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Abstract
Data Domains support for Symantec NetBackup OpenStorage enables the use of disk as disk, eliminating the need to emulate tape drives, tape cartridges, and robots. The Data Domain OpenStorage solution advances the ability to use disk as disk, store more data on disk with inline deduplication, and simplifies the creation of backup copies with optimized duplication. This technical primer introduces OpenStorage and presents example use cases that address a variety of data protection challenges.
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1 OpenStorage
Symantec NetBackup OpenStorage is an initiative designed to leverage intelligent disk storage solutions without the need for virtual tape emulation software. The initiative includes an API that enables NetBackup to take advantage of disk storage solutions with advanced capabilities such as data deduplication and replication. Data Domain OpenStorage software provides API based integration between Data Domain deduplication storage and NetBackup. The API gives NetBackup visibility into the properties and capabilities of the Data Domain storage system, control of the backup images stored in the system and network-efficient replication to remote Data Domain systems. Supported with NetBackup 6.5 and higher, OpenStorage enabled Data Domain systems and the Symantec NetBackup OpenStorage Option provide key enhancements for disk based data protection strategies: 4 NetBackup optimized duplication - Backup image duplication based on Data Domain deduplication and network-efficient replication that is controlled, monitored, and cataloged by NetBackup. 4 Integrated NetBackup reporting of Data Domain replication job status. 4 Recovery of replicated backup images in their entirety or at a granular level via the NetBackup user interface. 4 Sharing of Data Domain OpenStorage disk storage units among heterogeneous NetBackup media servers. 4 NetBackup media server load balancing, eliminating the need to manually divide client backups across NetBackup media servers utilizing Data Domain OpenStorage disk storage units. 4 Tape consolidation Backup images from remote locations and branch offices can be replicated to a centralized location where they can be duplicated to tape under the control of NetBackup.
1.2 Reporting
Optimized duplication jobs appear in the NetBackup activity monitor and are tracked like any other NetBackup job. Job details can be viewed to confirm that optimized duplication is performing as expected.
Recovering data using the NetBackup Backup, Archive, and Restore GUI makes full or granular restores simple and easy. Data recovery with OpenStorage optimized duplication is faster and more intuitive when compared to replication solutions that are not integrated with NetBackup. Backup image duplication performed externally to NetBackup results in a copy that is not known to the NetBackup catalog. These backup copies cannot be used to fulfill restore requests until NetBackup catalog entries have been created for them, potentially increasing the time to recovery.
DATA DOMAIN OPENSTORAGE PRIMER 5
Sharing disk backup media among a collection of NetBackup media servers eliminates the need to configure and manage multiple smaller disk storage units and enables the practical use of large disk pools. Large shared disk pools facilitate a favorable increase in storage utilization. Small disk pools that cannot be shared may increase the upfront provisioning of storage without the ability to achieve high utilization rates.
Site B
Tape Library
A centralized or consolidated approach to managing the creation of backup tapes is beneficial for a number of reasons. 4 Instead of relying on tape media to be handled properly at multiple remote locations, tape operations can be appropriately managed using a reliable and predictable process. 4 Consolidated tape operations promote high utilization of tape hardware resources, potentially reducing costs when compared to maintaining under-utilized tape hardware in a distributed multi-site environment. 4 Tape media being sent off-site may need to be secured with encryption software or hardware, adding to the cost of the solution.
Remote Site
Remote Site
2 Sample Deployments
Symantec NetBackup OpenStorage option and OpenStorage enabled Data Domain deduplication storage systems eliminate many of the challenges associated with the creation and management of duplicate backup images, transporting backup copies to an alternate site, and the centralized creation of tape based copies for longer term retention.
Data protection operations are improved with the Data Domain remote office / branch office solution for a number of tangible reasons. The cost and challenges of managing tape operations at remote locations are eliminated. Optimized duplication facilitates faster creation of duplicate backup copies stored at the primary data center when compared to the outdated methodology employed with a tape duplication and physical transportation solution. Backups are duplicated from remote locations to the primary data center under the control of NetBackup. Data recovery can be fulfilled using a remote copy of the backup image, or in the event of a disaster, recovered from a duplicate copy residing at the primary data center.
Optimized Duplication
Backups written to OpenStorage Data Domain disk storage units are duplicated under the control of NetBackup Storage Lifecycle Policies or NetBackup Vault option policies to destination Data Domain OpenStorage disk storage units. Optimized duplication technology facilitates faster creation of duplicate backup copies stored at the secondary data center when compared to outdated legacy solutions.
3 OpenStorage Technology
OpenStorage is a Symantec initiative that targets the integration of NetBackup and intelligent disk appliances such as Data Domain deduplication storage systems. Much terminology exists that describe various components of the technology: 4 The term OpenStorage also refers to the API that enables communication between NetBackup and intelligent disk appliances. 4 The acronym OST may be referenced, it equates to OpenStorage. 4 OpenStorage is also a disk storage unit type within the context of NetBackup. 4 The term plug-in refers to vendor specific code that acts as an interface between the NetBackup OpenStorage API and that vendors intelligent disk storage system.
The Symantec paper titled, Implementing Highly Available Data Protection with Veritas NetBackup (http://eval.symantec.com/ mktginfo/enterprise/white_papers/b-whitepaper_implementing_ highly_available_dr_with_veritas_netbackup_01_08_13599373. pdf) explores many strategies for disaster recovery. Having the most recent backup copies available in the event of a disaster improves the recovery point objective. Having a copy of the most recent backup at the disaster recovery site without the need to physically transport it improves the recovery time objective. The Symantec OpenStorage solution combined with appropriately deployed Data Domain storage systems represents the optimal foundation for a large variety of NetBackup disaster recovery solutions.
Media Server
Storage System
Software Plug-ins
NetBackup 6.5 Processes OpenStorage API Basic Disk Plug-in AdvancedDisk Plug-in SharedDisk Plug-in OpenStorage Plug-in
Notes: a) The OpenStorage API is installed by default when NetBackup is installed. b) The Data Domain system is enabled as an OpenStorage server. c) The Data Domain OST Plug-in needs to be installed on all NetBackup media servers that use Data Domain systems as OpenStorage disk storage units. d) The Data Domain system is configured within NetBackup as a storage server. e) See section 5 for license requirements
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Data Domain recommends the use of the failover algorithm when grouping Data Domain OpenStorage disk storage units. This method seeks to utilize the same Data Domain storage system for each backup job that uses the storage unit group. This technique takes full advantage of the deduplication capabilities of Data Domain storage by sending the same backups to the same Data Domain storage system.
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The example Storage Lifecycle Policy shown prescribes an initial backup to the OpenStorage Data Domain disk storage unit named dd120a. The retention period has been set to a fixed value of 2 weeks. The second storage destination is dd120b, which will be retained for a fixed value of 6 months.
5 Licensing
4 NetBackup requires the OpenStorage Disk Option license 4 Data Domain storage systems require an OpenStorage license 4 Optimized duplication requires a Data Domain replication license
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6 Additional Documentation
NetBackup Hardware Compatibility List
Veritas NetBackup Enterprise Server and Server 6.5 Hardware Compatibility List
ftp://exftpp .symantec .com/pub/support/products/NetBackup_Enterprise_Server/284599 .pdf
Veritas NetBackup Administrators Guide, Volume I for UNIX and Linux Release 6.5
ftp://exftpp .symantec .com/pub/support/products/NetBackup_Enterprise_Server/290201 .pdf
Information About Using the NetBackup Vault Option to Create Duplicate Backup Copies:
Veritas NetBackup Vault Administrators Guide UNIX, Windows, and Linux Release 6.5
ftp://exftpp .symantec .com/pub/support/products/NetBackup_Enterprise_Server/290233 .pdf
Data Domain OpenStorage (OST) User Guide (requires support site login credentials)
https://support .datadomain .com
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Copyright 2008 Data Domain, Inc. All rights reserved. Data Domain, Inc. believes information in this publication is accurate as of its publication date. This publication could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. The information is subject to change without notice. Changes are periodically added to the information herein; these changes will be incorporated in new additions of the publication. Data Domain, Inc. may make improvements and/or changes in the product(s) and/or the program(s) described in this publication at any time. Reproduction of this publication without prior written permission is forbidden. The information in this publication is provided as is. Data Domain, Inc. makes no representations or warranties of any kind, with respect to the information in this publication, and specifically disclaims implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Data Domain and Global Compression are trademarks of Data Domain, Inc. All other brands, products, service names, trademarks, or registered service marks are used to identify the products or services of their respective owners. WP-OST-0708
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