Web administrative and client interfaces

Tivoli Storage Manager provides two web browser interfaces into its client and administrator functions. These interfaces provide essentially the same

functionality as the command-line or native graphical clients but with increased flexibility. The client web interface is for performing operations for a particular client node, such as backup and restore. The administrator web interface allows an administrator to manage and control the actual server resources.

The two interfaces are frequently confused because they have similar names, are accessed by similar means, and both use signon ids that are defined as Tivoli Storage Manager administrators.

The web administrative interface connects to a Tivoli Storage Manager server through the web to present an interface to a true Tivoli Storage Manager administrator session. It is used by an administrator to configure, monitor and control a Tivoli Storage Manager server just as they would use the command line interface. The browser interface has some features in common with the native Windows GUI interface which used to be shipped with older product releases;

however this component is no longer available or supported.

The web backup-archive client connects to a Tivoli Storage Manager

backup-archive client process through the web to present an interface to remotely perform the functions of the backup-archive client. It is used by Tivoli Storage Manager administrators, help-desk personnel or end users to manually backup, restore, archive, or retrieve files on a remote client without having to physically visit the client. To enforce security, the web backup-archive client connects to the actual client node using an administrator id with NODE authority. This eliminates the requirement for unique security definitions on every client for the Tivoli Storage Manager administrators, help desk personnel or end users. See “User management” on page 105 for more information on Tivoli Storage Manager user IDs.

7.1 Web backup-archive client

The workstation connecting to the web backup-archive client uses a Java

1.1.5-capable web browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 or Netscape 4.06. Using a web browser means that Tivoli Storage Manager code is not required on the workstation where you are using the browser. The web backup-archive client Tivoli Storage Manager code is required on the client to which you are connecting.

This interface provides the basic backup, restore, archive and retrieve functions remotely and without authorization problems. Once connected, the interface is similar to the backup-archive client native GUI interface. It is important to note that the administrator is acting remotely only-all restores or retrieves will be stored back on the original backup client node. The web client interface does not of itself give the authority to ’steal’ files and store them on the system running the browser. This is possible only ifclient ownerauthority is used (see “Privilege classes” on page 106 for an explanation of the different administrator authorities provided),

The following functions are not supported by the web backup-archive client:

estimate, view policy information, access another user, file details, command line, preferences editor, connection information, searching and filtering.

Figure 69 shows the first screen of the Web Backup-Archive client.

Figure 69. Screen shot of the web backup-archive client

7.2 Web administrator

The web administrative interface connects to a Tivoli Storage Manager server through the web to present an interface to a true Tivoli Storage Manager administrator session. It requires a Java 1.1.5-capable web browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 or Netscape 4.06. Using a web browser means that you do not need to run any Tivoli Storage Manager code on the web browser workstation.

As opposed to the discontinued Windows GUI interface, the web administrator now includes all the function of the command line interface. The main screens present a tree view on the left with Operation, Network, Configuration and Object views. Each clickable view opens up to present other options. Some functions can be performed in more than one area. For example, adding an administrator can be done in each of Operations and Object. In many options, a drop-down box, usually called Operations, is available to perform commands and functions relevant to this area.

Web administrative and client interfaces 103 The web administrative interface has a drop-down box in the upper right corner of the screen that allows you to perform three functions: show a command line, show an event line, and log off the administrator. In the command line area, you can issue any Tivoli Storage Manager command that could be issued from the command line interface. The event line displays the command issued as a result of performing a function using the web GUI. It maintains a history of the

commands that have been issued in this session. Both the command line and the event line can be displayed at the same time.

Figure 70 shows the Server Status screen of the web administrative interface and an open drop-down box with the Set password expiration option selected. Also shown are the Server Command line and the Events line.

Figure 70. Server status screen of the web administrative interface

The web administrator interface is platform independent, it is location

independent (you only need a web browser), and it allows you to perform all Tivoli Storage Manager administrator functions.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2000 105