09-29-2010 12:37 AM
Hi All,
I am using NBU 7.0.1 to backup ESX4.0.I am able to backup my Windows 2003 Server Std guest successfully for the ALL_LOCAL_DISKS directive.
The policy validation for file level backups is failing.I've used both the "Flashbackup_windows" with //./E: and "MS-Windows" with E:/ .
In both the cases the policy validation fails quoting
"Snapshot could not be created with VMware method"
I've tried all the recommendations provided by some of the forums on the same issue like:
1)updating the hosts file.
2)using VSS in Client attributes.
3)Installing VCB.
4)Using incrementals based on timestamps.
None of this has helped.The issue is not related to DNS since I am able to browse my Guest from my VMware Backup Host without any issue.
Please help.
09-29-2010 01:57 AM
Hi,
Why are you using VCB? Vstorage integration works great in version 7 and vsphere 4
R
09-29-2010 02:20 AM
The NBU Vmware guide 7.0 does state that to perform this specific type of backup you need to use VCB. So while its around its possible...
I thought this a bit strange but there is Appendix B which describes what sethu has setup.
From the 7.0 guide
The file-level backup capability described in this appendix requires VMware
VCB. VCB has been replaced by VMware vStorage APIs for Data Protection. Note
that VMware intends to phase out support for VCB.
....
Use the following procedure to make file-based backups of Windows drives, folders,
or files. Requires VCB software on the VMware backup host.
Summary points:
Policy Type = MS-Windows
Backup selection = E:\
Select Perform snapshot backups
Note: try using a mount point on a different drive letter other than C:\mnt
Note: install the latest release of VCB Framework 1.5 U2
http://downloads.vmware.com/d/info/datacenter_downloads/vmware_infrastructure_3/3_5
There was a gotcha in the last 12 months about exclude lists for the VMware backup host being applied to the mapped drive letters of a mounted virtual machine volume...might be worth looking into. But this would be after the backup is underway.
I'm not sure what validation is going on underneath...to give you error....
Create some logging directories on the vmware backup host
install_path\NetBackup\logs\bpVMutil {contains messages on Policy configuration and on restore}
install_path\NetBackup\logs\nbproxy {{contains messages on Policy configuration}
09-29-2010 03:15 AM
Hi Stuart,
I'd still like to know why he is using this specific setup dont you think?
R
09-29-2010 03:48 AM
Riaan,
Installation of VCB is required acc. to the NBU7+ VMware documentation.
Stuart,
I only have C:\ drive on the system.Its my only partition.Will this be a major problem?
Please reply.
Regards.
09-29-2010 05:07 AM
Hi Sethu,
I still dont understand, sorry, why you're not just using vstorage. What is forcing you to use VCB?
For VMGuest running on vsphere 4 with NBU 7+ you simply add the vcenter/esx hosts to netbackup master properties, provide the credentials, create a flashbackup for windows policy with ALL_LOCAL_DRIVES and off you go.
You can zone the media server into the same zone as the disk containing the VMDK's, or if you dont want to, it pulls it across the LAN.
R
09-29-2010 05:49 AM
Riaan.
VCB is required for file-level(individual drives,folders,files) backups of the Virtual machines acc. to the NBU documentation.Yes NBU 7 uses vStorage API's but still installing VCB is of no harm.
Stuart,
I only have C:\ drive on the system.Its my only partition.Will this be a major problem?
Please reply.
Regards.
09-29-2010 10:08 AM
actually Sethu, its not well documented but you do not need to use VCB to get file-level full and incremental backups of Windows VMs on ESX 4.0.
Change your snapshot settings to "Mapped Full VM Backup" and run your incremental schedule like normal, and you will be using the vstorage API to get a file-level incremental backup of the VM done without leveraging VCB. I had to call support to confirm this.
NOTE: You cannot select the checkbox for Block Level Incremental Backups (BLIB) on the Attributes tab unless the VM is a VMX7 virtual machine. If the VM is still VMX4, leave the checkbox unchecked.
09-29-2010 11:29 PM
I can successfully backup the entire VM using ALL_LOCAL_DISKS directive.Now I wish to backup individual drives,files etc.From the NBU GUI on the backup-host I am able to browse the VM system for files and folders.
Unless I give "File Level snapshot using VCB" in the VMware method selecting individual drives and files is not possible in the Backup Selections tab.ALL_LOCAL_DISKS is the only option then.
I had installed VCB just to be on the safe side.
How can I go about it now?The policy validation is still failing
09-29-2010 11:53 PM
Hi Sethu,
You have to use ALL_LOCAL_DRIVES. This is fine in your situation. It'll backup C, and you can restore individual files (Full Mapped VM).
R
09-30-2010 06:19 AM
My suggestion abouot using a different mount point was only that. Something else to try. I doubt it will cause the policy validation to fail.
However, I would recommend that you should have a separate disk for the staging of the vmdk files. I believe this was a best practice under the NBU 6.5 + VCB setup.
Now of course VCB is going away and no need for staging as the move is to use vstorage api.
But I am in agreement with the other posts that you should use vstorage api. Or look to an alternate solution.
09-30-2010 11:00 PM
I wish to backup indiavidual files and drives...not all the drives...
Is it possible to back up individual drives and files using the above Off-host back-up set-up..??
09-30-2010 11:40 PM
Cut and paste from NetBackup 7.0 Vmware Admin Guide
MS-Windows policy
The ALL_LOCAL_DRIVES directive backs up all data files on the virtual machines that are selected on the Clients tab. This directive does not back up the following:
install_path\NetBackup\logs\bpVMutil {contains messages on Policy configuration and on restore}
install_path\NetBackup\logs\nbproxy {{contains messages on Policy configuration}
09-30-2010 11:50 PM
Actually I am backing up my E: drive and also some individual files and folders from the same drive.I tried all the different permutations and combinations in the VMware Method option.The Policy validation fails everytime.
And regarding the C: drive .I am not backing any of the C: drives:Its just my mount location is placed there. C:\mnt
Will this be a issue?
10-01-2010 01:20 AM
Include only E Drive and try backup; let us know outcome
10-01-2010 02:21 AM
Tried many,many times...policy validation fails
Tried both the policies:falshbackup-Windows and MS-Windows.same outcome
10-04-2010 12:57 AM
Check out logs
install_path\NetBackup\logs\bpVMutil {contains messages on Policy configuration and on restore}
install_path\NetBackup\logs\nbproxy {{contains messages on Policy configuration}
10-04-2010 03:19 AM
Suggest on your backup proxy/backup host create the install_path\NetBackup\logs\bpfis log directory.
This logs issues when validating snapshot client configuration for policies.
I tested this and found what my problem was with a snapshot style policy.
If not much is written in here then increase the debug levels to 5 for General and Verbose setting of the backup host through it's BAR GUI and NetBackup Client Properties > Troubleshooting
10-05-2010 12:22 AM
@Karthikeyan
install_path\NetBackup\logs\bpVMutil
install_path\NetBackup\logs\nbproxy
Both are absent on my system.EXE files of the same name are present though.
@Stuart:Thanks.Ill try ur recocmendation.
10-18-2010 08:08 AM
If you wish to backup only selected drive letters, you may be better served installing a NBU client on the VM itself and backing up the data you require that way.