1. Copy the sm_versions.std file to sm_versions and verify that the latest ISM information is in the file.
2. Verify that the BAR_BSALIB_PATH configuration parameter points to the correct XBSA shared library for ISM. For details, see the IBM Informix: Backup and Restore Guide.
3. Set ISM environment variables.

   To set up ISM, see Setting Up ISM on UNIX or Setting Up ISM on Windows.

4. Add administrative users. Ensure that your administrative users have privileges on both the computer that runs the ISM server software (either UNIX or Windows) and the computer that runs the ISM commands (Windows).

   For details, see Adding the First Administrative User to the ISM Server.

5. Determine whether you want to back up data to disk (also called file-type devices), tape, or optical drives.

   If you want to back up data to file-type devices, see Using Filesystems as Storage Devices.

   If you want to back up data to tape or optical drives, see Adding and Deleting Storage Devices.

6. Configure a storage device for storage-space backups and another one for logical-log backups. The devices must be attached to the computer where ISM is installed.

   For details, see Using Storage Devices for Logical-Log Backups.

7. Label your storage volumes.
   • ISMData is the default volume pool name for storage spaces. ISMLogs is the default volume pool name for logical-log files.
   • Use the ISMDiskData and ISMDiskLogs volume pools if you are using file-type storage devices.

   For more information, see Using Volume Pools and Volume Labels. For information on how to change which volume pool is used for which data, see Using ISM Configuration Parameters to Change the Volume Pool Name.

8. Mount the storage volumes on the storage devices.
9. Establish a retention period for the backed-up data that the ISM server tracks. The default value is six months.

   For details, see Setting the Retention Period for All Data.

10. Determine if you want the ISM server to automatically manage the storage volumes loaded in a storage device.

    See Automating Media Management for Tape and Optical Devices.

11. Designate a safe place to keep the ISM server bootstrap printouts. You need the information in the bootstrap printout for disaster recovery purposes.

    For details, see If You Have the ISM Server Bootstrap Printout.

Extended Parallel Server allows multiple ISM instances but only one instance per coserver node.