How to configure XenServer for backup

[emret]

Hi All,

Are there anyone know the how to configure XenServer backup ?

I got citrix xenserver document and l make all settings from the xenserver but when l try to configure backup policy l get an error like this ;

“ cannot communicate with client snapshot validation is not possible “ .

[CRZ]

You didn't specify any versions of ANYTHING, nor on which O/S your VMs are.  So here's some documentation.  :)

DOCUMENTATION: Support for NetBackup 7.x in virtual environments (updated October 28, 2011).

 http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH127089

Does NetBackup support Citrix XenServers?

 http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH74309
  (SPOILER ALERT: Yes)

And this document over at Citrix:

XenServer - Virtual Machine Backup

 http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX122191

Good luck!

(If you have more specific information - ie versions, architecture, what type of policies you're attempting to set up - please let us know and maybe we'll be able to provide more specific troubleshooting info for you)

[AAlmroth]

Well first, if the master server cannot communicate with the client, as it seems here, you would need to verify that you have indeed installed the NBU client in the guest that you are trying to configure the policy for, and perhaps even the alternate client as well.

Second, verify connectivity between the master/media servers and the client, can you ping from the NBU servers and client? You can also just add the client to a "normal" policy, and then from the Admin console in Host properties see whether you can connect.

Another thing, even though the error message that usally appears is not the same, do you have the Enterprise Client license installed on the master server?

/A

[Nicolai]

Did you try to configure vmware backup for Xen - That will not work. VMware backup uses the Vsphere framework for backup and recovery. That framework does not exist in Xen.

You need to deploy agents whitin the guest. 

Quote from the Technote that CRZ linked to:

At this time, NetBackup clients and agents are supported within the individual VMs. You may install the NBU client on the individual VM as if it were a physical system, as long as the operating system is currently supported.

[emret]

this alternate client as if backup host in the host properties ? 

we only installed agent which client we use alternate client. can we need to install nbu agent all clients ?

master server version 7.1.0.2

[emret]

l made an settings its in 13. page. and l configure the policy but again l get same error.

can we take this xenserver backup like a normal file backup ? 

but we want to take this xenserver backup as if vm

[AAlmroth]

You will need to install the NBU client on the source client as it needs to make the local VSS snapshot on the disks that you wish to backup.

NBU will then communicate the snapshot info to the off-host client, so in order to mount the snapshot, you would need a NBU client in the offhost client. The off-host client must also be able to see the disks of course.

/A

[emret]

how can we check the off host client is able to see the disks of source ?

we made this settings from the which client is the alternate client 

xe vm-param-set other-config:snapmanager=true uuid=<uuid of VM from previous step>

[AAlmroth]

As already mentioned, you can always run "normal" NetBackup backups/restores within the guest if the OS is supported by NBU.

Have you tried to connect to the NBU client from the master server? The connectivity must work to both source and off-host client.

Also, the XenServer that has the off-host client must be able to see the store where the guest files are, else the off-host client cannot possibly mount the snapshot file. Also, are the clients in the same resource pool in Xen?

If you have connectivity, then enable logging on the source and off-host for snapshot process. Create following directories In <install path>\Veritas\NetBackup\logs;

bpfis

bpcd

Set logging level to 5 for the clients. Re-run policy creation.

If the master/media servers at all can connect to the clients, you should have a file in the bpcd directory. If not, then there is a problem between the master/media server and the clients. Reasons for this may be network routing, firewalls, NBU services not running, etc.

If it indeed connects, you should have something in bpfis, if it at all tried to verify snapshots.

/A

[emret]

its successfully completed validation and successfully completed backup. but when the alternate host different the selected host l get validation error. one more question, can we restore this backup like a .vmdk or only we can restore the file level ?

[emret]

its successfully completed validation and successfully completed backup. but when the alternate host different the selected host l get validation error. one more question, can we restore this backup like a .vmdk or only we can restore the file level ?

[emret]

its successfully completed validation and successfully completed backup. but when the alternate host different the selected host l get validation error. one more question, can we restore this backup like a .vmdk or only we can restore the file level ?

[AAlmroth]

The backup is done inside the guest so it will only be on file level.

If you use the same host as off-host, there is little need to configure as snapshot backup, as you are not offloading the load from the guest in any way.

The off-host approach is good if you have another guest on a low-load or dedicated Xen server, which can do the data move. This will offload the I/O from your production Xen servers.

If you get validation error on the off-host client, then you would need to look in the logs on that client to see why. Most likely it is not being presented the snapshot disk.

Have you activated the VSS provider in Xen Tools? If it is not activated it won't work. Also, in NBU you can specify whether to use system provider, software provider or hardware provider. With vssadmin list providers you can see what type of VSS provider the Xen tools is. Then in the NBU policy in snapshot settings you can force to use software or hardware.

The VSS UUID is then handed to NBU, which will try to locate the UUID on the off-host client. If it can not find it amongst the LUNs presented, then I guess the validation fails.

/A