IBM TSM Interview Questions & Answers

Question 1. What Are The Server Configuration Files? Explain In Detail?

Answer :

dsmserv.opt, dsmserv.dsk, devconfig.out, volhist.out

dsmserv.opt: All the server configuration Information

dsmserv.dsk: All db, log volumes paths

devconfig.out: All device configuration information like device class, drives configuration info.

volhist.out: All sequential volumes information.

Question 2. What Is Reclamation, Migration? How Will You Do It Manually?

Answer :

Reclamation: It is the process moving the active data from fragmented volumes to single or few no of volumes. It makes the fragmented volumes reusable.

Command: Reclaim stg poolname threshold=number

duration=minutes offsitereclaimimit=no of volumes

Migration:This is used to migrate files from one stgpool to the next storage pool

Command: Migrate stgpool poolname lowmig=number duration=minutes reclaim=yes/no.

Question 3. Mention The Reasons For Migration Fail?

Answer :

If there is no volumes in the next stgpool or if any mig delay parameter is mentioned migration effects

Question 4. Have You Ever Implemented New Tsm Server? What Is The Process?

Answer :

NO but i know the complete procedure and you have to say about complete structure like Installing tsm server, creating stgpools, defining policy management.

Question 5. What Is The Procedure To Take Backup From New Backup/archive Client?

Answer :

First specify the nodename in the newly installed client dsm.opt, login to the client and take the backup what u want

Question 6. Is There Any Other Process Other Than Show Logpin?

Answer :

What ever the action performed in the server is process and show log pin is one of it.

Question 7. How Will You Configure Schedule In Client?

Answer :

By using command def schedule domname schedname

ty=c action=incre startt= startd= duration= durunits=……

Question 8. What Will You Do When Volumes Went Offline?

Answer :

first i will check in the activity log what is the reason and i will manually update the access to online update volume volume name access= online

Question 9. How Will You Do The Restore To A Client System If You Have Access?

Answer :

Restore path

Restore path –pick (To restore a particular file)

Question 10. What Is The Maximum Size Of Recovery Log?

Answer :

13 GB

Question 11. What Will You Do If Recovery Log Reaches 98%?

Answer :

Issue show logpin command and cancel all the inactive processes that are pinning the log.

Question 12. How Many Servers & Clients Do You Have In Your Company?

Answer :

8 servers, 1500 clients.

Question 13. What Are Your Daily Activities?

Answer :

Health check of TSM servers.

Checking schedule status, if any missed or failed schedules resolving the problem.

Question 14. Mention Any Other Commands Other Than Q Db, Q Log?

Answer :

Using SELECT commands we can do

Question 15. What Are The Parameters In Copygroup?

Answer :

verexit, verdelete, retextra, retonly, retver.

Question 16. What Is Command To Take Db Backup?

Answer :

Backup DB devc=deviceclass type=full/incremental/snapshot.

Question 17. Do You Have Idea About Exchange, Tdp Oracle, Tdp Sql?

Answer :

Yes I know about TDP SQL

Question 18. How Will You Take Scheduling Backup In Tdp Sql?

Answer :

define shed domainname shedname action= command object=”c:\sqlfull.cmd” startday=” “ starttime=” “ duration=” “ durationunits=min

Question 19. What Type Of Library Model You Are Using?

Answer :

3582 MODEL

Question 20. How Many Drives Do You Have?

Answer :

6 DRIVES

Question 21. What Is The Model Of The Tape You Are Using? What Is Its Size?

Answer :

LTO 3

Size: 400 GB, when compressed 800 GB

Question 22. Is You Library Is Shared? How You Shared It?

Answer :

YES

Define library library_name library type= manual/scsi/349x autolabel=yes/no shared=yes / no

Question 23. Is Your Library Is Logically Shared Or Physically Shared?

Answer :

Logically shared

Question 24. If Logically Shared Is All Drives Accessible To All Servers?

Answer :

NO

Question 25. How Will You Checkin & Checkout Volumes In Library?

Answer :

checkin libvolume library_name volume_name search=no/yes/bulk status=private/scratch

Checkout libvolume library_name volume_name remove=bulk/yes/no

Question 26. What Is Drm?

Answer :

DRM (Disaster Recovery Manager) if any thing happen TSM server then we need to restore the TSM server for that purpose we need to use

DRM DAILY OPERATION:-

Backup of the primary storage pool to copy storage pool

Backup the TSM data base

Move DR Media status

Run the prepare command

Transport the DR media offsite

Return empty media from offsite

DRM life cycle:-

Mountable:- it is valid data

Non mountable:- it is valid data can’t be access

Courier:- ready to transfer

Vault: - it is offsite

Retrieve vault:-return to offsite to onsite

Courier retrieve:- transfer from onsite

Onsite retrieve:- it is in onsite

Question 27. How Will You Move Copy Storage Pools To Offsite In Drm?

Answer :

Move drmedia medianame where state=courier tostate=vault

Question 28. Lanfree Backup

Answer :

if the data to be transferred more than 150GB than 

LAN free backup steps:-

Install TSM sever in SAN environment with library

Configure library in shared mode (def lib shared=yes)

We have to install storage agent software in Client machine .then we act as a server

Then we have to register the storage agent as server in TSM server

Def server storage agent server serverpassword= ** hla= IP address lla= port no.,

Configuration files:- DSMSTOPT ,   DSMCONFIG.OUT,     DSM.SYS/OPT we use in lanfree backup.

Question 29. What Are Tdp Oracle Agent Utilities?

Answer :

Tdpoconf: The tdpoconf utility is used for password maintenance and general Data Protection for Oracle setup and maintenance.

Tdposync: Use the tdposync utility to delete the Oracle backups on the Tivoli Storage Manager server which are not in the RMAN catalog. By thus removing unwanted objects in Tivoli Storage Manager storage, you can reclaim space on the server. This utility allows you to repair such discrepancies between the Tivoli Storage Manager Server and the RMAN catalog.

Question 30. How To Update The Tdp Oracle Node Password?

Answer :

tdpoconf password

Question 31. What Are Important Configuration Files?

Answer :

tdpoconf.cfg, dsm.opt, dsm.sys

Question 32. What Is Sbt_tape In Rman Backup?

Answer :

device type

Question 33. What Is The Use Of Tdposync?

Answer :

Use the tdposync utility to delete the Oracle backups on the Tivoli Storage Manager server which are not in the RMAN catalog. By thus removing unwanted objects in Tivoli Storage Manager storage, you can reclaim space on the server. This utility allows you to repair such discrepancies between the Tivoli Storage Manager Server and the RMAN catalog.

Question 34. Explain About Backup Copy Group Parameters?

Answer :

Whether the file exist on the node will affect which rules are used to expire the file copies if the files exists.

VEREX: specifies number of file copies or versions to keep. Includes inactive and active files.

VERDEL: specifies number of versions to maintain after files have been deleted from client system

RETEX: specifies the no of days to keep inactive file versions . RETON: Specifies the number of days to retain the last backup version of a file that has been deleted from the client file system.

Serialization: specifies how tsm handles the client data that to be backed up

Question 35. Define Server Command?

Answer :

def server storage angent name server password= passwd hla=xx lla=xx

Question 36. Explain About Cfgmgr?

Answer :

bringing define state to available state

if any hardware is connected to the server and is not detected ,then run cfgmgr

Question 37. Lanfree Node Drive Paths Are Offline, What Are The Actions You Will Take?

Answer :

update the drive to online and if still it is not online delete the path and againdef the \path delete the paths using rmdev and re-run cfgmgr and try to make them online by using defining drive path command again

Question 38. What Are Important Lanfree Parameters To Be Added In Dsm.sys?

Answer :

lanfreetcpport, lanfreetcpserveradress, enablelanfree yes, tcpport,tcpsereraddress,servername, commmethod tcpip, lanfreecommmethod tcpip

Question 39. How To Break The Plan File?

Answer :

by running this script command:pathcscript planexpl.vbs path of the plan file

Question 40. What Are Scripts Available In Plan File?

Answer :

2typess vb and awk.

Question 41. What Is The Use Of Dsmfmt And Dsmserv Format?

Answer :

dsmfmt create volumes in console/ dsmserv format means intializes the server database and log, dsmfmt create volumes in console.

Question 42. How To Restore Tsm Server Database Using Dbs/incr/full Database Backups?

Answer :

dsmserv restore db

Question 43. How To Restore Tsm Server Database Without Volhist File, Devconfig Files?

Answer :

you must recreate it before you can start the restore operation. The device configuration file must follow these conventions:

The commands must be in this order:

•  DEFINE SERVER (if you are using virtual volumes)
•  DEFINE DEVCLASS
•  DEFINE LIBRARY
•  DEFINE EXIT
•  DEFINE DRIVE "

Question 44. Explain About Drm Tape States? How To Change From One State To Other?

Answer :

mutable/not mountable/courier/vault/vault retrieve/courier retrieve/onsite retrieve//// move media volname were state=x to state=x 

Question 45. What Are Tsm Server Configuration Files And Explain About Them?

Answer :

devconfig.out, volh.out dsmserv.disk, dsmserv.opt

Question 46. What Are Tdp Sql/exchange/domino Configuration Files?

Answer :

tdpsql.cfg, dms.sys/domdsm.cfg,dsm.sys/tdpexc.cfg,dsm.sys

Question 47. How To Find The Scratch Count?

Answer :

select count(*) from libvol where status=scratch

Question 48. How To Update Drive/library Paths?

Answer :

update path servername drive name src=server dest=drive libr=libname device=device name online =yes update path servername librname src=server dest=libray device=device name online =yes

Found all the drives are taking 30mins time to dismount volume from Drive after the backup/restore/migration/reclamation or any process;

Question 49. Tape Stuck In Drive, How Do You Resolve It?

Answer :

Checkout the tape, power cycling the drive, raise the ticket to Hardware team.

Question 50. How To Checkin Cleaning Tape?

Answer :

checkin libvolume Libraryname volname status=cleaner cleanings=10/only for scsi libr checklabel=no/for cleaner it shud be no

Question 51. Explain About Search=yes/no/bulk Parameter In Checkin Command?

Answer :

No

Question 52. Specifies That Only The Named Volume Is Checked Into The Library.

Answer :

For SCSI libraries:

The server issues a request to have the volume inserted into a cartridge slot in the library or, if available, into an entry port. The cartridge slot or entry port is identified by its element address. For 349X libraries: The volume could already be in the library, or you could put it into the I/O station when prompted.

Yes- Specifies that the server searches the library for volumes to be checked in

Bulk -Specifies that the server searches the library's entry/exit ports for volumes that can be checked in automatically. This option only applies to SCSI libraries.

Question 53. How Does Expiration And Reclamation Are Co-related?

Answer :

After running Expiration, expired files are deleted from the database and by running reclamation moves fragmented data from one or more vols to filling or new volumes.

Question 54. Would Like To Run Backup Db Daily 4 Times; How Do You Configure?

Answer :

Depend on client requirements.

Question 55. When Do We Need To Use Maxscratch Parameter?

Answer :

To increase the volumes for the storage pools.

Question 56. What Is The Use Of Cache Migrates Files=yes For Disk Storage Pools?

Answer :

Restoration is quicker for the client.

Question 57. What Is The Use Of Reuse Delay Parameter? To Which Stroragepools We Use?

Answer :

After deleting the files from the tapes how many days it should wait before returning to the scratch.Copy storage pools.

Question 58. What Is The Use Of Schedule Prompting In Client Schedule Backups?

Answer :

Server will initiate the schedule process by contacting the client.

Question 59. What Is The Use Of Journal Based Backups?

Answer :

by installing this software we can take modified files and directory which are stored in that folder.

Question 60. How To Restore A Single File, Using The Image Backup?

Answer :

There is no chance of restoring single file in image backup. We have restore entire image.

Question 61. How To Find Out The Damaged Files In Storagepool Volumes? How To Restore A Damaged Tape?

Answer :

Audit vol volname preview=no

Restore vol volnme preview=yes

Restore vol volname copystg=copystgname

Question 62. What Are The Advantages Of Server To Server Communication?

Answer :

Export and import Command Routing and Enterprise management.

Question 63. Can We Create Server To Server Communication Between Server A Which Is 5.5 And Server B Which Is 6.2 ?

Answer :

yes

Question 64. What Is The Use Of Crossdefine Parameter?

Answer :

If cross def is on we can establish server to server communication.

Question 65. How To Configure Virtual Volumes? And What Is The Advantages Of It?

Answer :

First establish server to server communication in the both the servers and reg local node as server in in remote and then in local def server. Moving data through vaulting.

Question 66. What Are Daily Activities On Tsm?

Answer :

Check DB & recovery log, Volume management etc. explained earlier.

Question 67. If Your Dbspace Is Full Then What You Will Do?

Answer :

Add database volumes by the command line as TSM server will not work if DB is full.

Question 68. What Is Maximum Size Of Recovery Log?

Answer :

20 GB in TSM 5.3

Question 69. What Are The Primary And Secondary Storage Pool In Your Environment?

Answer :

Explain the Disk Pool and Tape Pools.

Question 70. What Are The Storage Devices You Have Worked On?

Answer :

Library IBM 3584, 3582 etc.

Question 71. What Is Reclamation?

Answer :

It is the process of moving the fragment data from one or more volumes to a different volume, so that the volumes being reclaimed can be used as scratch volumes in TSM again. By using this technique we can save a lot of space in TSM. This process is controlled by reclaim threshold parameter of the storage pool.

Question 72. What Is Collocation And Advantages Of It?

Answer :

Storing data of a client at minimal volumes. This will help in faster restores as less media mounts will be required during restore.

Question 73. Tell Something On Migration?

Answer :

Transferring data from disk to tape pool.

Question 74. What Kind Of Tape Library Is Attached To Your Tsm Server?

Answer :

IBM 3584

Question 75. Can You Brief Your Responsibilities On Tsm And Daily Activities?

Answer :

Check Schedule, DB & Recovery log, managing volumes. Explained earlier.

Question 76. Tell About Media Management You Are Doing?

Answer :

Preparing volumes. Labeling. Check in, check out etc.

Question 77. How You Will Prepare Scratch Volume?

Answer :

label libvol volume name.

Question 78. What Is Difference In Between Label And Checking?

Answer :

Labeling is naming vol. check in is inserting the vol to slot.

Question 79. What Exactly The Role Of Recovery Log?

Answer :

Storing the transaction, which is not committed to DB and are, required for consistency of TSM DB.

Question 80. What Is The Difference In Between Dsm.opt And Dsm.sys File?

Answer :

Dsm.opt file is the client file which contains the tsmservername pointing to dsm.sys.

Dsm.sys normally used in UNIX environment contains the server stanzas and the parameters like node name, management class and password access options.

Question 81. Can You Brief Your Activity On Tsm?

Answer :

Monitoring Schedules, DB and Recovery Log etc. Already explained.

Question 82. What Are The File Lookouts If Tsm Server Crashes?

Answer :

DEVCONFIG.OUT, VOLHIST.OUT, DSMSERV.OPT AND DSMSERV.DSK

Question 83. How You Will Check Dr Media?

Answer :

Move drmedia command is used.

Question 84. What Is Primary Storage Pool And Secondary Storage Pool?

Answer :

Disk pool, Tape pool.

Question 85. How Many Frames Are There In Your Environment?

Answer :

No answer.

Question 86. Which Library You Are Using?

Answer :

IBM 3584

Question 87. What Is Primary Storage Pool And Secondary Storage Pool In Your Environment?

Answer :

Disk storage pool, Tape storage pool

Question 88. What Is Prole Process (tsm)?

Answer :

Background process in TDP for hardware. (TDP for ESS).

Question 89. What Are Various Types Of Backups?

Answer :

Full, incremental, differential.

Question 90. What Is The Difference Between Backup An Archive?

Answer :

backup is for short period storage and where as archive is for long term storing your data Backup is having versions archive does not have versions and backup is full, incremental, differential where as archive is as it is snapshot.

Question 91. What Is The Difference Between Active And Inactive File (tsm)?

Answer :

Inactive, which not latest backup. Active which is latest backup.

Question 92. How Will You Take Backup In Tsm?

Answer :

dsmc i or dsmc sel.

Question 93. What Are Various Server Configuration Files?

Answer :

dsmserv.opt, volhist.out, devconfig.out, dsmserv.dsk.

Question 94. How To Check The Version Of Tsm?

Answer :

q status, q system

Question 95. Which Command Is Used To Check The Backup Status In Tsm?

Answer :

q event* *

Question 96. Which Are Tsm Configuration Files?

Answer :

dsmserv.opt, dsmserv.dsk,volhist.out, devconfig.out

Question 97. How Will You Change Password Of Tsm Server?

Answer :

set server password *****

Question 98. How Will You Identify Which Level Of Backup Taken?

Answer :

dsmc backup query

Question 99. Suppose I Have To Take Full Backup On Friday And Then Friday To Thursday Incremental And Then Full Backup?

Answer :

will be scheduled in crontab.

Question 100. Which Are The Systems Eligible For Incremental Backup?

Answer :

home directory of all users. (Which are frequently changed?)

Question 101. What Are The Different Types Of Storage Pools?

Answer :

1. primary stgpool---random stgpool ---sequential stgpool
2. copy stgpool
3. active stgpool

Question 102. How To Increase Cache Hit Ratio?

Answer :

by increasing the bufpoolsize

Question 103. Difference B/w V5 And V6.2?

Answer :

in ver6.2 we have deduplication option.

Question 104. What Are The Tools Required To Setup A Lan Free Configuration?

Answer :

Ba-client,storage agent, san boxes.

Question 105. Name The 4 Devt In Devc?

Answer :

file,disk.dlt.lto....etc.

Question 106. How To Find Last Db Backup File?

Answer :

q volhist ty=dbb

Question 107. What Are The Db Backup Types?

Answer :

full,incremental,snapshot.

Question 108. Reasons For Schedule To Fail?

Answer :

May be drives not free, no space in stgpool.

Question 109. Important Files In Tdpsql?

Answer :

tdpsql.cfg & dsm.opt

Question 110. What Are The Vesion Values In Your Previous Environment?

Answer :

verexits=30
verdelete=30
retextra=30
retonly=30

Question 111. Def Audit Library Command?

Answer :

Audit library libname

Question 112. Drm Steps?

Answer :

1. mountable to non-mountable
2. non-mountable to courier
3. courier to vault
4. vault to vault-retrieve
5. vault-retrieve to courier-retrieve
6. courier-retrieve to onsite retrieve
7. check in as private

Question 113. Health Monitoring Cmds?

Answer :

q db f=d
q log f=d
q event * * t=c
q stg f=d
q event * t=a