Backup Exe lost "san" transport mode after update

[vrdams]

Dear All,

I have recently updated Backup Exec 2010 R3 to the latest patch, however I discovered that the "san" transport mode in vmware option disappeared after update. There used to be 4 options "san", "nbd", "hotadd", "nbdssl", but now only "nbd", "hotadd" and "nbdssl" is left. 

I was getting the update aiming to solve problem associated with differential restore with vmware backup using "san" mode (hotfix 167791), but now the mode option is removed altogether.

Is this intended? Solving broken features by removing it?

Regards,
Alex Lam

[ArulPrasad]

Hello Alex,

Symantec and VMware have identified a background problem against how SAN communication for restores is handled between Backup Exec and VMware that at this current time we do not believe can actually be fixed. Do to this issue Symantec has withdrawn the support for SAN transport restores using Backup Exec 2010 R3

 http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH178741
 

Regards,

Arul

[vrdams]

As the problem affects only differentials but not fulls, can I restore the function by uninstalling the hotfix 173536?

Alex

[RahulG]

refer https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/blogs/setting-backup-exec-2010-r3-use-san-transport-mode-bac...

[vrdams]

The link provided refers to backup, but the problem happends in the restore of vms.

It just that sometimes it works some times it don't.

So any idea how to make it work?

Alex

[ArulPrasad]

well If You remove the HF it

well If You remove the HF it will revoke the SAN option. But that Does not guarantee You the restore might yield a good result. Either the Job might Fail or it might Lead to a machine witho No boot.

But It is not Exactly the results, Possibility You might get a successfull results.

Ref to Vmware KB Article For Further update:

http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2010428

[vrdams]

I still don't get it, the article indicates that vdisklib does not recognize an offline and return success even when the lun is offline, but my luns were always online, but the restore jobs still fail. i am even more confused.

[Colin_Weaver]

Symantec believes that the issue in VMware's document for offline also applies equally for online and have been in discussions with VMware abouth this. Those ongoing discussions have shown that any timescales for solution would be too long for us to be able to state we can support SAN Transport for restores in the current version (or the impending 2012 version) at this current time. As such we have reluctantly  taken the decision to remove support to make sure that customers do not try to use something that is questionable on reliability.

Note 1: We may re-introduce it at some future point in time but can't commit to it.

Note 2: This only affects restores, SAN mode backups will still be available.

EDIT: Tech Articles

SAN mode removal http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH178741

Hotfix release notes http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH173536