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Chong's avatar
Chong
Level 3
12 years ago

Backup Exec 2010/2012 Media Server Installation on a ESXi 5.0 Virtual Machine

Hi All,

 

I would need to heed your expert advice in regards to the Backup Exec Media Server. I have a plan to run Backup Exec 2010/2012 on a ESXi 5 Virtual Machine running Windows Server 2008 R2 Operating System.

I have read through some of the KBs available like the one that is an Alternative Configuration using the SCSI passthrough. Some have commented that it will experience issues. 

I would wish to run the Backup Exec 2010/2012 in a Virtual machine, with SAS connectivity from the ESXi Host to a HP autoloader/library.

 

Regards,

Chong Yee

2010
Backup and Recovery
Backup Exec
Backup Exec (media server only)
Backup Exec Appliances
Virtualization
VMware
Windows
  • Colin_Weaver's avatar
    Colin_Weaver
    12 years ago

    In simple words

    Alternative Configuration = Not Tested, Might work but if it does not work we don't officially support it unless you would have had the same problem with a physical server.

     

    Typically for BE in a VM this means anything to do with accessing physical storage devices (Tape drives, libraries, USB disks) connected over any form of pass-through might give you problems and would not be supported if they did.

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  • shamee's avatar
    shamee
    Level 5
    12 years ago

    Hi,

     

    Can i use VM (VMWare 5.1) for installing Backup Exec 2012 for using as a CASO server? Just for managing Backup Exec Servers? Thanks.

     

    Regards,

  • ma_husyk's avatar
    ma_husyk
    Level 2
    12 years ago

    vSphere 5.1 will be suported in BE2012 and BE2010R3 with the next major update but I think not before Q2/2013

  • Nabil_polska's avatar
    Nabil_polska
    Level 4
    12 years ago

    it's not supported with the actual version hopefuly it will be in the next version

    Good luck

  • Backup_Exec1's avatar
    Backup_Exec1
    Level 6
    12 years ago

    Hi

    You have mention ESX 5.1 it is not yet supported with any version of backup exec apart from tape drive configuration too on virtual server

    https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/vsphere-51-support-update

    Thanks

  • netjustin's avatar
    netjustin
    12 years ago

    For what it's worth, in experimenting with the BE 2012 media server on a ESXi 5.0u1 guest the tape drive seems to malfunction every time when configured in pass-thru mode. Even the Dell ITDT software (provided for Powervault 114x drive) had problems; it would start a minimally I/O intensive process and stall out, seemingly indefinately.

    Even if it worked in an unsupported mode with a few careful tweaks I would personally hold off until a supported tape storage component is integrated into ESXi

  • CraigV's avatar
    CraigV
    Moderator
    12 years ago

    ...just bear in mind this comes from VMware, not Symantec. As soon as the virtualization vendors officially support it you might find support from backup software vendors.

    EDIT: Also, essentially hard-coding physical hardware to a VM would prevent it from being able to Vmotion to another host which would be another cause for it not being supported currently. We've done this before and it works...until it breaks. Then you need to restart the host where the library is connected too affecting all other VMs and therefore the client.

    Thanks!

  • Chong's avatar
    Chong
    Level 3
    12 years ago

    Thanks guys for the advice. I understand that Alternative Configuration is not a official/tested by Symantec. But how I wish that it would be supported in the near future as demand for virtualization is rapidly growing in the recent years. Even requests for media servers to be virtualized, because to some it really cut costs. 

  • pkh's avatar
    pkh
    Moderator
    12 years ago

    Note that SAS is not mentioned in the documents provided earlier.

  • Colin_Weaver's avatar
    Colin_Weaver
    Moderator
    12 years ago

    In simple words

    Alternative Configuration = Not Tested, Might work but if it does not work we don't officially support it unless you would have had the same problem with a physical server.

     

    Typically for BE in a VM this means anything to do with accessing physical storage devices (Tape drives, libraries, USB disks) connected over any form of pass-through might give you problems and would not be supported if they did.