HP September 2006 Dear Customer, In an effort to provide enhanced storage management software ca- pability to our customers, HP offers this release of HP Archive Backup System (ABS) for OpenVMS, V4.4 that contains new features and major functionality enhancements. We thank you for your recent purchase of this product. If you are using ABS V3.0X or a later version, and have not up- graded to the ABS V4.0 stream, then you need to convert the ex- isting ABS policy database when upgrading to ABS V4.4. Many of the changes in V4.0X stream are a redesign of the software to make it more reliable and maintainable for future enhancements. ABS is an application that performs automated backup of your data and provides a secure copy, which you can use in the event of unforeseen disasters caused due to nature or even simple operator errors. ABS proves beneficial whenever you perform a selective restore of files or a complete restore of the entire disk (physical or virtual) due to the loss of the original data. You can initiate the backups automatically on a scheduled basis but the restores are initiated on a need basis. Just as the Prior Versions of ABS, V4.4: o Honors either an ABS or a SLS license PAK o Is qualified on Fibre Channel (FC) connected tape storage for OpenVMS V7.2-2 and later versions. The Software Product De- scription (SPD) lists the tape libraries, the Modular Data Router (MDR) and the Network Storage Router (NSR) that serve a bridge between the FC and the SCSI interface of the tape drive. OS Compatibility: o ABS V4.4 is compatible with the following range of OpenVMS versions: - OpenVMS Alpha V7.3-2, V8.2 and V8.3 - OpenVMS VAX V7.3 - OpenVMS I64 V8.2, V8.2-1 and V8.3 o RDF is supported for use by ABS on OpenVMS Alpha V8.2 and V8.3, and is also ported on MDMS V4.4. o RDF is not ported for use by ABS on OpenVMS I64 V8.2 and later versions. o If you need to install ABS V4.4 on an OpenVMS version prior to those listed, you need to purchase or have a "prior version support contract" with the OpenVMS organization. Also, it is essential that ABS be qualified for that specific version of OpenVMS. Expanded Features for ABS V4.4: o Oracle Rdb qualification on OpenVMS Alpha V8.2 o Oracle Rdb qualification on OpenVMS I64 V8.2 and later versions o SLS V2.X to ABS V4.X migration using the SLS to ABS Migration utility o Prev3 Support for restoring files from SLS catalog by using SLS as the client o MDMS movement of volume(s) to outport(s) without operator's intervention, using the PORT qualifier o Cleanup of the VAOE file in the Volume_Set type of catalog at your convenience. Define the ABS_CATALOG_VAOE_CLEANUP logical when you want the cleanup to be performed. o Significant use of date qualifiers to enhance the ABS/MDMS lookup on the Volume_Set type of catalog and hence the restore operations; only the relevant VAOEI files are searched for matching entries. o Support for RDF V4.3I The JAVA Runtime Environment (JRE), as used by the GUI, is not included in the ABS installation kit because the JRE changes are independent of ABS/MDMS. Therefore, you have to download the lat- est JRE kit from the web, as described in HP Archive Backup System for OpenVMS Guide to Operations. ABS V4.4 allows "rolling" upgrades from ABS V4.X only and not from ABS V3.X versions. From ABS V4.0 onwards, the policy database, cataloging and networks are moved to the MDMS server. The server and clients will all need to be updated at the same time to main- tain communications. Engineering recommends that the customers prepare for this upgrade by getting familiar with the Installation guide and Release notes provided for ABS and MDMS. The additional documents in PDF format are available in the ABS044.b saveset. Hierarchical Storage Management (HSM) V4.3 can be used with MDMS V4.4. Engineering encourages customers to move to ABS V4.4 as customers can benefit from new features and enhancements given in this re- lease. From V4.X stream onwards, there are dramatic changes made to the ABS product. ABS will continue to evolve into a more intu- itive automatic backup product. 2 For those customers who have not upgraded from a V3.2A to the V4.X stream, engineering understands that customers need to plan for this upgrade. Changes to the Scope of Support for ABS V4.4: ABS V4.4 is only compatible with ABS Windows client on Windows 2000 and later versions. The ABS UNIX client will only utilize Tru64 UNIX. It might function with other brands of UNIX but sup- port will not be provided for non-Tru64 UNIX brands. Engineering would encourage customers to use the INTERNAL option as increased flexibility should serve your needs. ABS V4.4 only supports the use of MDMS version V4.4 for its me- dia manager. All ABS users should be upgrading to this current version of the product. If you need assistance in upgrading your environment, please contact the customer support center or your designated field representative. The following documentation is available for ABS V4.4: o HP Archive/Backup System for OpenVMS V4.4 Release Notes o HP Archive Backup System for OpenVMS Installation Guide o HP Archive Backup System for OpenVMS Guide to Operations o HP Archive Backup System for OpenVMS MDMS Reference Guide o Media, Device and Management Services version V4.4 for OpenVMS Release Notes Refer to HP Archive Backup System for OpenVMS Installation Guide for ABS/MDMS installation pre-requisites. Java (JRE) Versions: Java (JRE) versions V1.2, V1.3 and V1.4 are qualified to work with ABS V4.4. Refer to the HP Archive/Backup System for OpenVMS V4.4 Release Notes for more information. Oracle Rdb Versions: Oracle Rdb versions V7.0-6, V7.0-6.1, V7.0-9, V7.1.0.4 and V7.2 are qualified to work with ABS V4.4. Oracle RMAN Versions: Oracle RMAN versions V8.1.7.3.0, V8.1.7.4.0, V9.0.1.0.0, and V9.2.0.2.0 are qualified to work with ABS V4.4. 3 For additional information, please refer to the product documen- tation. For additional assistance, please call the HP Customer Support Center. NOTE The Storage Management Software (SMS) organization makes every effort to be as current and correct in our listing of compatible versions for Operating Systems, hardware and third party software products. Ultimately, your existing contract with any of these entities will take precedence. Sincerely, OpenVMS Product Management ©2006 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. 4