Expanding 5220 appliance storage in future

[vksingh]

A brief description of our plan

2 x 5220 appliance - one at each data center. Both replication to each other - DR for each other.

Monthly write full backups to tapes for long term retention - 7 yrs in our case

Max size that can be assigned to a Media server for deduplication pool is 32 TB (https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/information-about-deduplication-netbackup-71)

So if you start with 5220, what are the options if in future you need more storage? How does the setup by adding in a 5000 appliance work? Will it require another Media server? What happens to the storage capacity on 5220?

OR

Can I add another 5220 as a Media server to my first 5220 as it is working as a Master & Media server? But with option deduplicaion will be less as two separate pools

Many thanks

[AbdulRasheed]

Hi vksing,

  As you already know, NetBackup 5220 can scale up (storage expansion) from 4TB to 32TB for deduplication pool. Or you can scale-out (storage, processing and network bandwidth expansion) using NetBackup 5000 series (5000 or 5020) based appliances behind a NetBackup 5220. In the latter case NetBackup 5220 will act as the media server for one or more NetBackup 5000 series based appliances. 

  If your environment requires more than 32TB of dedupe storage per site, I would recommend starting with a NetBackup 5220 (the base model with 4TB) and a NetBackup 5020 on each site. You can expand the pool as more storage is required. This way you are getting global deduplication pools on each site with the scalbility and flexibility to add more as the environment grows. 

[vksingh]

Any specific benefits in getting a 5220 in THIS setup instead of a standard HP/Dell server? Meaning benefits of 5220 with 5020 instead of HP/DELL server as Master & Media server and 5020 for deduplication pool

[AbdulRasheed]

Hi vksing,

  Whether you prefer building your own media server or buy an appliance to do the job depends on your business needs. The main advantage of appliance in this case is that you get to deploy your media server in a matter of minutes as all the work is already done for you. You don't have to worry about evaluating various specifications for system hardware, operating system, other programs to meet IT requirements etc. You also have a single point of contact for your support needs with an appliance. If your alternate site is not managed by a NetBackup administrator, it is better to have an appliance there for easier management.

  Symantec will continue to offer NetBackup in both software and hardware form factors. The goal is to provide you the choice. NetBackup appliances are turn key solutions.

[donypie]

One big advantage of 5220 vs media server build with your own server :

• FC (Fibre channel) is supported between 5220 and 5020;
• FC is not supported between media server build by client and 5020, only IP.

I think Symantec has to change that.

Kind regards,

Pierre.

[AbdulRasheed]

Hi Pierre,

  Thank you for the feedback. It would be nice if you could post that as an idea for community members to vote on. Symantec is actively listening to know what customers are looking for.