Is this really true?
I just can't imagine that TSM uses random ports like this.
Can somebody please explain what this means?
Anybody out there that uses TSM through a firewall? I know that this is
not a strange thing!

The official APAR:

Apar IC27212
****************************************************************
 * USERS AFFECTED: All TSM Clients*
 ****************************************************************
 * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: Tivoli Storage Manager Client does not*
 * support the use of a firewall in the environment. When the *
 * client connects to the assigned port, the server rolls the *
 * client over to another random port to keep the initial port*
 * open for additional communication. Oncethe client is on *
 * another port, communication is severed unless the next*
 * selected port happens to be open in the firewall as well.*
 ***************************************************************
 * RECOMMENDATION: It should be documented that TSM does not *
 * support access through a firewall.*
 ***************************************************************
 PROBLEM CONCLUSION: The following statement has been documented
 in the readmes for all TSM clients:
 "The TSM clients work in conjunction with a TSM server to which
 they have access. Currently, TSM does not support the use of a
 firewall beween the server and the client."
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