I wrote that statement, and I can assure you that my intent was neither to
annoy, nor to imply anything that wasn't true. I apologize if that is how
it came across, but please don't try to read anything more into it than
what is there: tracing has been in the product since V1, and it is an
invaluable tool in servicing the product. And while it is intended for use
only at the direction of IBM service or development. the enhancements are
intended to help facilitate the gathering and diagnosis of traces, which
at least indirectly helps customers. For example, if you've ever had to
send 20 GB traces to IBM, you'll appreciate the trace file spanning
feature. For another, if you've ever had a Windows client crash, then had
to recreate it in order to gather a Dr. Watson log and/or dump, you'll
appreciate the enhancements made to the Windows client in this regard.

Starting with 5.2, serviceability is a significant theme, so this is why
it is making it into the announcements. In the future, we will try to word
things more clearly to indicate if an item is not intended for direct
customer consumption.

We are looking at what we can do to provide more "self help" features in
the product, although I can't give any specifics. In the mean time, if
there are specific items that you are looking for, by all means, open up a
requirement through your IBM representative. That is the best way to get
the appropriate attention for what you need.

Regards,

Andy

Andy Raibeck
IBM Software Group
Tivoli Storage Manager Client Development
Internal Notes e-mail: Andrew Raibeck/Tucson/IBM@IBMUS
Internet e-mail: storman AT us.eyebm DOT com (change eye to i to reply)

The only dumb question is the one that goes unasked.
The command line is your friend.
"Good enough" is the enemy of excellence.




Richard Sims <rbs AT BU DOT EDU>
Sent by: "ADSM: Dist Stor Manager" <ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU>
04/08/2003 08:25
Please respond to "ADSM: Dist Stor Manager"


        To:     ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
        cc:
        Subject:        Re: TSM 5.2 Announced



Reading the announcement indicates that 5.2 is an "evolutionary" release,
which is to say that it introduces modest, desirable enhancements rather
than dramatic changes.  This bodes well for stability and maintainability.

One thing that somewhat annoyed me in the announcement was under
"Improved Tivoli Storage Manager serviceability", which says
"Tracing is an invaluable tool for problem determination, and has been in
the product since its inception.", as though suggesting that it has always
been there for customer use.  The latest Trace Facility Guide manual, of
4.2 vintage, stipulates "...not for customer use".  I'm rather incredulous
that IBM still holds this view, as any reading of ADSM-L would show IBM
management that customers desperately need readily applicable tracing
methods to track down performance issues.  Could someone in IBM pass on
to the appropriate decision makers that customers need some subset of
tracing tools in order to effectively administer the product?  Thanks.

  Richard Sims, BU     http://people.bu.edu/rbs