NBU 7.6 and File Restores

[Ron_Cohn]

Since migrating to NBU 7.6, when I perform a file restore, instead of the media server which did the initial backup, the master server is being used instead.

How can I change this behaviour?

[Marianne]

What type of storage are you restoring from?

As far as I know, restore from tape will still be done by the media server that did the backup.

For Advanced Disk (incl OST) where multiple media servers share a Storage Server and/or Storage Unit, any of the media servers can be used.

Another thought:
Has anyone maybe configured 'Media host override'?

[Ron_Cohn]

Marianne,

When we built our new environment from scratch, we did go from a VTL to a Data Domain.  On restores from the VTL, it was done by the media server which "owned" the tape.

However, like what we did in our previous setup, we use Storage Groups with specific media servers defined to them.  Our master is not defined in any of those groups.  Also we have segregated out responsibilities.  A master is just a master server.  We have media servers that just backup and 001 media server dedicated to tape duplication and DD -> DD replication.

With all that, I will read up on "Media Host Override" and see if this helps me.

Many thanks!

[Marianne]

I have seen something similar here a couple of weeks ago.
Will see if I can find it.

Maybe this is a bug in 7.6...

Oh, "Media Host Override" can be found in Host Properties -> Master -> General Server.

[Ron_Cohn]

Marianne,

I will play with that tomorrow.  I do have a our media servers defined in there, but not the master.  I will point our master and media servers to our restore/replicate server and let you know what happens.

Again, many thanks!

[Marianne]

There should not be anything in "Media Host Override" other than temporary E.g. a media server is down/unavailable and another media server needs to take over restores.

I found the other post - similar issue for MSDP :
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/media-servers-msdppd-disks 

Unfortunately the user has stopped responding....

[watsons · Accepted solution]

In Netbackup 7.0.x or 7.1, I have seen behavior like this, and support once told me it is by design, that Netbackup will use load balancing when choosing a media server for restore. Without assigning a specific media server, which is by default, it will use "the best" media server to carry out the restore.

In a way it makes sense, restore does not have to rely on the original backup media server, however it does create some questions from users that something may be wrong, and what if the other media server does not have credential setup properly.

Some technotes to refer to:

http://www.symantec.com/docs/HOWTO70605
http://www.symantec.com/docs/HOWTO44563

Below was an enhancement request I found related to this behavior:

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/ideas/enhancement-request-selecting-media-server-perform-restore-ost-disk-pool-when-multiple-media-s

[Ron_Cohn]

Marianne and Watsons,

Here are my observations:

01) If I do not define the media server in Media Host Override, then the restore is performed by the master Server (At this point, all servers are quite).

02) Once I include the media server in the Media Host Override (same servername on both sides of the panel), then the restore is performed by the media server which created the image.

The only other option when doing a restore is that on the bottom right hand corner of the restore screen, there is the selection of which media server you want to perform the restore.  It appears Default is the master server.

Just my $.02 worth of observations...