NDMP Option for backing up data from EMC VNX SAN directly?

[AHCA]

Hello,

We were wondering if someone could offer some insight into the NDMP option for BE.

Some background about our environment:

BE 2010R3 is running on Windows Server 2008 R2. We are currently using an EMC VNX SAN with an NFS LUN presented through the data movers mounted on a Linux server. We are backing up this linux server using the "Follow remote mount points" option checked in the job settings and it works fine.

We are wanting to explore the NDMP option and were basically wondering if it would allow us to back up data that is sitting on LUNs presented via the EMC data movers directly, bypassing the Linux box?

Also, if the above is possible, should the backup method "Full - backup and delete the files" work properly? We attempted a backup job with the current configuration and it did not remove the files it backed up. It gave a warning, which led to this technote:http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH167909&actp=search&viewlocale=en_...

Any advice would be much appreciated!

[Kiran_Bandi · Accepted solution]

We are wanting to explore the NDMP option and were basically wondering if it would allow us to back up data that is sitting on LUNs presented via the EMC data movers directly, bypassing the Linux box?

Yes, using NDMP option you can backup the data residing on filers directly to tape devices. Connect tape devices to AUX ports on DMs for direct backups.

Also, if the above is possible, should the backup method "Full - backup and delete the files" work properly?

I have not tested it. You can try it with some test selections.

You can install Backup Exec NDMP option as a trial for 60 days. Configure your environment for direct backups, configure logon accounts and test the backups. 

Have a look at this TN: http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH49622

Note: Your filer must be running VNX file version 7.0 minimum to be supported to use BE NDMP option.

You can also check for a NDMP configuration document in Powerlink, which will prove to be very much helpful during planning and configuration.

EDIT: Here is an EMC document: How to configre NDMP backups on VNX.

All the required information to successfully complete the configuration is available in the guide.

Step-by-step detail about configuring NDMP backups with Backup Exec is available strating from pg no 158.

Thanks....

[Colin_Weaver]

If you do an NDMP Backup it will see the LUN as the native file system of the Celerra sees it - which I suspect might mean it is a single large file that is actually the container for the files that the Linux System wrote into the LUN.

You can backup this file, but then you can only restore this complete file  you will have no granularity to select an individual file from within it. Hence it is probably better to continue backing up through RALUS , which will be a slower process but will give better restore options.

BTW I am basing the above on what happens with a LUN attached to a Windows server on a NetApp, and what happens if you do an NDMP Backup, I can't check the NFS LUN on a Celerra scenario so it is possible there are differences in operation

[AHCA]

Thanks for the responses!