vCenter Backup using Backup Exec 2012 - agent licensing question

[Vlad_Velciu]

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

[AmolB]

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.

[Vlad_Velciu]

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

[VJware]

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...

[Vlad_Velciu]

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.

[VJware]

vCenter has an SQL and ADAM instance.

This is the reason as to why the tool recommends two Application Agent licenses..

[Vlad_Velciu]

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

[VJware · Accepted solution]

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.