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Backup Exec SAN style backup

Mazhar6520
Level 4

Hi,

 

I have the below scenario and need to know the SAN backup.

2x Physical server with 2xExchange servers clustered need SAN backup

2x VM host's running 2x SQL db need SAN backup

 

Do i need 4 Backup Exec core licenses along with 4 Application & db and 2xagent for VMware ?

or will I need 1x Backup exec server with 4 Application & db and 2xagent for VMware ?

I also have NAS storage from EMC. Is it need any license?

Thanks

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions

CraigV
Moderator
Moderator
Partner    VIP    Accredited

Hi,

 

No, you need the Enterprise Server Option which has SAN SSO and CASO, both of which are required for SAN backups.

Or, simply load Backup Exec media server + agent on the servers in question and present a LUN/s to the respective servers and back them up directly to the LUN.

SAN SSO and CASO will allow you to control how multiple media server access a SAN-based storage device such as a tape library. But with VMs in the mix here, this wouldn't be a supported configuration, and would be overkill.

My personal setup would be:

* load Backup Exec on each cluster node with the agent, present LUN/s to the cluster from the VNX and configure a B2D. Configure the backup job to point to this.

* Do the same for the VMs.

Licensing queries should be directed to Veritas as they have the final say on the correct licensing, but read below:

http://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0CBsQFjAAa... (Licensing Guide...sorry for the looooong link!)

https://www.veritas.com/support/en_US/article.HOWTO24286 (SAN SSO + CASO)

Thanks!

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9 REPLIES 9

pkh
Moderator
Moderator
   VIP    Certified

You need 1 core BE licence + 2 x VMWare agent licences + 4 x Agent for Applications and Databases licences

If you are backing up to the NAS then there is no need for any licence.

For your SAN backup, see this blog

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/blogs/lan-free-including-san-backup-configurations-backup-exec

CraigV
Moderator
Moderator
Partner    VIP    Accredited

Hi,

 

No, you need the Enterprise Server Option which has SAN SSO and CASO, both of which are required for SAN backups.

Or, simply load Backup Exec media server + agent on the servers in question and present a LUN/s to the respective servers and back them up directly to the LUN.

SAN SSO and CASO will allow you to control how multiple media server access a SAN-based storage device such as a tape library. But with VMs in the mix here, this wouldn't be a supported configuration, and would be overkill.

My personal setup would be:

* load Backup Exec on each cluster node with the agent, present LUN/s to the cluster from the VNX and configure a B2D. Configure the backup job to point to this.

* Do the same for the VMs.

Licensing queries should be directed to Veritas as they have the final say on the correct licensing, but read below:

http://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0CBsQFjAAa... (Licensing Guide...sorry for the looooong link!)

https://www.veritas.com/support/en_US/article.HOWTO24286 (SAN SSO + CASO)

Thanks!

Mazhar6520
Level 4

That means 1x ESO will be suffienet to cover all 4 server's which needs SAN style backup?

To load BE on each cluster means i need to puchase additional 4x BE core license or you mean the agent for application & database will be suffient for SAN style backup? Please clarify

CraigV
Moderator
Moderator
Partner    VIP    Accredited

1 server is designated with the ESO role which allows it to run CASO and SAN SSO. However, are you going to backup all the data to a single B2D as I don't think this is recommended? In which case loading BE (full installation) with required agents and presenting a LUN to it would also allow you to backup to the SAN.

Mazhar6520
Level 4

I will be using internal disks on servers to the b2d (NAS storage) and then tape out.

The Backup server will be connected over san. For physical server i think we need to install full installation of BE server and then enable the agent on exchange server. Is this right procedure for SAN back up?

 

But for VM do i need to follow the same procedure with full installation and enable the agent for SQL?

CraigV
Moderator
Moderator
Partner    VIP    Accredited

Hi,

 

for the physical server, as long as it is connected to the SAN you'd install BE and then the license for Exchange. Obviously you need to zone this server to see the storage array as well as the tape. Configure primary backup-to-disk and then duplicate to tape.

For the other servers you can look at SAN Transport Mode...read below:

https://www.veritas.com/support/en_US/article.TECH155831

This will backup your VMs across the SAN, and should be a bit cheaper too. Confirm this with the Veritas licensing department.

Is the Exchange cluster going to be your primary media server, or do you have another in place? If there is a stand-alone media server then you would unfortunately be required to run the ESO license on that server.

Also read below on how to install Backup Exec on a cluster:

https://www.veritas.com/support/en_US/article.HOWTO99043

https://www.veritas.com/support/en_US/article.HOWTO74445 (Best practices)

Thanks!

Mazhar6520
Level 4

Hi Craig,

 

Thank you for your brief explanation.

I think we need to purchase ESO as there will be saperate media server apart from Backup Exec server.

Is ESO licensing based on per server or 1 license is sufficient for domain?

Thanks

CraigV
Moderator
Moderator
Partner    VIP    Accredited

It would be licensed for the main server, but check the licensing document I supplied as this also clears up a lot.

Thanks!

Colin_Weaver
Moderator
Moderator
Employee Accredited Certified

The fact the Exchange is clustered is going to make SAN backup interesting as you would have to guarantee that the Backup Exec Server that does the backup is the one on the active node of Exchange at the time which might have to be done manually

You could cluster Backup Exec between the nodes as well but even then you would have to make sure it fails over when Exchange does.

As such you might be better off going for a secondary LAN  using an extra network card in the Backup Exe serevr and all modes of the Exchange cluster (with the Exchange cluster object hasving addressed on both LANs) and to do the backup over the secondary LAN with your SAN storage for the backup target attached to the Backup Exec server