from TSM's UNIX HSM product, only the "Backup" and "Archive" management facilities are accessed through the client API.
Subproducts
The naming convention is to prefix every product name with "IBM Tivoli Storage Manager":- Client aka Backup/Archive Client for most major operating systems at supported versions
- Server for most major server operating systems
- for Advanced Copy Services (Formerly ITSM for Hardware)- Hardware based snapshotSnapshot (computer storage)In computer systems, a snapshot is the state of a system at a particular point in time. The term was coined as an analogy to that in photography. It can refer to an actual copy of the state of a system or to a capability provided by certain systems....
s for major database backups. Although it still exists as a product today the newer releases are re-branded as FCM (FlashCopy Manager) - for Copy Services - Windows snapshots for ExchangeMicrosoft Exchange ServerMicrosoft Exchange Server is the server side of a client–server, collaborative application product developed by Microsoft. It is part of the Microsoft Servers line of server products and is used by enterprises using Microsoft infrastructure products...
and MSSQL. - for Databases - An API for OracleOracle DatabaseThe Oracle Database is an object-relational database management system produced and marketed by Oracle Corporation....
RMANRMANOracle Recovery Manager , a command-line and Oracle Enterprise Manager-based tool, is the Oracle-preferred method for efficiently backing up and recovering an Oracle database. RMAN is designed to work intimately with the server, providing block-level corruption detection during backup and restore...
and a GUI & CLI tool for MSSQL backups. - for Data retention - A zOS client to manage long-term archiving of data.
- for Enterprise Resource Planning - - Allows online backup of SAP R/3 stored in Oracle or DB2. Formerly backint developed by IBM Germany in Entwicklung by the Enterprise Service Division (ESD) as a "Support Offering" to back up SAP R/3 directly into TSM. This product was acquired by Tivoli as Tivoli Data Protection for R/3.
- for Mail - These are external applications that tie into the API for Lotus Domino (aka Notes) and Microsoft Exchange for online backups.
- for SharePoint - This is a repackaged copy of DocAve, still marketed by OEM AvePoint
- for Space Management - (HSMHierarchical storage managementHierarchical storage management is a data storage technique which automatically moves data between high-cost and low-cost storage media. HSM systems exist because high-speed storage devices, such as hard disk drive arrays, are more expensive than slower devices, such as optical discs and magnetic...
) for Linux and AIX. The Linux/Unix product uses the "MIGDESTINATION" hierarchy within TSM and has objects managed as "SPACEMG" types. - for HSM for Windows - (HSMHierarchical storage managementHierarchical storage management is a data storage technique which automatically moves data between high-cost and low-cost storage media. HSM systems exist because high-speed storage devices, such as hard disk drive arrays, are more expensive than slower devices, such as optical discs and magnetic...
) for Windows. The Windows product is OpenStore for File ServersOpenStore for File Servers"IBM Tivoli Storage Manager HSM for Windows" is an HSM product for Microsoft Windows which allows policy based archival of files out of NTFS and into IBM Tivoli Storage Manager. In its place is left a stub file with offline bit set and a matching reparse point. Access to the file is transparently...
produced by INTERCOPE GmbH. - for Storage Area NetworkStorage area networkA storage area network is a dedicated network that provides access to consolidated, block level data storage. SANs are primarily used to make storage devices, such as disk arrays, tape libraries, and optical jukeboxes, accessible to servers so that the devices appear like locally attached devices...
s (SAN) - aka "LAN Free Storage Agent" This is a modified version of the TSM Server itself, offering no local TSM Database. Configuration is purely for server-to-server library sharing. This allows the agent to write to tapes managed by the primary TSM server without having to pass data over the network. - for System Backup and Recovery - This is a standalone product for AIX bare metal recovery. The original name was Sysback/6000, produced by Tony Johnson in the 1990s and sold by IBM as a service offering through IBM Global Services. Sysback can back up and restore files, filesystems, volume groups, and entire systems to local or remote disk, local or remote tape, NIM servers, and TSM. Current versions can also recover systems via the files backed up using the TSM B/A client. There is a major branch of this product. When Tony Johnson left IBM in 1998, he started a company and product named Storix. Storix is feature rich and supports AIX and Linux, has a GUI management interface, and is very similar in origins to Sysback. Storix actively competes with IBM's Sysback due differing price structures and features.
Special APIs
Administrative functions are accessed through the IBM command line tool, via IBM's Websphere Portal application known as the "Administration Center", or via ODBC. Also there are third-party admin API clients, for example TSMManager.ITSM utilizes two special-purpose agents. First is the LAN-Free Storage Agent. This is a limited function TSM server which is configured as a library client and uses server-to-server communication to coordinate the use of storage resources which are configured to TSM but which are also presented to the storage agent. Usually this LAN-free
LAN-free backup
A LAN-free backup is a backup of server data to a shared, central storage device without sending the data over the local area network . It is usually achieved by using a storage area network ....
and server-free backup
Server-free backup
IBM introduced Server-Free backup with IBM Tivoli Storage Manager 5.1 in 2002 for Windows 2000 servers only.*Server-Free backup functionality were included in IBM Tivoli Storage Manager version 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3, but not in 5.4 or later, but are supported in 5.4 and later.Server-Free data...
agent is installed on the specific client; however, it is network accessible and could be utilized to bypass network bottlenecks. One example would be to connect via infiniband
InfiniBand
InfiniBand is a switched fabric communications link used in high-performance computing and enterprise data centers. Its features include high throughput, low latency, quality of service and failover, and it is designed to be scalable...
between two Bladecenter chassis, where one has SAN attachment to tape, and the other does not. This could bypass a limited ethernet bandwidth without having to move the TSM server instance.
The second is the NDMP API. NDMP is used by NetApp and other network attached storage (NAS
Network-attached storage
Network-attached storage is file-level computer data storage connected to a computer network providing data access to heterogeneous clients. NAS not only operates as a file server, but is specialized for this task either by its hardware, software, or configuration of those elements...
) to allow tape access to the appliance itself rather than having to back it up via an attached NAS client. TSM supports NDMP v3 and v4, with data transiting the LAN or allowing the appliance direct access to shared tape.
IBM Tivoli Storage Manager also provides a method to back up Microsoft SharePoint 2003/2007, via an IBM-rebranded version of the DocAve product from AvePoint. AvePoint markets their DocAve product separately, but IBM has an OEM agreement that allows IBM to remarket the product.
Interface products
- IBM TSM for Storage Archive Manager - This is a marketing name for TSM Enterprise Edition features which help maintain archive retention for regulatory purposes.
- IBM TSM for NDMPNDMPNDMP, or Network Data Management Protocol, is a protocol invented by the NetApp and Legato companies, meant to transport data between NAS devices and backup devices...
- this is a marketing name for TSM EE features allowing both LAN and LAN-free backups of network attached storage (NAS). Specifically, NetApp filerNetApp filerIn computer storage, NetApp filer, known also as NetApp Fabric-Attached Storage , or NetApp's network attached storage device are NetApp's offering in the area of Storage Systems. A FAS functions in an enterprise-class Storage area network as well as a networked storage appliance...
s or EMC Celerra datamovers are supported; however, any NDMP v3 or NDMP v4 client should be supported.
- IBM Tivoli Storage Manager Operational Reporting - This is a portion of the TSM MMC for Windows which can generate webpages and email out of SQL queries and simple processing of that data. Custom SQL can be added; however, the reporting tool provides no trending or graphing functionality. This is seen as one of the major faults of TSM.
- The Disaster Recovery Manager (DRM), is part of the "Enterprise Edition" of the product. This is a set of commands which aid in the management of offsite secondary copies of data, the TSM Database backups required to access those media, and the configuration data required to recover the TSM database in case of a loss.
- Power Administrator for TSM - Complete and easy to use GUI for administration, management, monitoring, reporting and error analysis of TSM environments. Includes a report builder to define own reports with many different elements inside. Capable to send SNMP-Traps and emails outside for new TSM messages, generated reports or Trouble Tickets.
- Operator for TSM(OTSM), Debriefing Software's Windows based gui for managing one or more TSM servers. Allows easy handling of offsite volumes through animated step-by-step instructions.
- Wizards Storage Portal - TSM Plug-in, Debriefing Software's cloud based monitoring and reporting tool for TSM and SVC(SAN Volume Controller). Includes 24x7 monitoring, user defined dashboards, graphic reporting, remote TSM-management and integration with Operator for TSM.
Non-Tivoli API clients
SQL-Backtrack - A product by BMC to back up a variety of database products into TSM.DB2
IBM DB2
The IBM DB2 Enterprise Server Edition is a relational model database server developed by IBM. It primarily runs on Unix , Linux, IBM i , z/OS and Windows servers. DB2 also powers the different IBM InfoSphere Warehouse editions...
- As a major internally developed product, DB2 contains its own direct connection into the TSM API.
adsmpipe - an unsupported tool provided by IBM through its RedBook
Redbook
Redbook is an American women's magazine published by the Hearst Corporation. It is one of the "Seven Sisters", a group of women's service magazines.-History:...
site for piping data directly into TSM. Commonly used to back up MySQL
MySQL
MySQL officially, but also commonly "My Sequel") is a relational database management system that runs as a server providing multi-user access to a number of databases. It is named after developer Michael Widenius' daughter, My...
Zmanda Recovery Manager
Zmanda Recovery Manager
Zmanda Recovery Manager is a perl-based utility used to automate backup and recovery of MySQL databases. It is released under the GNU General Public License....
- a MySQL backup product integrated with TSM provided by Zmanda
Zmanda
Zmanda Inc. is an Open Source and Cloud backup software company. It is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, USA.. In partnership with open source companies such as Sun and MySQL, the company contributes to many open source projects.-Open Source Projects:...
Data Protector for MySQL - software to back up MySQL to TSM provided by repostor MySQL
Data Protector for PostgreSQL - software to back up PostgreSQL to TSM provided by repostor postgreSQL
PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL, often simply Postgres, is an object-relational database management system available for many platforms including Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, MS Windows and Mac OS X. It is released under the PostgreSQL License, which is an MIT-style license, and is thus free and open source software...
Data Protector for Firebird/Interbase - software to back up Firebird/Interbase databases to TSM provided by repostor Firebird
Firebird (database server)
Firebird is an open source SQL relational database management system that runs on Linux, Windows, and a variety of Unix. The database forked from Borland's open source edition of InterBase in 2000, but since Firebird 1.5 the code has been largely rewritten ....
Interbase
InterBase
InterBase is a relational database management system currently developed and marketed by Embarcadero Technologies. InterBase is distinguished from other DBMSs by its small footprint, close to zero administration requirements, and multi-generational architecture...
Data Protector for Sybase - software to back up Sybase databases to TSM provided by repostor sybase
Sybase
Sybase, an SAP company, is an enterprise software and services company offering software to manage, analyze, and mobilize information, using relational databases, analytics and data warehousing solutions and mobile applications development platforms....
Data Protector for SQLanywhere - oftware to back up SQLanywhere databases to TSM provided by repostor SQLanywhere
Data Protector for Progress - software to back up Progress databases to TSM provided by repostor Progress
OpenEdge Database
The Openedge Database is a relational database . It was formerly known as the Progress RDBMS.see also:* Progress Software Corporation* OpenEdge Advanced Business Language...
Data Protector for Ingres - software to back up Ingres databases to TSM provided by repostor Ingres
Ingres
Ingres Database is a commercially supported, open-source SQL relational database management system intended to support large commercial and government applications...
ADINT - developed by IBM Germany in Entwicklung by the Enterprise Service Division (ESD) as a "Support Offering" to back up SAP MaxDB directly into TSM.
Archive Backup Client for OpenVMS - A product by STORServer Inc. to back up OpenVMS systems into TSM. With ABC you can back up, archive, restore, query and manage OpenVMS files stored on TSM servers as a logical extension to the on-line OpenVMS ODS-2 or ODS-5 file systems.
STORServer Data Protection for Oracle Rdb on OpenVMS - A product by STORServer Inc. to back up Oracle on OpenVMS into TSM.
STORServer Appliance for VMware Consolidated Backup - A product by STORServer Inc. to back up VMware to TSM Servers.
CBMR / TBMR - A product by Cristie sold as a bare metal restore (BMR) tool for Linux, Solaris, HP-UX and Windows using TSM as a datastore.
Data Protection for Microsoft SharePoint - IBM Tivoli Storage Manager also provids backup method to Microsoft SharePoint, this is with integration of AvePoint DocAve. So TDP For SharePoint to take backup of MSP2003 and MSP2007 is now also ready with few limitations (FULL Farm, Platform, Site Level, Sub-Site Level and Granular restores are possible but for a disaster recovery point of view this product is not sufficient to restore SSP and FULL DBs.
Caminosoft Managed Server, Tivoli Edition - Hierarchical Storage Management software for file system archiving of seldom accessed files to TSM. Supports N series, Netapp, Windows, Linux, and Netware.
TapeTrack - A tape tracking software product that interfaces with TSM to provide end-to-end asset management of tape volumes.
History
TSM descended from the Workstation DataSave Facility (WDSF) project done at IBM's Almaden Research Center around 1990. WDSF's original purpose was to back up PC/DOS, OS/2, and AIX workstation data onto a VM/CMS (and later MVS) server.The TSM database (through release 5.5) is a bespoke B+ tree database with an architectural limit of approximately 530GB, and 13GB of log space. Although the TSM database uses many of the same underlying technologies as IBM's DB2, has an SQL engine (though for read-access only), and supports access through ODBC, it used this custom database through release 5.5. Starting with TSM 6.1, released in May, 2009, TSM uses a DB2 instance as its database. This removes the previous architectural limits.