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SYM-AJ's avatar
SYM-AJ
Level 5
7 years ago

Master Server Migration - Certificate Requirements

I have 4 master servers currently running 8.1.2, but each has a Windows 2008R2 O/S.  I am planning the upgrade of these Master Servers to Windows 2016, using the clean install of O/S / Install NBU 8.1.2 and restore catalog method.  I have done this many times previously but not with 8.1 and above.

Do I need to copy information from the current master servers to the new master servers relating to certificates, or will this move with the catalog ?  I am guessing I need to move this information, but am unsure where it is stored and what exactly I need to move.

Thanks,

AJ

  • That should be brought over by the Catalog backup DR file so make sure you've got the passphrase for it.
    • SYM-AJ's avatar
      SYM-AJ
      Level 5

      That makes total sense after reading up on it - thank-you.

      I have one more question here relating to best practice in this area.

      In the past when migrating master servers I have always done this with physical servers atached to tape libraries.  I backup the catalog to tape and then when I deploy the new master I configure the tape and import the catalog from tape using the DR file.  All works well.

      In this scenrio however my target master servers are virtual, and therefore have no access to tape.

      My config is currently a physical master server and 2 x 5230's in each site.  The 5230's are 'driving' the tape libraries but the master has access to the tape drives.

      The new config will be a virtual master server and 2 x 5230's in each site.  The 5230's will continue to drive the tape libraries but the master will have NO accesss to the tape drives.

      I was considering defining a basic disk pool on the existing master server using some storage which I can access from both the current physical master server and when I shut this down define it on the virtual master server (same pool name etc).  I would backup the catalog to this basic disk pool on the current master server then restore the catalog from it on the new virtual master server.

      I could backup the catalog to one of the 5230's on the current environment, but when I shutdown the current master and perform a DR install on the new virtual master - how would I then get access to the catalog image on the 5230 to restore the catalog ?  The new master would have no knowledge of the 5230's......

      I am sure I am missing something 'silly' here, and should be able to do this via the 5230's.

      Any input appreciated.

      Thanks,

      AJ

      • Marianne's avatar
        Marianne
        Level 6

        I like the idea of Basic Disk - even a CIFS share will work (did this some time ago doing Solaris to Linux migration using NFS). Just take note of Service Account requirements for CIFS STU. 
        Create a folder on the same disk/share where DR-file will be written.
        Mount/map the storage to exact same path on the new server. 

        Catalog recovery from MSDP is possible, but additional steps are required. 
        How to recover the master server catalog if the catalog backup images are stored on an MSDP pool which is hosted by a separate media server. 
        https://www.veritas.com/support/en_US/article.TECH173220

        You can backup to tape on the Appliance, but this will also require additional steps to add the appliance, devices and media.
        To recover from tape, add Appliance as Media Server on new master, add robot and tape drive(s), add catalog tape in Media GUI - slot number and CatalogBackup Pool (if you do not want to Inventory).
        Copy DR-files from old master to new master. 

        If anything goes wrong, you always have the old master to fall back to.