We use this solution to run our virtual machines.
The ability to add the virtual machine on the Spectrum environment to sort out the data movers(DMs) and their schedules is a valuable feature. You are able to have, for example, four data movers to balance them so you do not have too much work on one data mover.
Once you know how to run the commands it tells you what has been backed up and which DM did not get backed up. You have what you call DSM errors. The system talks to the schedule and then it knows why and what happened with a certain backup that was not completed. When you are trying to troubleshoot you are able to go back to the DSM or OPT error files and scroll down and see why the backup did not run. It gives you the error number allowing you to go back to see what the issue was.
When comparing this solution to others it is running 1.5 but should be on a 2.0 and the difficulty is a little higher to operate at first which could be improved.
The only errors I find sometimes is the solution tells me I cannot operate it because a service has turned off, you can just go back to the VM, go to services, and turn back the services. However, this should improve.
We use the solution to backup data.
I have found the solution to be very stable.
There is no maintenance required because it runs very smoothly.
This solution came as an additional cost for the TSM package we chose.
I have evaluated Cohesity, Veeam, and Commvault.
My advice to those wanted to implement this solution would be it is very useful and will give you all the details you need; how to set up the data movers, make sure they are balanced so that the load is distributed evenly, how to set it up and get all the documents in place once you log in.
I rate IBM Spectrum Virtualize an eight out of ten.
