NetBackup Client 6.5 for VMware

[bolasutra]

Hi guys,

I need some help here.

Recently, I have purchased a new server running on ESX Server 4.0. I have also purchased Netbackup Client 6.5.

In my infrastructure, I have an existing backup server. I am very new to Netbackup. To start things, I have a few questions to ask and hope some expert guidance can be given.

1) At the https://fileconnect.symantec.com/, which option should I download?

2) How do I install Netback into ESX Server?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Bolasutra

[Anonymous]

First of all you require a Master Server in your environment. You would download the NetBackup Server software package for the OS on the Master Server from fileconnect. So we cannot answer which option you download until you know what platform you have chosen.

You do not install NetBackup into the ESX Server as this negates the whole idea for off-hosting the backups and not impacting your ESX Server resources. You can install the NetBackup client software into VM and back it up from the master server (this will slightly impact the ESX Server). Or you need to backup the VM's from a proxy server - off-hosting (minimal impact to ESX and VM)

I suggest you do some reading or further investigation. Do some searches in the forum for VCB.

This the function of VCB snapshotting from the VMware side.


I recommend you also read the white paper for NetBackup for VMware.
http://www.symantec.com/connect/articles/veritas-netbackup-65-vmware-3x-best-practices

Instead of NetBackup there is also Backup-Exec which allows backups of VM's at the snapshot level.

[Zahid_Haseeb]

See this may help you
http://eval.symantec.com/mktginfo/enterprise/white_papers/b-whitepaper_veritas_netBackup_6.5_vmware_...

http://epie.blogbus.com/files/12198926840.pdf
 

[bolasutra]

Good articles... Have a general idea on the different methods of backup.

For method 1: Installing Netback client in ESX Server 4.0, which option should I download? Any good script to shut down VMs or create a snapshot?

For method 2: Installing Netback clients in all VMs, does it mean I need one backup license for each VM?

For method 3: VCB with Netbackup. Basically, all my VMs are stored in a server running on ESX Server. Quite a simple setup. Can I backup the [ESX Server] to a [VCB Proxy cum Netbackup Media Server]? I have no SAN. I have quite a few Media Servers running either Win Server 2008 or Solaris 10. I do have a Netbackup Master Server running on Solaris 10.

Any info or questions are greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Bolasutra

[Anonymous]

For many VMware Admins backing up the ESX host was never a consideration as it is quick to install and now with ESX 4 I believe you have profiles to deploy hosts. Less than 30 minutes to perform bare install, and your nearly up and running. So think what you are backing up. You very rarely change much on the host. Unless you have few hosts to share the load of your VM's.

Method 1. ESX is a cutdown of Red Hat Enterprise. I refer you to the NetBackup OS matrix.

Page 53

VMware ESX Version 2 -> NetBackup Client Selection for install -> VMware Host: Linux,Redhat2.4
VMware ESX Version 3 -> NetBackup Client Selection for install -> VMware Host: Linux,Redhat2.4

http://seer.entsupport.symantec.com/docs/325328.htm

Method 2 You need a netbackup client license for each VM.
For every unique host listed under "Host Properties > Clients" in the NetBackup Admin Console you require at minimal a client license - physical or virtual.

[bolasutra]

Hi, thanks.

My project did not cater for the many client license. So, I am left with direct install into the ESX4 or the VCB method.

For the first method, I am using ESX4, which option should I download?
NetBackup_6.5_Linux2.4.tar.gz 
NetBackup_6.5_LinuxRedhat2.6.tar.gz 

I cant seem to find any info on ESX4 on the Internet.

Regards,
Bolasutra