Forum Discussion

SPresley's avatar
SPresley
Level 3
16 years ago

Netbackup VMware licensing requirements

We run NetBackup 6.5 Enterprise Server, with standard clients.

We are looking to deploy a VMware environment in the future (VMware Infrastructure 3, with 1 VI Center, and 14 ESX hosts).

What are the licensing requirements for NetBackup for VMware?  Is it just an option for the enterprise server?  What about on the client side?  How many licenses (one per VI center or one per ESX host? standard or advanced?)

Thanks!
7.1.x and Earlier
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  • Giroevolver's avatar
    Giroevolver
    16 years ago
    Hi,

    The licensing for VMware is simple sort of :).
     
    You need one enterprise client per ESX host per OS plus an enterprise client for the VCB Proxy server if you use VCB.

    This will enable you to use VCB on your VMs. This also enables you to use standard or enterprise/snapshot clients on any of your VM's if you wish to use a client in the VM rather than using VCB.

    If you want to use a database pack on some of your VM's you need one database pack per esx host per application. So if you have an exchange server and an sql server on one esx host and you want to use netbackup to backup those databases you need 2 database packs for that host. This applies not matter how many sql or exchange servers are on that host. If only sql is on a esx host you only need 1 database pack for that host and you can have as many sql servers on there as you like.

    If you are clever and your hosts have the power to do it you could put all your SQL servers on 2 or 3 hosts and only license those hosts for the database packs saving you a fortune in licensing as you don't need to license the other 10 or 11. That's what we do but you must make sure your sql server stay on the correct hosts!

    I forgot to mention about the tiers of licensing. If you only have 2 sockets in you host this is tier 2 which is cheaper than having 4 sockets which is tier 3. As you can now get 4 or 6 core's per single socket your better off getting 2 socket servers with more core's!!!

    Hope this helps!

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    16 years ago
    I have just installed my Netbackup/VCB Proxy today and entered in the License Key. The order form for the license was for

    NETBACKUP ENTERPRISE CLIENT 6.5 WIN TIER 3 STD LICENSE.
    Part Number 12527284

    This type was advised by Symantec.

    Installed on the Master and the Media Server.

    Thats it! Only 1 of these and you can backup up as many VM's as you want. No client licenses needed. No limit.
  • Giroevolver's avatar
    Giroevolver
    Level 6
    16 years ago
    https://forums2.symantec.com/syment/board/message?board.id=netbackup_english&thread.id=36
  • Giroevolver's avatar
    Giroevolver
    Level 6
    16 years ago
    Hi,

    The licensing for VMware is simple sort of :).
     
    You need one enterprise client per ESX host per OS plus an enterprise client for the VCB Proxy server if you use VCB.

    This will enable you to use VCB on your VMs. This also enables you to use standard or enterprise/snapshot clients on any of your VM's if you wish to use a client in the VM rather than using VCB.

    If you want to use a database pack on some of your VM's you need one database pack per esx host per application. So if you have an exchange server and an sql server on one esx host and you want to use netbackup to backup those databases you need 2 database packs for that host. This applies not matter how many sql or exchange servers are on that host. If only sql is on a esx host you only need 1 database pack for that host and you can have as many sql servers on there as you like.

    If you are clever and your hosts have the power to do it you could put all your SQL servers on 2 or 3 hosts and only license those hosts for the database packs saving you a fortune in licensing as you don't need to license the other 10 or 11. That's what we do but you must make sure your sql server stay on the correct hosts!

    I forgot to mention about the tiers of licensing. If you only have 2 sockets in you host this is tier 2 which is cheaper than having 4 sockets which is tier 3. As you can now get 4 or 6 core's per single socket your better off getting 2 socket servers with more core's!!!

    Hope this helps!

  • Giroevolver's avatar
    Giroevolver
    Level 6
    16 years ago
    Hi Stuart,

    I can tell you that your incorrect on that. You need a enterprise client per esx host plus one for the VCB proxy for VCB.

    You will be able to use VCB with one enterprise license because the licenses are trust based but your not actually covered correctly! One license will unlock the snapshot features which is what is required for VCB! Tier 3 must be that your VCB proxy has 3 or more cpu sockets I assume.

    We have had many discussions with symantec about this recently as i needed to check some licensing with them so I know this is correct.

    Please read below for a full explanation on it

    Thanks
  • SPresley's avatar
    SPresley
    Level 3
    16 years ago
    Giroevolver, thanks for all the details.  Just to confirm, if I have one VCB proxy, and 10 ESX hosts (with all Windows 2003 VMs), I would need 11 enterprise clients?

    As for backing up Exchange -- Exchange is currently a phsyical server for us (with the Exchange plugin license from NetBackup).  If we move it to Virtual someday, would that plugin still work (inside the VM), or do I need these database packs?  I'm not familiar with them.

    Thanks!
    Shane
  • Giroevolver's avatar
    Giroevolver
    Level 6
    16 years ago
    Hi Shane,

    Yes that is correct 1 for the proxy and 1 per host in your case.

    Your database pack for Exchange is still fine to use inside a VM also.

    Thanks
  • SPresley's avatar
    SPresley
    Level 3
    16 years ago
    Thanks again!

    Could anybody help with some part numbers.  I'd like a part number for:

    1) NETBACKUP ENTERPRISE CLIENT 6.5 WIN TIER 2 STD LICENSE.

    2) And then for the same thing, but as an upgrade from a standard client. 

    I poked around on cdw, but they have different part numbers based on "Symantec Buying Programs"



  • Giroevolver's avatar
    Giroevolver
    Level 6
    16 years ago
    Are you buying this direct with symantec?

    This is the part number I have for the enterprise client but I think it depends on discount bands 12527298.

    I dont think they do an upgrade from standard client to enterprise but maybe someone else will know.

    Please mark the solution when you have time.

    Thanks
  • SPresley's avatar
    SPresley
    Level 3
    16 years ago
    We'll probably go through a reseller, so I'll contact them. I think you're right about the discount bands.

    Thanks again for the help,
    Shane