11-12-2012 07:08 AM
I have the following environment to backup:
2 esxi servers
1 vCenter
1 Domain Controller
1 Exchange
1 Database
1 Fileserver
Each of these servers are virtual machines including vcenter.
From what I understand, for backing up the above mentioned machines, through vCenter, I need:
4 App & DB agent licenses (for DC, Exchange, Database and vCenter through the Servers tab not through vcenter as vm)
2 VMware licenses (for both ESXi heads and file/folder and vmdk recovery of each VM)
1 Backup Exec 2012 license
Now, when I run the license assessment, I see the following:
Agent for App & DB licenses used 2 (????) - feature type AD and SQL for vcenter
Agent for VMware licenses used 1 (????) - feature type VMWare for virtual center
Agent for windows licenses used 1 (????) - server - vcenter
Backup exec 2012 licenses used 1
There are 3 problems here:
1. Only vCenter "eats" 3 licenses for SQL, AD and Windows server.
2. Neither Exchange, DC, SQL require licenses according to the license assessment. I have to mention that I have successfully backed-up these server through vcenter and I am able to see the AD entries, the Exchange mailboxes and the SQL databases.
3. Only 1 license for VMware required when I have 2 ESXi servers
I need some help on establishing the correct number o licenses required for the above backup tasks so we can assess our future purchase.
Regards,
Vlad
Solved! Go to Solution.
11-13-2012 05:53 AM
Windows license for a backup of the vCenter using the physical agent (backup of local drives, system state etc requires windows agent license)...And the BELAT is just an informative tool.
11-12-2012 07:16 AM
You need following license.
1) Exchange: 1 Agent for App & DB license per Exchange server.
2) Database: 1 Agent for App & DB license per server (SQL or Oracle)
3) DC: 1 Agent for App and DB license per DC* ( only if you want to perform restore of AD objects other
wise Remote Agent for Windows can backup System State which includes AD database)
4) 1 AVVI license per ESX
5) Fileserver : No Remote agent license is required since with AVVI license you can install Remote
agent on all VM's without Remote Agent license. (Flat files only)
6) 1 BE core product license.
11-12-2012 07:24 AM
Thank you for your answer, but I think you forgot the vCenter Server backup itself.
From what I see, the vCenter suite comes preinstalled with an SQL server express, and an ADAM instance. The license assesment indicates that I must have (in case of a server backup not through vmware api) a license for AD, for SQL (this I understand) and a license for windows server.
What is your opinion on this?
Thanks,
Vlad
11-13-2012 12:49 AM
With an VMware (AVVI) license, you get unlimited agent licenses for windows & linux for agents installed in the VMs...If planning Application GRT for these VMs ( such as AD, Exchange, SQL, Sharepoint), then you would need the appropriate application licenses as well..
If you are planning to take a backup through the regular agent and not through the VMware (AVVI) agent, in other words backing them up as if they were a physical machine, you would need to get remote agent licenses...
11-13-2012 05:25 AM
Thank you for further clarifying, but this I understood.
The thing that needs an explanation is why a physical backup of a vCenter Server needs 2 APP agent licenses and 1 windows agent license (according to licenses assesment). Like I said earlier vCenter has an SQL and ADAM instance.
11-13-2012 05:31 AM
vCenter has an SQL and ADAM instance.
This is the reason as to why the tool recommends two Application Agent licenses..
11-13-2012 05:41 AM
ok, true, but why does it ask for a windows agent license?
And a final question, if the license assessment tool is buggy, can it have a negative impact on the backup and restore jobs, even though, legally, you have the correct number of licenses, or is it just an information tool?
Thanks,
Vlad
11-13-2012 05:53 AM
Windows license for a backup of the vCenter using the physical agent (backup of local drives, system state etc requires windows agent license)...And the BELAT is just an informative tool.