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Matthew_Barclay's avatar
Matthew_Barclay
Level 2
14 years ago

Client Side De-Duplication Issues | Windows Server 2003 Cluster

Hi, is anyone aware of any issues with client-side de-duplication under Microsoft Cluster Services using Backup Exec 2010 R2?

Error: Client-side deduplication is enabled for this job, but it could not be used.

Environment: 2 node Windows Server 2003 (SP2) cluster.

The job reverts to media server de-duplication and does complete successfully even though it is configured for client-side. We have configured the job to backup the physical drives and cluster shares with the same result.

Latest Agent has been deployed to both nodes.

Also tested on a standalone physical Windows Server 2003 SP2 box. Works fine. No issues.

Thanks in advanced.

2010
Backing Up
Backup and Recovery
Backup Exec
Configuring
  • Martin_Murphy's avatar
    Martin_Murphy
    14 years ago

    I have found the source of the problem:

    http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH150364

    Thanks for your suggestions everyone.

12 Replies

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  • Sush---'s avatar
    Sush---
    Level 6
    14 years ago

    What is the destination where the backups are going to ? Is it backing to the De-Duplication folder on the Media server ir are you backing to any OST device??

     

    Thanks,

    -Sush...

  • Matthew_Barclay's avatar
    Matthew_Barclay
    Level 2
    14 years ago

    Hi Sush, Yes a de-duplication folder on the media server.

    Storage platform is a Dell MD1000 connected via SAS.

    Thanks.

  • itsmeaffinity's avatar
    itsmeaffinity
    Level 6
    14 years ago

    Hi

     

    Can you please confirm on the server were you want client dedup to happen does that server has dual core processor has that is the minimum requirment

    Also is that server on ESX like a virtual machine & are you backing up the server using raws?

     

    Thank You

  • Matthew_Barclay's avatar
    Matthew_Barclay
    Level 2
    14 years ago

    Hi, Yes the server does have dual-core processors.

    No ESX - the Windows cluster and BE server are all physical.

    Thanks.

  • itsmeaffinity's avatar
    itsmeaffinity
    Level 6
    14 years ago

    Hi

     

    Can you try removing the RAD  for that server & readd it & then try to see if client dedup works

    RAD :Remote Agent DeDuplication

  • Colin_Weaver's avatar
    Colin_Weaver
    Moderator
    14 years ago

    I think you have to add the clustered (virtual server) resource  as a RADA (Remotae Agent configured with Direct Access) as well as the two node names- could be wrong though as not actually tried it...

     

     

  • BMcGinnis's avatar
    BMcGinnis
    Level 2
    14 years ago

    I have been trying to setup client side dedup on our cluster as well, my setup is nearly identical to yours. 2 node Windows Server 2003 Sp2 cluster.

    I have RAWS on both nodes. I tried adding the RADA to both nodes as well as the virtual name. I have tried via IP, FQDN, IP address with no success. It never is able to retrieve the "Host ID" or "System Version" and the Dedup folder never appears under the RADA, thus media server deduplication is always used.

    The only thing i can think of is that setup includes multiple "virtual" server names and IP address as this cluster took over roles of multiple filesservers, maybe this is affecting something.

    When i mention virtual above i do not mean virtual machine as in VMware or hyper-v. this is all on physical dell poweredge servers.

    Any input would be greatly appreicated as i think client side dedup will reduce my backup times as i am close to surpassing my time window for the backups to complete.

  • Colin_Weaver's avatar
    Colin_Weaver
    Moderator
    14 years ago

    I just tested this admittedly with a slightly different environment

    I had 2008 SP2 Media server with DeDup folder and 2 node 2008 R2 cluster that was only clustering as a file server with one shared volume.

    Configured the cluster resource name for the share as a Remote Agent with DIrect Access (for client side dedup)

    RESULT: Client side DeDUp job worked correctly.

     

    Where you might be failing

    If you have multiple clusted resourse/virtual servers - each one will have to be separately configured for Client Side DeDup and you will have to run separate backup jobs for each resource as you cannot have multiple client side agents (RADAs) selected in one job.