on 03-16-2010 06:20 AM
I am busy going through the process of upgrading our Backup Exec 12.5 servers (with 2 CASOs) to Backup Exec 2010, in order to take advantage of the new features introduced in the new software.
However, I have come across a number of issues and problems, and the article below will tell you what to look out for, and what to do prior to upgrading your environment.
1. Backups of your data
Having run through a number of upgrades from Backup Exec 12.5 to Backup Exec 2010, was caught out initially on the first failure...I hadn't made a backup of my Data and Catalogs olders. This was stupidly based on the first 3 successful upgrades I had done. When the upgrade failed, it had also erased all my data.
Before running through the actualy upgrade process, stop all your Backup Exec services, and copy your Data and Catalogs folders to a separate location. This is going to ensure that if you have any issues during the upgrade, you will be able to revert back to your original information.
2. Stop all antivirus activity
I suspected that McAfee Antivirus was causing issues on some of my failed upgrades. I hadn’t factored this into the equAtion, as it hadn’t caused issues before with the upgrades from Backup Exec 11D to Backup Exec 12.5. The only change between the 2 upgrade cycles, was that we had moved from EPO 3.5 to EPO 4.0.
My suggestion is to stop your antivirus services, and then set them to disabled during the upgrade process. Once this process has completed, you are then able to set your services to their original settings, and start up the services. Doing this will make sure that the AV is not blocking any sort of activity deemed virus-like (such as installing new *.dlls, accessing folders etc.).
3. Make sure your installation media works
There seems to be a couple of issues doing the rounds now with Backup Exec 2010 downloadable installation files. There are 2: a single 3GB ISO, and multiple 780MB ISOs which are combined using a batch file. Before proceeding with your installation, try a test installation on another server/VM, and make sure you are able to run right through the installation. This is going to save time (for those of you not having access to slow Internet links) if you have a corrupt file for some reason.
4. Make sure the applications you want to back up are on the SCL
There are a number of software products that are no longer on the Backup Exec 2010 SCL. Exchange 2000 comes to mind. Download the Backup Exec 2010 SCL, and make sure that your applications are supported. If not, it is going to mean either staying with your current version of Backup Exec, or upgrading your softwae.
You can get the Backup Exec 2010 SCL here...
http://seer.entsupport.symantec.com/docs/329254.htm
5. Schedule proper downtime
There is nothing worse than starting an upgrade, and on completing it, finding out you cannot restart the server due to workload by users. Schedule proper downtime for the upgrade for Backup Exec 2010, as you will need to restart your media server.
As for upgrading the RAWS agents, I have yet to restart a remote server. However, considering this is from RAWS 12.5 to RAWS 2010, anything earlier will most likely need a restart, so factor that in too.
6. Get all the patches
With the new software out, you would want to have all the update patches currently available. This will allow you to patch what needs to be patched, and have a baseline from which to work going forward.
7. Remove your server from a CASO prior to the upgrade
I have seen some issues with the CASO in use. In my situation, I created a new VM with Backup Exec 2010 CASO installed, and then upgraded a client. However, moving from the old CASO (running 12.5) to this caused issues, and ended up with me hacking the old CASO’s entries out of the newly upgraded server, and then adding the server to the new CASO. Lots of wasted time!
My suggestion is to remove the server from the old CASO first before the upgrade. This will make sure all entries are removed from the registry, returning the server to a stand-alone solution again. Adding it to the new CASO server is easy enough.
The above is by no means an exhaustive list of what you should be doing, and looking at. You can use the same process when upgrading between Backup Exec versions, excluding the multi-step upgrade from Backup Exec 10d to Backup Exec 12.5 for example.
If you have any other ideas, post them at the bottom of this...it all helps!
Great suggestions!
You should also review the following document:
Best practices for Backup Exec 2010 installation
http://entsupport.symantec.com/docs/340867
And one more item that will be added to this document soon is if possible, have the install media local to the machine being installed to. This is not a requirement, but it avoids time outs and other difficulties due to network connectivity.
32-bit Media Server
Microsoft Exchange 2000 Supported
64-bit Media Server
Microsoft Exchange 2000 Supported [2]
2. Microsoft Exchange granular recovery is supported on Backup Exec x64bit Media Servers.
Not that I have any clients running Exchange 2000, I just thought it was an odd comment.
Mmm...I must have my eyes checked...thanks for pointing that out. I was sure it said that Exchange 2000 wasn't supported.
Simplifies management by providing concise information and centralized management of multiple Backup Exec media servers across the network:
Robust and scalable solution, enabling centrally managed operations, load balancing, distributed catalogs, bandwidth throttling, fault tolerance, and monitoring and reporting for many Backup Exec media servers in a Windows data center, distributed throughout the network or at remote offices.
The Central Admin Server Option makes Backup Exec simple to grow and effortless to manage. Operations can continue uninterrupted on the managed media server even when there is a non-persistent network connection to the central administration server
Put a screendump here, or log a forum query.
In my case, I suspected McAfee was blocking something it thought was virus-like activity during the SQL upgrade, and that is where it bombed!
Backup Exec was giving me a ccsvchst.exe appcrash error. Eventually figured out there was some sort of conflict with Norton Internet Security due to an old file. Just a reminder that it's always important to clean out old versions of software.
I liked this advise, you should always backup your data. This should apply to other appliacations and programs as well (any improtant data that you have got on your pc), since people tends to backup their data only after they felt the pain of losing their data one way or another.
Hello Guys,
happy new year . I need some help. I`m new in the Backup Exec Stuff. Came from DataProtector and Legato Networker. Tomorrow I have to do an upgrade on customer site.
Upgrade from 12.5 up to the latest 2010. But I have to reinstall the BE Server because it is an Windows 2008 32-bit. (Am I right that BE 2010 need a 64 Bit enviroment?)
I would like to backup the "old" installation (Complete) and backup the cataolog files according to http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH74415 to another location. After that I install the OS (Server 2008 64 bit) and do an install of the new BE Software. After importing the catalog does BE typically "know" his old enviroment or do I have to do other things for making this working?
Sorry for my bad english.
Maybe there is a good documention for this and somebody can show me the link....
Thanks in advance!
Yours,
Frank
...I found out that an upgrade of BE Server OS from 32-bit to 64-bit is not neccessary.
32-bit version supportet (according to SCL)....
So it should be easier. Only to backup the catalog files.
Greetings,
Frank
Hi Frank,
If you plan to use deduplication and back up Exchange 2010 servers, then your OS has to be x64. If not, x32 does the trick just fine...
We will be moving to Exchange 2010 later this year and we currently are on BE 12.5 with an Exchange agent running.....will we need ot upgrasde to BE 2010 first, will we need a 64-bit OS for it if so?
Thanks!
Hi Wellsoft,
Your OS must be x64 to back up Exchange 2010, so get that upgraded/installed first before upgrading BE.
What makes backup exec 2010 different from other utilitites?
Hi,
It isn't a utility. BE 2010 R2 is different in that it supports newer software (basically just an R2 version of BE 2010)...dedupe has been optimized.
Check the Admin Guide and the SCL/HCL for a better understanding.
Laters!
Almost any antivirus can interfere with backup. It is always better to turn it off and not take the chance. I have also learned the hard way!
...and if your server gets virused?
Best bet is to rather use the Symantec best practice and exclude the services from the active scanning.
Hi
I tried pushing out the Agent for Windows on 4 of my servers. It went trhu perfectly on 2.
The other 2 are failing with error code 1603. I looked it up and it seems to be permissions on registry entries and folder permissions under prgram files\symantec\...
I tried doing a local install on those servers as well from the Raw32 Directory and i get teh same errors.
Anyone have ideas perhaps..
thanks
Hi Faeed,
Check the Backup Exec forum. There is a running query on the same error. Otherwise please open a new forum query.
Thanks!
When attempting to add product keys for Backup Exec 2010 you receive the error "SAN Shared Storage Option is no longer licensed in this upgrade."