Using catalog backup and recovery to transfer NetBackup catalogs between master servers as part of a hardware refresh

[Roger_L]

I want to use catalog backup and recovery to transfer NetBackup catalogs between Red Hat Linux master servers as part of a hardware refresh per this tech doc: http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH77448.  What I'm trying to find out is can I find a full NBU 6.5.6 installation to download and install on the new hardware, similar to what was mentioned in this forum discussion: https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/netbackup-656-75-new-hardware#comment-8242661.  This is ultimately part of upgrading, eventually to 7.5 on the new hardware.  It would seem that this path would provide a safe method of accomplishing the upgrade (both OS & NBU version) without risking the current installation.

Thanks for any help,

Roger

[mph999]

This should be fine, steps are in the troubleshooting guide. You have to migrate to exactly the same version of NBU, that is installed in exactly the same path, on a machine with exactly the same hostname, so you would upgrade to a later version after the migration. Unix to unix, linux to unix is ok, unix/ linux to windows would require consulting. Martin

[Roger_L]

Martin,

Thanks for the response.  However, you missed the jist of my question.  In order to do this I need to, as you say, "migrate to exactly the same version of NBU".

What I'm trying to find out is:  

I don't have media for NBU 6.5.6 installation, this installation was done years before I joined my present company.  I need to download software to install on the migration server.  So I'm looking for either a full install directly to NBU 6.5.6 or the sequence of installs to accomplish the same.

Thanks,

Roger

[mph999]

Opps, sorry. Simply, you perform the upgrade before the migration. Upgrade the 'old' system to 7.x.x, install this version on the new system, and then migrate the catalog. 6.x is no longer available for download, as you will be aware. As a safety measure, before starting this, stop NBU completely + PBX and tar up all of /usr/openv. The downloads are available from http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH65429 To download a base version (eg. 7.5) you need the serial number for you license key. If you do not have this you will need to contact customer care who will be able to retrieve it, NBU technical support do not have access to license information. Hope this helps, Martin

[mph999 · Accepted solution]

The 7.5 upgrade guide: http://www.symantec.com/business/support/resources/sites/BUSINESS/content/live/DOCUMENTATION/5000/DOC5198/en_US/NetBackup_75_Upgrade_Guide.pdf 

The 7.5 upgrade portal http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH74584 7.5 upgrade imports the catalog header files into the NBDB, all explained in the links given. 

I very strongly recommend you run : bpdbm -consistency 2 and resolve any issues before doing any upgrade, tech support will help with this if required. 

Despite popular belief, nbcc checks are not as vital for an upgrade as people think, simply, any inconsistencies will simply migrate to the new version. 

However, an upgrade is a time you may want to run this also. (nbcc between 5.1 > 6.x upgrade WAS vital, as between these versions, catalog inconsistencies could cause the upgrade to fail) 

Both of these tasks can be quite time consuming, depending on catalog size and what is wrong (if anything), so don't leave t to the day before you plan the work, make it a couple of weeks before (hopefully it won't take that long ... ) 

Martin

[Roger_L]

Martin,

I had thought about doing it that way.  However 2 different Symantec Professional Services proposed doing it this way with the benefits of 1) keeping the original server safe, and 2) no downtime since the original server won't be affected.  If they can do it this way I had hoped to as well.  Also Marianne van den Berg (Trusted Advisor Partner Accredited Certified) also indicated this was possible in this:  https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/netbackup-656-75-new-hardware#comment-8242611

Thanks,

Roger

[mph999]

Hi Roger,

Certainly method 1 is best, as you don't touch the old system, however, as I mentioned, 6.5.6 is just not available for download (it has been removed). I'll drop a note to Chris Zimmerman, he may have some ideas.

M

[Roger_L]

Martin,

Another thought that might help.  I don't know if this would work but it's worth a try asking:

My target server has newer release of RHEL, version 6.0, and someone already has installed NBU 7.1, apparently from a download.  If the NBU 7.1 was not there would it be possible to just copy all binaries and data to the new machine to accomplish getting it to 6.5.6, and then proceed with the upgrade from there?

Thanks,

Roger

[mph999]

Hi Roger,

Nope, definately not - sorry.

This has been attempted, previously - it's 100% unsupported.  

Chris isn't online at the moment, he might be out today (no idea, he's in America / I'm in UK) - I'll check later and see if appears on IM, of not I'll send him a mail.

Martin

[Roger_L]

Martin,

So at present I'm left with only one option, upgrade first to 7.5 on the present server, and if I should have any problems it won't be supported since it's currently 6.5.6.  Accurate statement?

Thanks,

Roger

[mph999]

Email sent to Chris ...

[mph999]

Sort of yes.

As you are upgrading, we would support you if there were issues.

I've dropped a mail to chris to see if we can get a copy of 6.5.x

M

[Marianne]

Roger, have you tried to get hold of your local SE or Symantec reseller? 

Most of us who have been around for some time have 6.5 cd/dvd's in a 'bottom drawer'.

6.5.6 can be downloaded from here: http://support.veritas.com/docs/351292

[mph999]

Super, thanks Mariane, that's the .6 bit sorted, just the 6.5 to go ...

M