Forum Discussion

telecomvn's avatar
telecomvn
Level 3
13 years ago

Solution to backup file from file server to tape library

Hi all

Currently, in our system, we have one file server with data stored in local disk, This file server is define as media server of Netbackup system.

The file server (Media server), Netbackup server and tape library are connecting to SAN Switch with Fiber link

When we run backup job for file server, may be the data is backup via TCP/IP network card. It hasn't used connection to SAN switch on File server.

We need to define flow on netbackup, if we backup for media server, the data flow will be run from local disk(media server)>>>San switch>>> Tape.

How can we do that? could you please share your info.

Please see attachment for more detail about our structure

 

Thanks on

 

 

Backing Up
Backup and Recovery
NetBackup
  • mph999's avatar
    mph999
    13 years ago

    "About media server, the data to backup is store in local disks of media server, so that make sure that media server can see the data stored itself. Media server connected to tape library via Switch"

    Excellent - totally correct.

    The HBA utility may show the flow of data rates, for example, HBAnywhere .  THis utility is dependant on the HBA make.

    What you can also do ...

    Solaris example.

    iostat -nX

     

        r/s    w/s   kr/s   kw/s wait actv wsvc_t asvc_t  %w  %b device
        0.0    0.0    0.0    0.0  0.0  0.0    0.0    0.0   0   0 ramdisk1
        0.0    0.0    0.0    0.0  0.0  0.0    0.0    0.6   0   0 c0t0d0
        0.3    0.8    3.6   19.7  0.0  0.0    0.0   13.9   0   0 c1t0d0
        0.6    1.7   31.6   31.1  0.0  0.0    0.0    4.2   0   0 c1t1d0
     
    Here I could see the rate of data transfer when the backup is running.
     
    Providing the STU only has the media server name in there, it should be fine.
     
    I think you are asking how to check, as opposed to knowing the data is going the wrong way.
     
    There are probably many many wasy to look at this, another easy way :
     
    Run the backup job
    Look in Activity Monitor details for the job to see the tape used
    Run vmoprcmd and check which media server has that tape loaded
     
    Does this help ?
     
    Martin
     
     
     

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  • mph999's avatar
    mph999
    Level 6
    13 years ago

    Thanks for the pic, very useful.

    To ensure the backup of the file server goes straight to the drives ...

    1./  Ensure the media server can see the drives, and from the os they are working

    2.  Define a storage unit that has ONLY the file serevr (media serevr) name defined.

    3.  In the backup policy, specifiy this STU to be used.

    I think that should then work.

    ( A small amount of data will go across to the master server , for the metadata/ catalog information)

    Martin

  • Nicolai's avatar
    Nicolai
    Moderator
    13 years ago

    The solution you are looking for is called Netbackup SAN media server

    Designed for customers who would prefer to utilize their storage area network (SAN) for backup operations instead of their local area network (LAN). This feature enables LANfree data protection with high-performance access to shared resources.

    http://www.symantec.com/products/agents_options.jsp?pcid=pcat_storage&pvid=2_1

    Pls note there is a option call SAN client - But that is something different

  • telecomvn's avatar
    telecomvn
    Level 3
    13 years ago

    Hi Martin

    Thanks for your quick help

    About media server, the data to backup is store in local disks of media server, so that make sure that media server can see the data stored itself. Media server connected to tape library via Switch.

    And currently, we had defined storage on NBU for media server.

    How can we see the data flow on NBU to make the data backed up will run via flow media server>>San Switch >> tape libary

     

    Thanks

  • Marianne's avatar
    Marianne
    Level 6
    13 years ago

    In addition to Martin and Nicolai's excellent posts, you may want to SHARE tape drives in NBU (the alternative is to zone/assign dedicated tape drives to each server).

    For tape sharing, all tape drives must be zoned to all media servers plus you need to have the following 2 license keys on all of these server (in addition to NBU Enterprise Server or Enterprise Client license):

    Library Based Tape Drives
    Shared Storage Option

    You can then use the Device Config Wizard to configure shared drives on all servers simultaneously.

    If you have Enterprise Client license on File Server, you must select 'On Demand Only' in STU properties.

     

  • telecomvn's avatar
    telecomvn
    Level 3
    13 years ago

    Hi Nicolai

    Our data stored on local disk of media server (not connect to data on san storage).

    We are only user HBA card to connect to San switch for connecting to tape driver

    have any difference with structure of SAN media server

    Thanks

  • mph999's avatar
    mph999
    Level 6
    13 years ago

    "About media server, the data to backup is store in local disks of media server, so that make sure that media server can see the data stored itself. Media server connected to tape library via Switch"

    Excellent - totally correct.

    The HBA utility may show the flow of data rates, for example, HBAnywhere .  THis utility is dependant on the HBA make.

    What you can also do ...

    Solaris example.

    iostat -nX

     

        r/s    w/s   kr/s   kw/s wait actv wsvc_t asvc_t  %w  %b device
        0.0    0.0    0.0    0.0  0.0  0.0    0.0    0.0   0   0 ramdisk1
        0.0    0.0    0.0    0.0  0.0  0.0    0.0    0.6   0   0 c0t0d0
        0.3    0.8    3.6   19.7  0.0  0.0    0.0   13.9   0   0 c1t0d0
        0.6    1.7   31.6   31.1  0.0  0.0    0.0    4.2   0   0 c1t1d0
     
    Here I could see the rate of data transfer when the backup is running.
     
    Providing the STU only has the media server name in there, it should be fine.
     
    I think you are asking how to check, as opposed to knowing the data is going the wrong way.
     
    There are probably many many wasy to look at this, another easy way :
     
    Run the backup job
    Look in Activity Monitor details for the job to see the tape used
    Run vmoprcmd and check which media server has that tape loaded
     
    Does this help ?
     
    Martin
     
     
     
  • Yogesh9881's avatar
    Yogesh9881
    Level 6
    13 years ago

    *****  little confusion here

    As per telecomvn's understanding if he is using Netbackup Client as a media server then data should directly go to Client/media server --> SAN s/w ---> Tape. It should be LAN free backup

    I think he want to know "how he can check data flow from -- Media server --> SAN switch --> Tape Libary"