BE 2010 R2 + IBM TS3100 + VMware ESXi 4

[Arvind_S__Yadav]

Hi,

   We installed Backup Exec 2010 R2 on a Windows 2003 SP 2 Server which is running on an ESXi 4 as a VM as well as IBM TS3100 Tape library mounted on same server. Tape drivers, Medium changers and Backup Exec successfully installed on Win2003. When we opened BE console and check Device option, we couldn’t found any tape drive or slots, it is only showing "discovery devices". 

     Previously it was working fine in ESX3.5 version with same configuration, one week before we upgrade the ESX 3.5 to ESXi 4.0 version. From that day reported problem has started. 

Could someone help me or give me an idea what I can do to fix the problem? That will be great.

Best regards  

Arvind  Yadav

[Colin_Weaver · Accepted solution]

Symantec has never officially tested/certified Backup Exec for hardware tape device access from inside a VM. Again ESX 3.5 a document from VMWare exists that states only Adaptec SCSI cards can be used (which was refelected in one of our documents.)

For ESX 4.x VMWare changed their documentation to put the responsibility on the software vendor.

As we have not tested scenarios with physical tape devices passed through into Virtual Media Servers , if you have problems Symantec suggests that your media server should be a physical server

EDIT: Our official article on the subject:

http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH146293

[Arvind_S__Yadav]

Hi,

    Thanks for given update on reproted problem. I have also found same reported forum on VM. 

http://communities.vmware.com/message/1499876

Here also they suggested use the BE and Tape Library on Physical system

Warm Regards,

Arvind Yadav