Forum Discussion

Spiros_K_'s avatar
Spiros_K_
Level 4
10 years ago

Backup Exec Licensing

Hello, I would like to clear the thing Licensing. We have a Win Server and a Synology NAS x model. What licenses should we exactly purchase to be able to backup , the server and the NAS. Do you need an extra license for the NAS? Technically we are able to mount the NAS per iSCSI and view the contens as locale HDD and of course run a full backup. I call support from Symantec in Germany and in England. Both told me, for a backup that contains files, those on a NAS are, we have to buy a ndmp license, no matter how and where the NAS is connected. Because we are going to buy licenses for many customers please only official answers. Kind Regards Spiros
Backup and Recovery
Backup Exec
Windows Server (2003-2008)
  • Larry_Fine's avatar
    Larry_Fine
    10 years ago

    As far as I know, Synology doesn't support NDMP, therefore there should be no discussion of the NDMP Agent or NDMP usage with a Synology NAS.

    Most of the Synology NASes are on the HCL and I am sure more will be added over time.  Listing of a disk device on the HCL is not mandatory to use it and have it supported.  As far as I know, all the Symnology NASes run the same DiskStation software, so that shouldn't be an issue.

    To back up from a NAS connected via iSCSI requires no Agent licenses as BE sees it as a local disk drive.  Only the BE server has access to these files though.

    To back up to a NAS connected via iSCSI works fine as BE sees it as a local B2D drive.  No Agent license required.

     

    To back up from a NAS via CIFS requires a Remote Agent license, even if the Agent cannot be installed.  Be aware that you can generally only do full backups and cannot do proper incrmentals.  http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH68920   This storage can be shared by multiple people/computers.

    To back up to a NAS via CIFS works fine as a B2D UNC path, assuming you have credentials working. No Agent License required.

     

    So, iSCSI has multiple advantages, but the big limit is when backing up from an iSCSI NAS is that BE is the only server that can access those files (no sharing like CIFS amongst multiple users/computers).

     

  • CraigV's avatar
    CraigV
    Moderator
    10 years ago

    Hi,

     

    If you're going to mount LUNs from the NAS that store data on it from a server perspective, then you'd just need the media server license and any application agents. This assumes that the server in question is also the file server for instance.

    If you're backing  up data hosted on the NAS via CIFS for instance, then you need a RAWS agent license in order to be in compliance.

    Read the licensing guide below for further information:

    http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH178479

    Thanks!

  • Spiros_K_'s avatar
    Spiros_K_
    Level 4
    10 years ago

    Hi CraigV,

    thank you very much for your time.

    What do you mean with "any application agent" ?

    Example Enviroment:

    1x Server Windows - Backup Server

    1x Server Windows - Fileserver

    1x NAS mount per iSCSI

    Purchase :

    ???

     

    Example Enviroment:

    1x Server Windows - Backup Server

    1x Server Windows - Fileserver

    1x NAS backup shared folders/files on Windows

     

    I saw BE Agent Document :

    "NDMP Option - Per  Network Attached Storage (NAS) device - Purchase one NDMP  Option for  each NAS device being protected."

     

    Kind Regards,

    Spiros

     

     

  • Larry_Fine's avatar
    Larry_Fine
    Level 6
    10 years ago

    I call support from Symantec in Germany and in England. Both told me, for a backup that contains files, those on a NAS are, we have to buy a ndmp license, no matter how and where the NAS is connected.

    Mine is certainly not an official answer, but I don't think that is correct info.  My understanding of the NDMP license is that it is needed when doing an NDMP mode backup from an NDMP device that is on the HCL in the NDMP section.  From a BE perspective, NDMP is a subset of NAS.  In other words, all certified NDMP devices are also known as NAS devices.  But, not all NAS devices are NDMP devices.

    To re-phrase what CraigV said: If you are backing up a NAS via CIFS, then you need a RAWS license for that.  If you are backing up a NAS via iSCSI, it is seen as local disk and no extra NAS/agent license is needed.

  • CraigV's avatar
    CraigV
    Moderator
    10 years ago

    For your example environment:

    * 1 x Media server license

    * 1 x RAWS agent for the file server

    * 1 x RAWS agent IF you're backing up the NAS via CIFS

     

    If the NAS is used to present iSCSI LUNs to the file server, then no further agent is needed as it is local disk.

    NDMP license is required if using NDMP...

    Thanks!

  • Spiros_K_'s avatar
    Spiros_K_
    Level 4
    10 years ago

    Hello both,

    thank you very much for your time.

    How could we receive an official answer or e-mail from Symantec that can clarify and confirm your words?

    It is not that i dont believe you, it is only that we have the same model on more than 100 Customers and we want to be ok with the licenses.

     

    Kind Regards,

    Spiros

  • pkh's avatar
    pkh
    Moderator
    10 years ago

    Contact the Symantec Licencing Department and you would get an official answer.

  • Spiros_K_'s avatar
    Spiros_K_
    Level 4
    10 years ago

    Hallo,

     

    i am sorry that i have to reopen that Case but something is not yet clear.

    CraigV : If you're backing  up data hosted on the NAS via CIFS for instance, then you need a RAWS agent license in order to be in compliance.

     

    Symatenc :

    Case: which BE license needed for backing up NAS storage from Windows file server

    Dear Mr Karampinis ,

     

    Synology DS214play, DS214+ and DS415+ for B2D cert only, and not

    supported as a target for NDMP, this we already know.

    The devices are listed in a queue within our cLab  organization  however;  the priority is low and we cannot give an estimation for possible delivery , as we do not have many customers requesting support for this.

    At this time we must unfortunately say that it’s not supported and can not provide any estimation due to the lack of market demand.

    If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.

    Thanks & regards,

    Yury Peichev

     Global Delivery Support Services

    www.symantec.com

     

    With simply words , because the call me to explain me that, they dont have any License for those , for example, NAS devices.

    They dont care about these devices because are "Low Demand" as they said.

     

    So .. do we need a license or not?

     

    Spiros

     

  • Spiros_K_'s avatar
    Spiros_K_
    Level 4
    10 years ago

    Dear Mr Karampinis,

     

    Due to the fact that NAS machines are licensed under the NDMP option within Backup Exec and that the particular Synology model ( NAS 214 or 814 ) you are backuping is currently not compatible with this option, there is no need for you to purchase an additional license at this time.

     

    If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.

    Thanks & regards,

    Yury Peichev

     Global Delivery Support Services

    www.symantec.com

  • Spiros_K_'s avatar
    Spiros_K_
    Level 4
    10 years ago

    Dear Mr Karampinis,

     

    Due to the fact that NAS machines are licensed under the NDMP option within Backup Exec and that the particular Synology model ( NAS 214 or 814 ) you are backuping is currently not compatible with this option, there is no need for you to purchase an additional license at this time.

     

    If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.

    Thanks & regards,

    Yury Peichev

     Global Delivery Support Services

    www.symantec.com

     

     

    @ CraigV : So .. is that also right?

     

    Kind Regards

    Spiros

     

  • CraigV's avatar
    CraigV
    Moderator
    10 years ago

    ...are you backing up too, or from it?

    I'd go with what they say especially if the NAS isn't supported yet.

    Thanks!