About the Key Management Service (KMS)

The NetBackup Key Management Service (KMS) feature is included as part of the NetBackup Enterprise Server and NetBackup Server software. An additional license is not required to use this functionality. KMS runs on NetBackup and is a master server-based symmetric Key Management Service. The KMS manages symmetric cryptography keys for the tape drives that conform to the T10 standard. KMS has been designed to use volume pool-based tape encryption. KMS is used with the tape hardware that has a built-in hardware encryption capability. An example of a tape drive that has built-in encryption is the IBM ULTRIUM TD4 cartridge drive. KMS is also used with disk volumes associated with NetBackup AdvancedDisk storage solutions. KMS runs with Cloud storage providers. KMS runs on Windows and UNIX. KMS generates keys from your passcodes or it auto-generates keys. The KMS operations are done through the KMS command line interface (CLI) or the Cloud Storage Server Configuration Wizard (when KMS is used with Cloud storage providers). The CLI options are available for use with both nbms and nbmkmsutil.

KMS has a minimal effect on existing NetBackup operation system management and yet provides a foundation for future Key Management Service enhancements.