Convert Linux Master Server to Windows Master Server

[PM-Net-Work-Adm]

Running NBU 7.6.0.1 on RHEL 6.3 single Master server with a Scalar i80 four drive library.  Backing up Windows and Linux servers, Oracle, Exchange and File backups.  While the backups are super efficient with multiplexing, the network bonding and functionality with Linux seems very weak.  Maybe its just RHEL 6.3.

Considering migrating to a Windows 2012 R2 Master server.  I've done a Unix to Linux recovery/migration/upgrade and had no issues.  

Question 1:  Is the the process the same when restoring the catalog backup from a Linux Master server to a Windows master server as it would be for Linux to Linux recovery or hardware change?  I see several articles for same OS recovery but not a cross OS recovery.  Anyone have a link?

Question 2:  Anyone that is running NBU 7.6.0.1 or higher on Windows 2012 R2, curious if there would be anything you'd consider a deal-breaker.

Thanks for any feedback.

[SaurabhHeda · Accepted solution]

Hi,

For Cross platform migration you will have to contact Symantec Consulting Services.

DOCUMENTATION: How to migrate the NetBackup catalog information from one platform to another (UNIX to Windows or vice versa), rename a Master Server, cluster an existing Master Server, or merge multiple NetBackup domains.

http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH31385

Thanks,

Saurabh

[Walker_Yang1]

Hello, Windows 2012R2 as master/media is supported since 7603. Please refer to the following OS compatibility list. http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH76648 Thanks Walker

[Marianne]

My 2c...

About Question 1:

The file and database structures are completely different between Unix/Linux and Windows.
If you read through 'Parts of the NetBackup Catalog' section in NBU Admin Guide I, you will see how different the layout is. Some of the EMM configuration are files on Unix/Linux masters and Registry entries on Windows.

So, Catalog recovery between the different platforms will not work.

This is the reason why the platform migration can only be done by trained consultants as explained in  http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH31385 

About Question 2 - not sure what you would consider a 'a deal-breaker'.

The choice between Windows and Linux should be determined by the skill level at the customer site.
It makes sense to go with latest supported OS once the customer has made the choice.