After a period of time, IBM has decided to release a new maintenance line with IBM Storage Protect Version 8.2.
Although this version does not include any major changes to the software, it primarily serves to standardize names, update software versions, and fix bugs. Nevertheless, some new features have also been integrated into this version.
Storage Protect Server
Support for TLS 1.3 has been extended to connections to LDAP and the Operations Center in the security area.
Support for LTO-10 tape drives has been extended in tape technology.
The server version will now also support Ubuntu 22.04.
A few improvements have been introduced für cloud:
- The S3 Object Agent from IBM Storage Protect Server can now be used as a target for the AWS Glacier storage class.
- The storage rule for cloud pool reclamation now also supports object-lock-enabled storage pools.
- Azure Connections now displays the expiration date of Azure SAS tokens.
- Last but not least, the Must-Gather scripts have been revised and offer greater automation for gathering information for support.
APAR-Fixes
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/apars-fixed-ibm-storage-protect-server-version-82-levels
Storage Protect Backup/Archive Client
Adjustments to many supported OS versions:
- NETApp ONTAP 9.15 and 9.16
- SLES 15 SP6 and SP7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
- AIX 7.3 TL3
IBM Storage Protect for Virtual Environments
IBM Storage Protect for Virtual Environments has also been upgraded to level 8.2.
Support for new versions:
- The Derby database has been updated to 10.17.1.0.
- RHEL 10 is now supported.
- HyperV Windows 2025 is supported.
APAR-Fixes
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7253890
IBM Storage Protect for Enterprise Resource Planning
Since version 8.2, the ERP Client has been renamed Storage Protect.
- Support for RHEL 9.x
- Java package updated to JAVA 21.
- Storage Protect continues to be an SAP-certified solution for SAP HANA with version 8.2.
APAR Fixes
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7252487
IBM Storage Protect for Mail
IBM Storage Protect for Mail also primarily has version updates.
For Microsoft Exchange, the Subscription Edition is now supported, as is Windows Server 2025.
The following versions are supported for HCL Domino:
- Domino 14.0 server
- Windows 2025
- RHEL 9.6
- AIX 7.3 TL3
IBM Storage Protect for Databases
Only supported versions have been updated for IBM Storage Protect for Databases:
Windows 2025 has been added for SQL Server.
For Oracle databases, installations on RHEL 9.0 are supported in addition to Windows 2025.
IBM Storage Protect for Space Management/HSM
Support for IBM Storage Scale 5.2.3:
The HSM for Windows Web GUI has been redesigned to monitor client recall activity.
Conclusion
It has not yet been clearly communicated whether 8.1.27.100 is the last version of the 8.1 line or whether there will be further versions with security and bug fixes.
Detailed descriptions of all functions can be found in the official IBM documentation: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/storage-protect/8.2.0
It should be noted that there has also been a change with regard to the documentation: The documentation for Server and Backup Archive Client is no longer located at the top level of the table of contents. It can now be found under Product Components.
Server Dokumentation: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/storage-protect/8.2.0?topic=components-servers
Client Dokumentation: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/storage-protect/8.2.0?topic=components-backup-archive-clients
Sources
- IBM Storage Protect Suite 8.2 Information Portal: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-storage-protect-suite-82-information-portal
- Download Information: IBM Storage Protect 8.2.0: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/download-information-ibm-storage-protect-820
- APAR-Fixes: APARs fixed in the IBM Storage Protect server Version 8.2 levels: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/apars-fixed-ibm-storage-protect-server-version-82-levels
- Update History: Data Protection for VMware 8.2: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7253890
- Update History: Version 8.2 IBM Storage Protect™ for Enterprise Resource Planning: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7252487
- IBM Storage Protect Documentation: IBM Storage Protect server. Learn about new features and updates in IBM Storage Protect 8.2.0. (Last Updated: 2025-12-05): https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/storage-protect/8.2.0?topic=whats-new
- IBM Cloud Pool Reclamation: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/storage-protect/8.2.0?topic=pool-reclaiming-cloud-containers
- IBM Storage Protect for Virtual Environments: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/spfve
- IBM Enterprise Resource Planning: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/spferp
- IBM Storage Protect for Mail: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/requirements-documents-ibm-storage-protect-mail
- IBM Storage Scale 5.2.3: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-storage-scale-system-software-data-management-edition523
- IBM Ultrium Generation 10 (LTO-10) drive configuration information for IBM Storage Protect Server: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7253855
- IBM Storage Protect for Databases: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/spfd/8.2.0
- Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish): https://releases.ubuntu.com/jammy/
- Requirements Documents: IBM Storage Protect for Mail: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/requirements-documents-ibm-storage-protect-mail
