NetBackup 6.5.6 and W2K8R2 Clients

[SYMAJB]

I have an NBU 6.5.6 master server and a number of 6.5.6 media servers, all hosted on W2K3 operating systems.

I am introducing a number of W2K8R2 clients to the evironment (currently all W2K3) and am concerned about limitations.

My understanding is that I am OK to back up these W2K8R2 servers as clients, as long as no DB agents are required (SQL/Exchange etc.).  Is this correct, and will it be OK with open file backup (Using volume shadow copy / VSS) ?

Anything else to watch out for ?

AJ.

[Marianne · Accepted solution]

You can verify what is available and what not in the Compatibility Guides. Master Compatibility list: http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH59978

NetBackup 6.x Operating System (CL) for Client,Server,NOM,NDMP,BMR,SAN Client,MSEO:   http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH70729

NetBackup 6.x Application/Database Agent (CL):    http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH43684

You can see in Database Agent guide that various databases/applications are supported, e.g:

SQL Server 2008 R2 support on Windows Server 2003 SP2+ and Windows Server 2008 R2

Microsoft SharePoint 2010 support on Windows Server 2008 R2 & Windows Server 2008 SP2

Oracle 11g R2 (with EEBs) support on Windows 2003 R2 & 2008 R2

SQL 2008 SP1 on Windows 2008 R2

(There's more - see guide for all supported options.)

[SYMAJB]

Many thanks for that.

I have one concern which I am unsure of after looking at the guides, and that is as follows:

Is there any restriction relating to the Master & Media servers being at W2K3 32-bit and the client being at W2K8R2 64-bit ?  I have previously had the issue whereby I had W2K3 32-bit Master/Media and a W2K8 64-bit client, and I was using the HP-VSS drivers for an EVA snapshot.  The drivers from HP needed the Master / Media server to be at 64-bit to match the client.  I know this was a HP issue, but am raising it incase there is an issue with NBU of the same nature relating to using VSS for open file backups.

AJ.

[Marianne]

The only limitation that I know of is with GRT backups - not supported on 32-bit media servers.

Extract from platform compatibily guide:

Jobs that use Granular Recovery Technology for Active Directory, Exchange, and SharePoint are not supported on this Media Server platform.

You might want to consider moving towards 64-bit media servers to ensure ongoing compatibility.