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SAN Backup : You can direct the backup from the source to the tape library ??

Esteban_Xpears
Level 4
Partner Accredited Certified

Hello everyone,

In one of our clients we have the following environment BE 2014:

Within the SAN , connected in the same zone:

  • 1 Windows File Server with 15 TB (approximate). RAWS is installed.
  • 1 Netapp Storage , referencing the File Server LUN shelter where 15 TB of data.
  • 1 Libreria IBM TS3200 with 2 drivers .
  • 1 Backup Exec 2014 SP1 on a Windows 2008 STD .

More information:

  • This customer has licensed BE VRay with Enterprise Option implemented in this environment.
  • In this environment there is no space in the storage or other disks to allocate backup.
  • The goal is to allocate the backup to tape.

The " big question "  :

It is possible to derive the backup from the File Server to the robotic library , bypassing the Media Server ? This feature Shared Storage Option included Option in BE previous versions, but not as it is now with BE 2014. As we all know , this now integrates Enterprise Option license , but can not find information in the BE 2014 Administration Guide.

If possible , which requirements and settings should I know ?

Thanks as always!

 

 

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions

Colin_Weaver
Moderator
Moderator
Employee Accredited Certified

NetApps do not appear to be supported for off-host, you need to carefully check the Hardware Compatibility List (VSS Providers for Offhost backup section) HCL is available here: http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH214803

Also because it is a LUN on the NetApp if you use the NDMP option you get one large file backed up which represents the LUN and there will therefore be no individual file restore capability.

As such you only way to do a practical LAN free backup would be to make the file server into a media server and attach the library to it. 

 

This is the sort of reason why I posted that blog (link earlier in this thread) as the environment makes a huge difference as to which LAN free options are possible (as for any given environment most of them won't work) and in your case (for your file server):

  • NDMP would result in limited restore availabiluty (so not recommended)
  • Off-host is not supported for NetApps
  • SAN Transport does not apply as you are talking about a LUN carved out to a file server and not a LUN containing VMs (VMware)
  • RMAL does not apply as Linux is not involved
  • Secondary Backup Network is possible but this would be between the file server and the media server and not direct from the disk storage.

 

View solution in original post

6 REPLIES 6

VJware
Level 6
Employee Accredited Certified

The SAN SSO option was primarily used to share tape devices between multiple media servers.

In your case, if the tape library is directly attached to the NetApp filer, consider using the NDMP option. This KB will give more details about this option - http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH48957

Colin_Weaver
Moderator
Moderator
Employee Accredited Certified

As you have mentioned a LUN then the NDMP option is not the best choice, because the NDMP option will see the LUN as one large file so give no ability to restore individual files from within the LUN.

As such if you want to do a SAN backup of the fileserver where one of the file server volumes is held in a LUN on the NetApp and also want to be able to restore individual files than then only way to do a SAN backup is make the file server into a media server and attach the tape drive to it as well.

That said however you have mentioned V_ray licensing which implies virtualization technology in use, however you have not stated what is virtualized or whether this is Hyper-V, VMware or something else. If  the file server is in a datastore on the LUN on the NetApp then SAN Transport would be best option.

Basically you have given us enough environmental detail to realize that we need more information but then not provided enough for us to give a good answer

 

One final point if virtual machines are involved in your solution then you really need to think about disk storage targets for initial backups with duplication to tape afterwards. Reason for this is the GRT restores from tape stage back to disk anyway so a) take ages to run and b) use disk space anyway.

Colin_Weaver
Moderator
Moderator
Employee Accredited Certified

I have explained some of the environmental configurations and how you might achieve a LAN free or SAN backup here:

 

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

Esteban_Xpears
Level 4
Partner Accredited Certified

Collin, thanks for response.

 

I mention this Windows File Server is a physical computer. Having mapped LUN and volume to allocate 15TB of information with users on their network folders.

 

With V - Ray virtual machines are supported in a VMware environment have for their datastores on different LUNs and backup goes to a folder on a LUN presented Netapp . This LUN technology de-duplicates directly with Netapp and not with Backup Exec for issue of lack of resources in the Media Server.

As I see the option to which I am referring is Off -Host Backups .
The issue is that this depends largely on whether the Netapp is supported in HCL . If the hardware is supported , as should be the settings in the Media Server ?

 

Thanks!

 

Esteban

Esteban_Xpears
Level 4
Partner Accredited Certified

Collin, find what I was looking for .http://www.symantec.com/docs/HOWTO99689

 

. Thanks !!

Colin_Weaver
Moderator
Moderator
Employee Accredited Certified

NetApps do not appear to be supported for off-host, you need to carefully check the Hardware Compatibility List (VSS Providers for Offhost backup section) HCL is available here: http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH214803

Also because it is a LUN on the NetApp if you use the NDMP option you get one large file backed up which represents the LUN and there will therefore be no individual file restore capability.

As such you only way to do a practical LAN free backup would be to make the file server into a media server and attach the library to it. 

 

This is the sort of reason why I posted that blog (link earlier in this thread) as the environment makes a huge difference as to which LAN free options are possible (as for any given environment most of them won't work) and in your case (for your file server):

  • NDMP would result in limited restore availabiluty (so not recommended)
  • Off-host is not supported for NetApps
  • SAN Transport does not apply as you are talking about a LUN carved out to a file server and not a LUN containing VMs (VMware)
  • RMAL does not apply as Linux is not involved
  • Secondary Backup Network is possible but this would be between the file server and the media server and not direct from the disk storage.