Hi Jerry, To avoid this 'random' (although I believe it is only random within a given range of port numbers) we use polling mode scheduling for clients outside of our inner firewall. The clients will then only use the TCP port specified in the client options files. Works fine. We are running TSM server 3.7.3.6 and clients are mostly 3.1.0.6. I can't understard why Tivoli would say this is undersupported. Sure there are some limiations but as long as you can live with them I don't see a problem. Trevor -----Original Message----- From: Jerry Caupain [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2000 10:25 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: TSM through Firewall **NOT** supported 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." ---------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This message and any attachment is confidential and may be privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you have received it by mistake please let us know by reply and then delete it from your system; you should not copy the message or disclose its contents to anyone.