Backup procedure and temp copy location

[PauloW]

Hi All,

I'm new to NetBackup and I have few questions regarding the backup procedure.

I plan to back up my SQL servers to LTO tapes. I've read about NetBackup creates a temp copy on the server itself and then copy this file to the tape repository. Am I able to skip this step of creating the temp copy and back up directly to Tape?

Second question is can I specify a different repository (a separate local hard drive on the server) to store this temp copy file? Or the temp copy file has to be on the same drive as where the SQL database is.

Thanks!!

P.

[Nicolai · Accepted solution]

That feature is probably the Disk Stagning Storage unit feature of Netbackup. This is a disk to disk to tape storage unit in Netbackup

Please see chapter 12 of the Netbackup adminstrator guide for working and configuration:

http://www.symantec.com/docs/DOC6452

You can also choose to send backup data direct to tape - it just a qustion of selecting the right storage unit in Netbackup.

[SymTerry]

This is DSSU. Also as pointed out by Nicolai, you don't have to use it when writing to tape.

One of he benefits of DSSU is so that your not waiting on the tape drive. The jobs can be staged to disk, which is faster, and then wait for a tape to be written to at its own pace without strain on the server being backed up. 

If this is not an issue for you, don't set up a DSSU.

[Marianne]

 I've read about NetBackup creates a temp copy on the server itself and then copy this file to the tape repository.

Maybe tell us where you have read this?

There is no such default in NBU.

Backup is written directly to the Storage Unit that is selected in the backup policy.
If the STU is Media Manager/tape, that is where the backup will be written.

Some dba's don't want to backup directly to NBU using the NBU for SQL agent.
They dump to local disk on the SQL server and then use a normal NBU filesystem policy to backup the dump to NBU.
Such a 2-step backup will also require a 2-step restore.

If you use the NBU for SQL agent to backup directly to NBU, backup and restore is a 1-step process.

See this manual to learn how the agent works and how to configure it:
NetBackup for Microsoft SQL Server Administrator's Guide  http://www.symantec.com/docs/DOC5173 

Rest of NBU 7.5 manuals: http://www.symantec.com/docs/DOC5138

[pri3006]

With regards to :

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I've read about NetBackup creates a temp copy on the server itself and then copy this file to the tape repository.

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Are you, by any chance, referring to the VDI?