limit on size of Virtual machine while backup using VADP.

[NBU35]

Hi 

Is there any limit on the size of virtual machine to be backed up, when we are using VADP (NBU 7.6.0.3)

I believe there is limit of 1 TB if we are using hotadd transport mode .. but if we are using SAN or NBD transport mode, does this limit still exist?

[sdo]

I would expect any limitations to be a VMware VADP limitation, which is better expressed as a VMware VDDK limitation... because NetBackup leverages the VMware VDDK to be able to perform VADP backups.

So, what does the VMware VDDK documentation state regarding limits?

And does the VMware 'limits' documentation contain any commentary surrounding VADP, and/or VDDK?

.

Before carefully checking the VMware VADP and/or VMware VDDK and/or VMware limits documentation, you need to identify which version of the VDDK is being used by your version of NetBackup.

[sdo]

This should help you determine your VDDK version:

http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH145168

...which does not pre-state which VDDK version is used by your NetBackup version of v7.6.0.3...

...so, you'll have to follow the steps in the TN.

When done, would you be able to confirm back with the version of VDDK identified for NetBackup v7.6.0.3?

...so that I/we can populate this table:

NetBackup	VDDK
v7.0	1.1.1
v7.0.1	1.1.1
v7.1	1.2
v7.1.0.1	1.2
v7.1.0.2	1.2
v7.1.0.3	5.0
v7.1.0.4	5.0
v.7.5	5.0
v7.5.0.1	5.0
v7.5.0.3	5.0
v7.5.0.4	5.0
v7.5.0.5	5.0 U1
v7.5.0.6	5.0 U1
v7.5.0.6 + EEB3263410	5.1.1
v7.5.0.7	5.1.1
v7.6.0.1	5.1.1
v7.6.0.1 + EEB3318872	5.5
v7.6.0.2	5.5
v7.6.0.3
v7.6.0.4
v7.6.1
v7.6.1.1

.

Links to VDDK documentation:

FYI - Main VDDK Documentation Page:

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/index.html

...which can be used to locate the release notes for individual VDDK versions...

VDDK 1.0.1 Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/VDDK-1.0-Relnotes.html

VDDK 1.1 Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/VDDK-1.1-Relnotes.html

VDDK 1.1.1 Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/VDDK-1.1.1-Relnotes.html

VDDK 1.2 Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/VDDK-1.2-Relnotes.html

VDDK 1.2.1 Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/VDDK-1.2.1-Relnotes.html

VDDK 1.2.2 Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/VDDK-1.2.2-Relnotes.html

VDDK 5.0 Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/VDDK-500-ReleaseNotes.html

VDDK 5.0 U1 (used in vSphere 5.0 U1) Release Notes

http://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/VDDK-501-ReleaseNotes.html

VDDK 5.0 U2 Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/vddk-502-releasenotes.html

VDDK 5.0 U3 Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/vddk-503-releasenotes.html

VDDK 5.0.4 Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/vddk-504-releasenotes.html

VDDK 5.1 Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/VDDK-510-ReleaseNotes.html

VDDK 5.1.1 (used in vSphere 5.1 U1) Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/vddk-511-releasenotes.html

VDDK 5.1.2 (used in vSphere 5.1 U2) Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/vddk-512-releasenotes.html

VDDK 5.1.3 Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/vddk-513-releasenotes.html

VDDK 5.1.4 (used in vSphere 5.1 U3) Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/vddk-514-releasenotes.html

VDDK 5.5 Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/vddk-550-releasenotes.html

VDDK 5.5.1 (used in vSphere 5.5 U1) Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/vddk-551-releasenotes.html

VDDK 5.5.2 Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/vddk-552-releasenotes.html

VDDK 5.5.3 (used in vSphere 5.5 U2) Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/vddk-553-releasenotes.html

VDDK 5.5.4 Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/vddk-554-releasenotes.html

VDDK 6.0 Release Notes

https://www.vmware.com/support/developer/vddk/vddk-600-releasenotes.html

[sdo]

ChAmp35 - apologies for not actually being able to answer your question.  All I'm able to do right now... is to help you to help yourself to find out the answer to your question.

Please do feedback when you find out - if, in the meantime, no one else is able to categorically state the answer.

[sdo]

Hi ChAmp35,

1) Did you manage to identify any size limit(s)?

2) Are there multiple diffrent size limits based upon different scenarios and/or transport methods?

3) Did you manage to identify the VDDK version in your NetBackup v7.6.0.3?

Thanks.

[sdo]

See page 25 of the VMware 5.5 Virtual Disk Programming guide:

https://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-55/topic/com.vmware.ICbase/PDF/vddk55_programming.pdf

...which lists the maximum sizes for VMFS3 - but these also depend upon the block size used when the VMFS3 datastore was originally formatted with VMFS3 structures.  There are no additional specific maximums stated for datastores formatted as VMFS5.

.

I couldn't find anything specific stating maximums of VMDK size on either a transnport basis, or re VADP specifically.  So I guess we'll have to assume that if VMware supports a certain disk size, then VADP (VDDK) should be able to backup said storage - but of course as long as all other compatibility requirements are met.

[Marianne]

If memory serves me right, I have seen a TN regarding issues with VM size over 2 TB. Will see if I can find it.

[Marianne · Accepted solution]

2TB limitation explained in this TN: http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH228584 

Solved in NetBackup 7.6.1.1.

[NBU35]

Hi Sdo & Marianne, 

My bad, I missed this thread.

I truely apriciate the your help.

As per TN 228584: backup of vm having a file larget than 2TB is not possible. (I am assuming it is true for all transport modes.)

[Marianne]

You can upgrade to 7.6.1.1 or 7.6.1.2 to overcome this limitation.