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Advanced disk need same OS ?

edxi
Level 2
Certified

I have 3 media server (2 HP-UX and 1 Solaris). Now I want to enable Advanced disk on these server, have question below:

1. Could HP-UX and Solaris share SAN storage? (My storage is EVA 4400,and all host connected on one SAN switch)
2. Since Advanced Disk read a mount point(and mount point must be the same on each media server), Can I set same file system and mount point (share a LUN) on these server?
3. Except of life cycle and load balance, any advantage of Advanced Disk?(especially of  vs. VTL)

Thanks for any response!

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions

Marianne
Moderator
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Partner    VIP    Accredited Certified
If you are referring to SharedDisk option, then yes, they have to be same O/S.
Extract from Whitepaper
http://eval.symantec.com/mktginfo/enterprise/white_papers/b-whitepaper_nbu_disk_based_data_protection_options_4_2008.pdf

3.3.1 What is SharedDisk?
SharedDisk allows LUNs in a disk array to be shared between multiple Media Servers in the same way that tape drives can be shared with the Shared Storage Option. As in AdvancedDisk, the SharedDisk volumes can be defined in a disk pool, however in SharedDisk storage the disks are in a storage array and the disk pool is presented over a SAN connection to multiple Media Servers.
Disks in a SharedDisk disk pool are not presented to multiple Media Servers simultaneously; instead they are dynamically assigned to individual Media Servers when required. When a disk from the pool is assigned to a Media Server, the file system is mounted, and the backup image is then read or written. Once the backup or restore operation has completed the disk is dismounted and returned to the pool. Any disk within the disk pool may be presented to any Media Server at any time. Since a disk can be mounted on different Media Servers, the Media Servers participating in the pool must be the same platform type running the same operating system.

On page 11 & 12 of this whitepaper is a table that summarizes the advantages of intelligent disk devices over VTLs.

Also see this article regarding NBU disk options:
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/whitepaper-netbackup-disk-based-data-protection-options

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2 REPLIES 2

Marianne
Moderator
Moderator
Partner    VIP    Accredited Certified
If you are referring to SharedDisk option, then yes, they have to be same O/S.
Extract from Whitepaper
http://eval.symantec.com/mktginfo/enterprise/white_papers/b-whitepaper_nbu_disk_based_data_protection_options_4_2008.pdf

3.3.1 What is SharedDisk?
SharedDisk allows LUNs in a disk array to be shared between multiple Media Servers in the same way that tape drives can be shared with the Shared Storage Option. As in AdvancedDisk, the SharedDisk volumes can be defined in a disk pool, however in SharedDisk storage the disks are in a storage array and the disk pool is presented over a SAN connection to multiple Media Servers.
Disks in a SharedDisk disk pool are not presented to multiple Media Servers simultaneously; instead they are dynamically assigned to individual Media Servers when required. When a disk from the pool is assigned to a Media Server, the file system is mounted, and the backup image is then read or written. Once the backup or restore operation has completed the disk is dismounted and returned to the pool. Any disk within the disk pool may be presented to any Media Server at any time. Since a disk can be mounted on different Media Servers, the Media Servers participating in the pool must be the same platform type running the same operating system.

On page 11 & 12 of this whitepaper is a table that summarizes the advantages of intelligent disk devices over VTLs.

Also see this article regarding NBU disk options:
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/whitepaper-netbackup-disk-based-data-protection-options

Nicolai
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Moderator
Partner    VIP   

SharedDisk is discontinued in NBU 7.0 so I wouldn't recommend going down that path. However the answer to you're question is : maybe

You need the same OS, if :

You are using Advanced  disk with Veritas cluster file system and have the same LUN mounted on all 3 servers at the same time.

You don't need  the same OS if:

You are using Advanced disk, with 1(or more)  LUN private for each media server (non shared).

Hope this clarify. You may group the advanced disk storage units in a group to improve recourse utilization.


Best Regards
/home/Nicolai