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Symantec NetBackup Shared Storage Guide

UNIX, Windows, Linux

Release 7.1

21159731

Symantec NetBackup Shared Storage Guide


The software described in this book is furnished under a license agreement and may be used only in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Documentation version: PN: 21159731

Legal Notice
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Symantec Corporation 350 Ellis Street Mountain View, CA 94043 http://www.symantec.com Printed in the United States of America. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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Symantec Technical Support maintains support centers globally. Technical Supports primary role is to respond to specific queries about product features and functionality. The Technical Support group also creates content for our online Knowledge Base. The Technical Support group works collaboratively with the other functional areas within Symantec to answer your questions in a timely fashion. For example, the Technical Support group works with Product Engineering and Symantec Security Response to provide alerting services and virus definition updates. Symantecs support offerings include the following:

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For information about Symantecs support offerings, you can visit our Web site at the following URL: www.symantec.com/business/support/ All support services will be delivered in accordance with your support agreement and the then-current enterprise technical support policy.

Contacting Technical Support


Customers with a current support agreement may access Technical Support information at the following URL: www.symantec.com/business/support/ Before contacting Technical Support, make sure you have satisfied the system requirements that are listed in your product documentation. Also, you should be at the computer on which the problem occurred, in case it is necessary to replicate the problem. When you contact Technical Support, please have the following information available:

Product release level

Hardware information Available memory, disk space, and NIC information Operating system Version and patch level Network topology Router, gateway, and IP address information Problem description:

Error messages and log files Troubleshooting that was performed before contacting Symantec Recent software configuration changes and network changes

Licensing and registration


If your Symantec product requires registration or a license key, access our technical support Web page at the following URL: www.symantec.com/business/support/

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Contents

Technical Support ............................................................................................... 4 Chapter 1 Introducing shared storage ............................................... 13


About this guide .......................................................................... 13 About NetBackup SAN Client and Fibre Transport .............................. 14

Section 1
Chapter 2 Chapter 3

AdvancedDisk option ................................................ 15


Introducing AdvancedDisk ................................................ 17
About the AdvancedDisk option ...................................................... 17

Licensing AdvancedDisk .................................................... 19


About the AdvancedDisk license key ................................................ 19 Licensing AdvancedDisk ................................................................ 20

Chapter 4

Configuring AdvancedDisk ................................................ 21


Configuring the AdvancedDisk option .............................................. About AdvancedDisk file system requirements .................................. About AdvancedDisk storage servers ............................................... About AdvancedDisk data movers ................................................... About AdvancedDisk shared storage access ...................................... About AdvancedDisk preferred or required read servers ...................... Configuring an AdvancedDisk storage server .................................... AdvancedDisk storage server options ........................................ About AdvancedDisk disk pools ...................................................... Configuring an AdvancedDisk disk pool ........................................... AdvancedDisk disk pool properties ............................................ Configuring an AdvancedDisk storage unit ....................................... AdvancedDisk storage unit properties ........................................ About AdvancedDisk storage unit recommendations .................... 21 22 23 23 24 24 26 27 29 29 30 32 33 35

Contents

Chapter 5

Managing AdvancedDisk

................................................... 37 37 37 38 38 39 40 40 40 41 41 42 43 43 44 44 45 45 46 46 47 48

Managing AdvancedDisk storage servers .......................................... Deleting an AdvancedDisk storage server ................................... Determining AdvancedDisk storage server state .......................... Removing AdvancedDisk storage server attributes ....................... Removing an AdvancedDisk storage server from disk pool access ............................................................................ Viewing AdvancedDisk storage servers ...................................... Viewing AdvancedDisk storage server attributes .......................... Managing AdvancedDisk disk pools ................................................. Adding volumes to an AdvancedDisk disk pool ............................ Changing AdvancedDisk disk pool properties .............................. Changing AdvancedDisk disk pool state ..................................... Changing AdvancedDisk disk volume state ................................. Deleting an AdvancedDisk disk pool .......................................... Determining AdvancedDisk disk pool state ................................. Determining AdvancedDisk disk volume state ............................. Merging AdvancedDisk disk pools ............................................. Removing a volume from an AdvancedDisk disk pool .................... Viewing AdvancedDisk disk pools ............................................. Monitoring AdvancedDisk storage capacity and usage ........................ Monitoring NetBackup disk activity ................................................. Viewing disk reports .....................................................................

Chapter 6

Toubleshooting AdvancedDisk ......................................... 51


AdvancedDisk troubleshooting ....................................................... 51 Resolving an incorrect storage type problem ..................................... 52

Section 2
Chapter 7

OpenStorage option ................................................... 55


Introducing OpenStorage .................................................. 57
About the NetBackup OpenStorage option ........................................ 57 About control of the storage ........................................................... 58

Chapter 8

Planning your deployment ................................................ 59


Planning your OpenStorage deployment .......................................... About OpenStorage requirements and limitations .............................. About OpenStorage storage servers ................................................. About OpenStorage server credentials ............................................. About OpenStorage data movers ..................................................... 59 60 61 61 62

Contents

About the OpenStorage plug-in ....................................................... About OpenStorage disk pools ........................................................ About spanning volumes on OpenStorage disk pools ..................... About OpenStorage optimized duplication methods ........................... About optimized duplication within the same domain ................... About duplicating images to a remote NetBackup master server ............................................................................ About OpenStorage optimized synthetic backups ............................... About OpenStorage direct to tape .................................................... About NDMP requirements for OpenStorage direct to tape ............ About media server requirements for OpenStorage direct to tape ............................................................................... About media server recommendations for OpenStorage direct to tape ........................................................................... About OpenStorage direct to tape limitations .............................. About the OpenStorage direct to tape process .............................. About Nirvanix cloud storage ......................................................... About the Nirvanix storage pool ............................................... About Nirvanix child accounts .................................................. About backup image representation in the Nirvanix cloud ............. About data encryption for cloud storage ..................................... About Nirvanix storage requirements and limitations ...................

62 63 63 64 64 65 66 67 68 70 71 71 71 72 73 73 74 74 75

Chapter 9

Provisioning the storage .................................................... 77


About provisioning the disk storage appliance ................................... 77 About installing the disk appliance plug-in ....................................... 78 About provisioning the Nirvanix storage space .................................. 78

Chapter 10

Licensing OpenStorage ...................................................... 79


About the OpenStorage license key .................................................. 79 Licensing OpenStorage ................................................................. 80

Chapter 11

Configuring OpenStorage .................................................. 81


Configuring OpenStorage disk appliance storage ............................... Configuring OpenStorage Nirvanix cloud storage ............................... Creating NetBackup log file directories ............................................ Configuring an OpenStorage storage server ...................................... Setting the Nirvanix storage server properties .................................. Nirvanix storage server properties ............................................ Configuring Nirvanix data mover preferences ................................... Configuring an OpenStorage disk pool ............................................. 81 83 84 85 85 86 89 89

10

Contents

OpenStorage disk pool properties .............................................. 90 Configuring an OpenStorage storage unit ......................................... 91 OpenStorage storage unit properties ......................................... 92 About OpenStorage storage unit recommendations ...................... 94 Configuring OpenStorage optimized duplication behavior ................... 96 Configuring OpenStorage optimized duplication within the same domain ................................................................................. 98 Configuring OpenStorage direct to tape .......................................... 100 Configuring OpenStorage optimized synthetic backups ..................... 102 Adding OpenStorage functionality to an existing environment ........... 102 Setting NetBackup configuration options by using bpsetconfig ........... 103

Chapter 12

Managing OpenStorage .................................................... 105


Managing OpenStorage storage servers .......................................... Changing OpenStorage storage server properties ....................... Deleting an OpenStorage storage server ................................... Determining OpenStorage storage server state .......................... Setting OpenStorage storage server attributes ........................... Removing OpenStorage storage server attributes ....................... Updating an OpenStorage storage server .................................. Viewing OpenStorage storage servers ...................................... Managing OpenStorage server credentials ...................................... Adding OpenStorage server credentials ................................... Changing OpenStorage server credentials ................................. Deleting the OpenStorage server credentials of a data mover ................................................................................... Determining if OpenStorage server credentials exist .................. Managing OpenStorage data movers .............................................. Adding an OpenStorage data mover ......................................... Retiring an OpenStorage data mover ........................................ Managing OpenStorage disk pools ................................................. Adding volumes to an OpenStorage disk pool ............................. Changing OpenStorage disk pool properties .............................. Changing OpenStorage disk pool state ...................................... Changing OpenStorage disk volume state .................................. Deleting an OpenStorage disk pool .......................................... Determining OpenStorage disk pool state ................................. Determining OpenStorage disk volume state ............................. Merging OpenStorage disk pools ............................................. Removing a volume from an OpenStorage disk pool .................... Updating an OpenStorage disk pool ......................................... Viewing OpenStorage disk pools .............................................. 105 106 106 106 107 107 108 109 109 109 110 110 111 111 111 112 113 113 114 115 116 116 117 117 118 119 119 120

Contents

11

Monitoring OpenStorage storage capacity and usage ........................ Viewing OpenStorage disk reports ................................................. About catalog backups to OpenStorage devices ................................ About restoring from backup copies ...............................................

120 121 122 123

Chapter 13

Troubleshooting OpenStorage ........................................ 125


About OpenStorage log files ......................................................... Troubleshooting OpenStorage credentials creation ........................... Troubleshooting Nirvanix storage pool creation ............................... Troubleshooting the encryption plug-in ......................................... Troubleshooting Nirvanix backups and restores ............................... 125 127 127 128 129

Section 3
Chapter 14

SharedDisk option ..................................................... 131


Introducing SharedDisk
................................................... 133 About SharedDisk support in NetBackup 7.0 and later ....................... 133

Section 4
Chapter 15

Shared Storage Option ........................................... 135


Introducing the Shared Storage Option ........................ 137
About the Shared Storage Option .................................................. About Shared Storage Option components ...................................... About SAN media servers ....................................................... About SSO and the NetBackup EMM server ............................... About scan hosts .................................................................. About the device allocation host .............................................. About reserving or releasing shared devices .................................... How to share robotic libraries without using the Shared Storage Option ................................................................................ Shared Storage Option terms and concepts ..................................... 137 138 139 139 139 141 141 142 143

Chapter 16

Licensing the Shared Storage Option ........................... 145


About the Shared Storage Option license key ................................... 145 Licensing the Shared Storage Option .............................................. 145

Chapter 17

Configuring the Shared Storage Option ....................... 147


About Shared Storage Option prerequisites ..................................... 147 About hardware configuration guidelines ....................................... 149 About installing and configuring drivers ......................................... 150

12

Contents

Verifying the connectivity ............................................................ About configuring the Shared Storage Option in NetBackup ............... About configuring SSO in NetBackup ....................................... Configuring Shared Storage Option devices in NetBackup ............ About adding Shared Storage Option configuration options ......... About configuring NetBackup storage units and backup policies ......................................................................... Verifying your Shared Storage Option configuration .........................

150 151 151 151 152 152 153

Chapter 18

Using the Shared Storage Option ................................... 159


Device Monitor and Shared Storage Option ..................................... Viewing SSO summary reports ...................................................... Shared Storage Option summary reports .................................. About adding SSO configuration options ......................................... 159 160 161 161

Chapter 19

Troubleshooting the Shared Storage Option ............... 163


Operating system assistance ......................................................... 163 Common configuration issues with Shared Storage Option ................. 163 Frequently asked questions about Shared Storage Option .................. 165

Index ................................................................................................................... 167

Chapter

Introducing shared storage


This chapter includes the following topics:

About this guide About NetBackup SAN Client and Fibre Transport

About this guide


This guide describes how to install, configure, and use shared storage with NetBackup. NetBackup provides several options that let you share storage among multiple NetBackup media servers, as follows:

The AdvancedDisk option allows multiple NetBackup media servers to share the disk storage that is attached to a NetBackup media server. (Attached means a file system mount on the storage.) See About the AdvancedDisk option on page 17. The OpenStorage option allows multiple NetBackup media servers to share intelligent disk appliance storage or cloud-based storage. See About the NetBackup OpenStorage option on page 57. The SharedDisk option allows multiple NetBackup media servers to share disk array storage. See About SharedDisk support in NetBackup 7.0 and later on page 133. The Shared Storage Option allows multiple NetBackup media servers to share individual tape drives (standalone drives or drives in a robotic library). See About the Shared Storage Option on page 137.

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Introducing shared storage About NetBackup SAN Client and Fibre Transport

About NetBackup SAN Client and Fibre Transport


NetBackup also provides a separately licensed option for high-speed data transport. NetBackup SAN Client and Fibre Transport provide high-performance I/O backup rates for NetBackup client systems by using a storage area network (SAN) for data transport. See the NetBackup SAN Client and Fibre Transport Guide.

Section

AdvancedDisk option

Chapter 2. Introducing AdvancedDisk Chapter 3. Licensing AdvancedDisk Chapter 4. Configuring AdvancedDisk Chapter 5. Managing AdvancedDisk Chapter 6. Toubleshooting AdvancedDisk

16

Chapter

Introducing AdvancedDisk
This chapter includes the following topics:

About the AdvancedDisk option

About the AdvancedDisk option


The NetBackup AdvancedDisk storage option lets you use the disk storage that is attached to a NetBackup media server. (Attached means a file system mount on the storage.) NetBackup aggregates the disks into pools of storage you can use for backups. NetBackup manages the storage as logical entities (disk pools). Figure 2-1 shows a media server and attached disks. Figure 2-1
AdvDiskPool_Gold

AdvancedDisk storage components


AdvDiskPool_Silver

Disk volumes

Network file system mounts NetBackup media servers function as both storage servers and data movers

The NetBackup AdvancedDisk storage option provides the following benefits:

Is easy to deploy and use. NetBackup discovers the storage and uses familiar NetBackup storage units and backup policies to use the storage.

18

Introducing AdvancedDisk About the AdvancedDisk option

Allows multiple file systems to be used in a single storage unit. Allows user to increase storage unit capacity by adding disks. Only add the capacity required, then update the NetBackup disk pools. Logical units of storage span physical boundaries, so you do not have to create new NetBackup storage units or change the backup policies. Reduces the level of administrator attention. Automatic policies distribute job load and intelligently manage capacity so that jobs do not fail because of out of space conditions.

Chapter

Licensing AdvancedDisk
This chapter includes the following topics:

About the AdvancedDisk license key Licensing AdvancedDisk

About the AdvancedDisk license key


AdvancedDisk is a feature that is licensed separately from base NetBackup. The Flexible Disk Option license key activates AdvancedDisk. You may have a single license key that activates both NetBackup and the Flexible Disk Option. Alternatively, you may have one license key that activates NetBackup and another key that activates the Flexible Disk Option. See Licensing AdvancedDisk on page 20. If you remove the Flexible Disk Option license key or if it expires, the following restrictions apply:

You cannot create the disk pools or the storage units that reference AdvancedDisk disk pools. NetBackup jobs that attempt to use the disk pools or the storage units that are based on disk pools fail. The error message indicates that the feature is not licensed.

NetBackup does not delete the disk pools or the storage units that reference the disk pools. You can use them again if you enter a valid license key.

20

Licensing AdvancedDisk Licensing AdvancedDisk

Licensing AdvancedDisk
No special installation is required for the NetBackup components of AdvancedDisk. However, you must enter a license key. If you installed the license key when you installed or upgraded NetBackup, you do not need to perform this procedure. Enter the license key on the NetBackup master server. The following procedure describes how to use the NetBackup Administration Console to enter the license key. To license AdvancedDisk

1 2 3 4 5

To add a license to a specific server, select File > Change Server and then select the server. In the NetBackup License Keys dialog box, click New. In the Add a New License Key dialog box, enter the license key and click Add or OK. Click Close. Restart all the NetBackup services and daemons.

Chapter

Configuring AdvancedDisk
This chapter includes the following topics:

Configuring the AdvancedDisk option About AdvancedDisk file system requirements About AdvancedDisk storage servers About AdvancedDisk data movers About AdvancedDisk shared storage access About AdvancedDisk preferred or required read servers Configuring an AdvancedDisk storage server About AdvancedDisk disk pools Configuring an AdvancedDisk disk pool Configuring an AdvancedDisk storage unit

Configuring the AdvancedDisk option


This section provides an overview of how to configure the NetBackup AdvancedDisk option. Table 4-1 describes the configuration tasks. To configure a base NetBackup environment, see the following guides:

The NetBackup Administrator's Guide for Windows, Volume I. The NetBackup Administrator's Guide for UNIX and Linux, Volume I.

22

Configuring AdvancedDisk About AdvancedDisk file system requirements

Table 4-1 Step


Step 1

AdvancedDisk configuration tasks Task


Learn about file system requirements

Section
See About AdvancedDisk file system requirements on page 22.

Step 2

Learn about storage servers See About AdvancedDisk storage servers and data movers on page 23. See About AdvancedDisk data movers on page 23.

Step 3

Learn about what can affect See About AdvancedDisk shared storage access how you configure storage on page 24. servers See About AdvancedDisk preferred or required read servers on page 24. Configure a storage server See Configuring an AdvancedDisk storage server on page 26. See About AdvancedDisk disk pools on page 29. See Configuring an AdvancedDisk disk pool on page 29. See Configuring an AdvancedDisk storage unit on page 32.

Step 4

Step 5 Step 6

Learn about disk pools Configure a disk pool

Step 7

Configure a storage unit

Step 8

Configure a policy that uses See the NetBackup Administrator's Guide for an AdvancedDisk storage Windows, Volume I. unit See the NetBackup Administrator's Guide for UNIX and Linux, Volume I.

About AdvancedDisk file system requirements


AdvancedDisk can read and write any nonshared file system that NetBackup supports. However, AdvancedDisk is subject to any operating system or file system requirements or limitations. The following subsections describe known requirements and limitations. Requirements and limitations may exist for other file systems. For supported file systems, see the NetBackup operating system compatibility list at Symantec support web site, as follows: http://entsupport.symantec.com/ Disk pool configuration may affect how you configure your file systems.

Configuring AdvancedDisk About AdvancedDisk storage servers

23

See Configuring an AdvancedDisk disk pool on page 29. Additional requirements and limitations are as follows:

NFS file system requirements

You must use manual mount points. Automatic mount and unmount can change mount points, which may cause disk resources to be unavailable. The NFS server that exports the mount points must be configured to allow root access to the file systems.

Note: Symantec recommends that you do not span backup images across NFS volumes in an AdvancedDisk disk pool. File system full conditions cannot be detected adequately. Therefore, a disk pool based on NFS volumes should be comprised of only one volume. Windows CIFS not supported On Windows, networked mapped devices are not visible to Windows services, and AdvancedDisk cannot discover Common Internet File System disk volumes. Therefore, AdvancedDisk does not support the Common Internet File System.

About AdvancedDisk storage servers


A storage server is a NetBackup media server that mounts the disk storage and writes data to and reads data from the disk storage. For AdvancedDisk, NetBackup media servers function as both storage servers and data movers. See About AdvancedDisk data movers on page 23. Multiple storage servers can exist. The storage servers share the storage equally.

About AdvancedDisk data movers


A data mover transfers data from primary storage (a NetBackup client) to secondary storage during backups. It also can move data back to primary storage during restores and from secondary storage to tertiary storage during duplication. You do not configure data movers separately. For AdvancedDisk, NetBackup media servers function as both storage servers and data movers. Data movers are configured when you configure storage servers.

24

Configuring AdvancedDisk About AdvancedDisk shared storage access

About AdvancedDisk shared storage access


With the AdvancedDisk option, you can configure access to your file system storage by more than one media server. If you do so, be aware of the following:

Each media server must mount the file systems of all the disk volumes within a disk pool. The mount points must be the same on each media server. NetBackup does not validate mount points, so you must ensure that the mount points are the same for each media server. You also must ensure that the mount points are valid. To obtain a consolidated list of disk volumes, NetBackup queries every media server. For large sets of servers, queries may affect performance. Disk volume status is monitored on a single media server. Which server monitors the status can change. Therefore, a change in disk volume availability on one media server may not be reflected in the disk volume status NetBackup reports.

To enable AdvancedDisk shared storage access by more than one media server: upgrade the NetBackup master server and the EMM server to NetBackup 6.5.2 or later. (Normally, the master server and the EMM server are on the same computer.) You do not have to upgrade 6.5 media servers. NetBackup 6.5 and later commands support multiple AdvancedDisk media server access to the storage. You can configure disk pools by using the NetBackup Administration Console on the master server or NetBackup commands. To configure shared access, configure multiple media servers as storage servers. See Configuring an AdvancedDisk storage server on page 26.

About AdvancedDisk preferred or required read servers


When you configure a storage server, you can specify that you want it to be preferred or required for restore jobs. You also can specify whether a server should be required for the read side of duplication jobs. These attributes can help manage the restore and the duplication traffic.

Configuring AdvancedDisk About AdvancedDisk preferred or required read servers

25

Table 4-2 Server attribute


PrefRestore

Preferred or required read server descriptions Description


The server is preferred for the read side of restore operations. You can configure more than one server as preferred for restore. If you configure preferred for restore but not required for restore, NetBackup considers preferred storage servers for jobs first. If none are available, NetBackup considers any configured storage server. Normal NetBackup load balancing occurs among all storage servers marked PrefRestore.

ReqRestore

The server is required for the read side of restore operations. You can configure more than one server as required for restore. If you configure required servers for restore but not preferred servers, jobs queue until a required server is available to execute the job. Other servers are never considered for restore jobs. Normal NetBackup rules for job retry apply. If you configure both preferred and required storage servers and a required server is not available, NetBackup considers preferred servers for jobs. If none are available, jobs queue until a required or preferred server is available. Other servers are never considered for restore jobs. Normal NetBackup load balancing occurs for all required servers. Load balancing does not occur between the required and preferred servers.

ReqDuplicate

The server is required for the read side of duplication operations. You can configure more than one server as required for duplication. If any server is configured as required for duplication, NetBackup considers only required for duplication servers for jobs. If a required server is unavailable, jobs queue until a required server is available to execute the job. Normal NetBackup rules for job retry apply. Required for duplication also applies to storage server allocation for synthetic backup operations.

Only the media servers that are configured in the storage unit are considered for jobs. Therefore, if you configure a subset of the disk pool media servers in a storage unit, NetBackup selects from those servers only. If you use the preferred or required restore or duplication attributes for a storage server, the following may occur:

A restore operation uses a storage server that does not have a PrefRestore or ReqRestore attribute. Reasons may be as follows:

26

Configuring AdvancedDisk Configuring an AdvancedDisk storage server

The destination disk pool does not include a storage server with a restore or a duplication attribute. A preferred or required storage server cannot be used because it is unavailable (NetBackup considers it DOWN).

A restore or a duplication operation is queued. The reason may be that a preferred or required storage server cannot be used because it is unavailable (NetBackup considers it DOWN).

If you do not configure preferred or required restore servers, NetBackup uses normal criteria to select a media server for restore or duplication. (That is, if you configure more than one storage server.) Information about how NetBackup balances storage unit and media server load is available. See Maximum concurrent jobs in the following guides:

NetBackup Administrators Guide for UNIX and Linux, Volume I NetBackup Administrators Guide for Windows, Volume I

You can use preferred or required restore servers rather than the Media host override host property. Information about the Media host override property is available. See the following guides:

NetBackup Administrators Guide for UNIX and Linux, Volume I NetBackup Administrators Guide for Windows, Volume I

To enable preferred or required servers for restore or duplication, do the following:

Upgrade the NetBackup master server and the NetBackup EMM server to NetBackup 6.5.2 or later. (Normally, the master server and the EMM server are on the same computer.) Optionally, to enable command-line support on media servers, upgrade the media servers that are used for AdvancedDisk operations to NetBackup 6.5.2 or later. You do not have to upgrade the media servers. You can configure and manage the restore and the duplication storage servers by invoking the commands on the master server.

Configuring an AdvancedDisk storage server


Configure in this context means to configure as a storage server a NetBackup media server that can mount the storage.

Configuring AdvancedDisk Configuring an AdvancedDisk storage server

27

Use the Storage Server Configuration Wizard to configure a storage server. However, if you want to configure preferred or required attributes, use the nbdevconfig command. You can configure multiple storage servers. If you do, you must run the wizard for each storage server you want to configure. You must configure as storage servers the NetBackup media servers that have read and write access to the storage. See About AdvancedDisk storage servers on page 23. When you configure a storage server, it also is configured as a data mover. See About AdvancedDisk data movers on page 23. See About AdvancedDisk preferred or required read servers on page 24. To configure an AdvancedDisk storage server by using the wizard

Determine if the storage server is configured already. See Viewing AdvancedDisk storage servers on page 40.

2 3

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, expand Media and Device Management > Configure Disk Storage Servers. Follow the wizard screens to configure a storage server.

To configure an AdvancedDisk storage server with attributes

Determine if the storage server is configured already. See Viewing AdvancedDisk storage servers on page 40.

Run the following command on the NetBackup master server or the media server:
nbdevconfig -creatests -storage_server hostname -stype AdvancedDisk [-st storage_type] -media_server hostname [-setattribute attribute]

The following is the path to the nbdevconfig command:


UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd

See AdvancedDisk storage server options on page 27.

AdvancedDisk storage server options


The following are the nbdevconfig command options that are used to configure storage servers.

28

Configuring AdvancedDisk Configuring an AdvancedDisk storage server

Table 4-3 Option

Options to configure AdvancedDisk storage server Description

-storage_server The name of the NetBackup media server that has a file system mount on the storage. storage_server -stype hostname -st storage_type Use AdvancedDisk. A numeric value that specifies the storage server properties. For AdvancedDisk, the default is 5 (direct attached, formatted disk). Required only if you want to use a value other than the default. Determine the value by adding together the numeric values of the following properties: 1 - formatted disk. The disk is formatted as part of the vendor-specific preparation; NetBackup does not format the disk. 2 - raw disk. The disk is not formatted; NetBackup formats the disk. 4 - direct attached. Direct-attached means that the storage server and media server are the same NetBackup host. 8 - network attached. Network-attached means that the storage server is physically distinct from the NetBackup media server. It does not imply LAN data movement nor does it preclude Fibre Channel as the transport for data movement.

Whether the disk is formatted and how it is attached are mutually exclusive and complementary. -media_server hostname -setattribute attribute Use the same name as the storage server name.

An attribute to apply to the storage server for the read side of restore or duplication operations. The following are the attributes:

PrefRestore. The storage server is preferred for the read side of restore operations. More than one storage server can have the PrefRestore attribute.

ReqRestore. The storage server is required for the read side of restore operations. More than one storage server can have the ReqRestore attribute. ReqDuplicate. The storage server is required for the read side of duplication operations. More than one storage server can have the ReqDuplicate attribute.

See About AdvancedDisk preferred or required read servers on page 24.

Configuring AdvancedDisk About AdvancedDisk disk pools

29

About AdvancedDisk disk pools


A disk pool represents disk volumes on the underlying disk storage. NetBackup aggregates the disk volumes into pools of storage you can use for backups. A disk pool is the storage destination of a NetBackup storage unit. For AdvancedDisk, NetBackup assumes exclusive ownership of the disk resources that comprise the disk pool. If you share those resources with other users, NetBackup cannot manage disk pool capacity or storage lifecycle policies correctly. When NetBackup sends backup data to a disk pool, NetBackup selects disk volumes based on available capacity and predicted size of the backup. NetBackup tries to write backup data to a single volume. If necessary, backup images span disk volumes in a disk pool. Backup images do not span across multiple disk pools. Note: Symantec recommends that you do not span backup images across NFS volumes in an AdvancedDisk disk pool. File system full conditions cannot be detected adequately. Therefore, a disk pool based on NFS volumes should be comprised of only one volume. See Configuring an AdvancedDisk disk pool on page 29.

Configuring an AdvancedDisk disk pool


When you create an AdvancedDisk disk pool, you specify the following:

The NetBackup media servers that share the storage. The media servers must be configured as storage servers. They also function as data movers. When you specify the storage servers, you associate them with the disk pool. Only those storage servers can access the disk pool. See About AdvancedDisk storage servers on page 23. The disk volumes to include in the pool. The disk pool properties. See AdvancedDisk disk pool properties on page 30.

Symantec recommends that disk volume and disk pool names be unique across your enterprise. You must first configure storage servers. See Configuring an AdvancedDisk storage server on page 26. Once you've configured storage servers, proceed to creating a disk pool.

30

Configuring AdvancedDisk Configuring an AdvancedDisk disk pool

To configure an AdvancedDisk disk pool

1 2

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, select Media and Device Management. From the list of wizards in the right pane, click Configure Disk Pool and follow the wizard instructions. NetBackup does not filter out common file system mount points, such as / and /usr. Therefore, carefully choose the volumes to include in a disk pool. For help, see the wizard help.

AdvancedDisk disk pool properties


Table 4-4 describes the disk pool properties. Table 4-4 Property
Name Storage server

AdvancedDisk disk pool properties Description


The disk pool name. The storage server name. The storage server is the same as the NetBackup media server to which the storage is attached. The disk volumes that comprise the disk pool. The total amount of space available in the disk pool. The total raw, unformatted size of the storage in the disk pool. A comment that is associated with the disk pool.

Disk volumes Total size Total raw size Comment

Configuring AdvancedDisk Configuring an AdvancedDisk disk pool

31

Table 4-4 Property


High water mark

AdvancedDisk disk pool properties (continued) Description


The High water mark setting is a threshold that triggers the following actions: When an individual volume in the disk pool reaches the High water mark, NetBackup considers the volume full.NetBackup chooses a different volume in the disk pool to write backup images to. When all volumes in the disk pool reach the High water mark, the disk pool is considered full. NetBackup fails any backup jobs that are assigned to a storage unit in which the disk pool is full. NetBackup also does not assign new jobs to a storage unit in which the disk pool is full. NetBackup begins image cleanup when a volume reaches the High water mark; image cleanup expires the images that are no longer valid. For a disk pool that is full, NetBackup again assigns jobs to the storage unit when image cleanup reduces any disk volume's capacity to less than the High water mark. If the storage unit for the disk pool is in a capacity-managed storage lifecycle policy, other factors affect image cleanup. See the NetBackup Administrator's Guide for UNIX and Linux, Volume I. See the NetBackup Administrator's Guide for Windows, Volume I.

The default is 98%. Low water mark The Low water mark is a threshold at which NetBackup stops image cleanup. TheLow water mark setting cannot be greater than or equal to the High water mark setting. The default is 80%.

32

Configuring AdvancedDisk Configuring an AdvancedDisk storage unit

Table 4-4 Property


Limit I/O streams

AdvancedDisk disk pool properties (continued) Description


Select this option to limit the number of read and write streams (that is, jobs) for each volume in the disk pool. A job may read backup images or write backup images. By default, there is no limit. When the limit is reached, NetBackup chooses another volume, if available. If not available, NetBackup queues jobs until a volume is available. Too many jobs that read and write data may degrade disk performance because of disk thrashing. (Disk thrashing is when the read and write heads move between the cylinders excessively as they seek the data for competing jobs.) Fewer streams can improve throughput, which may increase the number of jobs that complete in a specific time period.

per volume

Select or enter the number of read and write streams to allow per volume. Many factors affect the optimal number of streams. Factors include but are not limited to disk speed, CPU speed, and the amount of memory.

Configuring an AdvancedDisk storage unit


Create one or more storage units that reference the disk pool. The Disk Pool Configuration Wizard lets you create a storage unit; therefore, you may have created a storage unit when you created a disk pool. To determine if storage units exist for the disk pool, see the NetBackup Management > Storage > Storage Units window of the NetBackup Administration Console. See About AdvancedDisk storage unit recommendations on page 35. More information about storage units is available. See the NetBackup Administrator's Guide for Windows, Volume I. See the NetBackup Administrator's Guide for UNIX and Linux, Volume I.

Configuring AdvancedDisk Configuring an AdvancedDisk storage unit

33

To configure a storage unit from the Actions menu

1 2

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, select NetBackup Management > Storage > Storage Units. Click Actions > New > Storage Unit.

Complete the fields and set the options in the New Storage Unit dialog box. See AdvancedDisk storage unit properties on page 33.

Click OK.

AdvancedDisk storage unit properties


The following are the configuration options for a disk pool storage unit.

34

Configuring AdvancedDisk Configuring an AdvancedDisk storage unit

Table 4-5 Property

AdvancedDisk storage unit properties Description

Storage unit name Enter a unique name for the new storage unit. The name can describe the type of storage. The storage unit name is the name used to specify a storage unit for policies and schedules. The storage unit name cannot be changed after creation. Storage unit type Select Disk as the storage unit type. Disk type Disk pool Select AdvancedDisk for the disk type. Select the disk pool that contains the storage for this storage unit. All disk pools of the specified Disk type appear in the Disk pool list. If no disk pools are configured, no disk pools appear in the list. Media server Specify the NetBackup media servers that can move data to and from the disk pool for this storage unit. Only the media servers that are configured as storage servers appear in the media servers list. Specify the media server or servers as follows: To allow any server in the media server list to access the disk storage (default), select Use any available media server. To restrict the media servers that can access the disk storage, select Only use the following media servers. Then, select the media servers to allow. The selection list includes only the media servers that are configured as storage servers for the disk pool.

NetBackup selects the media server to use when the policy runs. Maximum fragment size Specify the largest fragment size that NetBackup can create to store backups. The default maximum fragment size for a disk storage unit is 524,288 megabytes. To specify a maximum fragment size other than the default, enter a value from 20 megabytes to 524,288 megabytes. Backups to disk are usually fragmented to ensure that the backup does not exceed the maximum size that the file system allows. If an error occurs in a backup, the entire backup is discarded. The backup restarts from the beginning, not from the fragment where the error occurred. (An exception is for backups for which checkpoint and restart are enabled. In that case, fragments before and including the last checkpoint are retained; the fragments after the last checkpoint are discarded.)

Configuring AdvancedDisk Configuring an AdvancedDisk storage unit

35

Table 4-5 Property


Maximum concurrent jobs

AdvancedDisk storage unit properties (continued) Description


Specify the maximum number of jobs that NetBackup can send to a disk storage unit at one time. (Default: one job. The job count can range from 0 to 256.) This setting corresponds to the Maximum concurrent write drives setting for a Media Manager storage unit. NetBackup queues jobs until the storage unit is available. If three backup jobs are scheduled and Maximum concurrent jobs is set to two, NetBackup starts the first two jobs and queues the third job. If a job contains multiple copies, each copy applies toward the Maximum concurrent jobs count. Maximum concurrent jobs controls the traffic for backup and duplication jobs but not restore jobs. The count applies to all servers in the storage unit, not per server. If you select multiple media servers in the storage unit and 1 for Maximum concurrent jobs, only one job runs at a time. The number to enter depends on the available disk space and the server's ability to run multiple backup processes.

Warning: A Maximum concurrent jobs setting of 0 disables the storage


unit.

About AdvancedDisk storage unit recommendations


You can use storage unit properties to control how NetBackup moves backup and duplication data. For example, you can configure a favorable client-to-server ratio for important clients by using the storage unit Media server setting. See About configuring a favorable client-to-server ratio on page 35. You also can use the storage unit Maximum concurrent jobs setting to control the backup or the duplication traffic that is sent to the media servers. See About throttling traffic to the media servers on page 36.

About configuring a favorable client-to-server ratio


For a favorable client-to-server ratio, you can use one disk pool and configure multiple storage units to separate your backup traffic. Because all storage units use the same disk pool, you do not have to partition the storage.

36

Configuring AdvancedDisk Configuring an AdvancedDisk storage unit

For example, assume that you have 100 important clients, 500 regular clients, and four media servers. You can use two media servers to back up your most important clients and two media servers to back up your regular clients. The following example describes how to configure a favorable client-to-server ratio:

Configure the media servers for AdvancedDisk and configure the storage. Configure a disk pool. Configure a storage unit for your most important clients (such as STU-GOLD). Select the disk pool. Select Only use the following media servers. Select two media servers to use for your important backups. Create a backup policy for the 100 important clients and select the STU-GOLD storage unit. The media servers that are specified in the storage unit move the client data to the storage server. Configure another storage unit (such as STU-SILVER). Select the same disk pool. Select Only use the following media servers. Select the other two media servers. Configure a backup policy for the 500 regular clients and select the STU-SILVER storage unit. The media servers that are specified in the storage unit move the client data to the storage server.

Backup traffic is routed to the wanted data movers by the storage unit settings. Note: NetBackup uses storage units for media server selection for write activity (backups and duplications) only. For restores, NetBackup chooses among all media servers that can access the disk pool.

About throttling traffic to the media servers


You can use the Maximum concurrent jobs settings on disk pool storage units to throttle the traffic to the media servers. Effectively, this setting also directs higher loads to specific media servers when you use multiple storage units for the same disk pool. A higher number of concurrent jobs means that the disk can be busier than if the number is lower. For example, two storage units use the same set of media servers. One of the storage units (STU-GOLD) has a higher Maximum concurrent jobs setting than the other (STU-SILVER). More client backups occur for the storage unit with the higher Maximum concurrent jobs setting.

Chapter

Managing AdvancedDisk
This chapter includes the following topics:

Managing AdvancedDisk storage servers Managing AdvancedDisk disk pools Monitoring AdvancedDisk storage capacity and usage Monitoring NetBackup disk activity Viewing disk reports

Managing AdvancedDisk storage servers


After you configure AdvancedDisk, you can perform various tasks to manage storage servers. See Deleting an AdvancedDisk storage server on page 37. See Determining AdvancedDisk storage server state on page 38. See Removing an AdvancedDisk storage server from disk pool access on page 39. See Removing AdvancedDisk storage server attributes on page 38. See Viewing AdvancedDisk storage servers on page 40. See Viewing AdvancedDisk storage server attributes on page 40.

Deleting an AdvancedDisk storage server


Use the nbdevconfig command to delete a storage server. If you delete a storage server, NetBackup removes it from your configuration. The media server is not deleted from your configuration. To delete the media server, use the NetBackup nbemmcmd command.

38

Managing AdvancedDisk Managing AdvancedDisk storage servers

If a disk pool is configured from the disk volumes that the storage server manages, you cannot delete the storage server. Warning: Do not delete a storage server if its storage contains unexpired NetBackup images. If you do, data loss may occur. To delete an AdvancedDisk storage server

1 2 3

In the NetBackup Administration Console, expand Media and Device Management > Credentials > Storage Server. On the Edit menu, select Delete. Click Yes in the confirmation dialog box.

Determining AdvancedDisk storage server state


Use the NetBackup nbdevquery command to determine the state of an AdvancedDisk storage server. To determine AdvancedDisk storage server status

Run the following command:


nbdevquery -liststs -stype AdvancedDisk -storage_server server_name -U

The following is the path to the nbdevquery command:


UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd

The State field shows either UP or DOWN.

Removing AdvancedDisk storage server attributes


Use the nbdevconfig command to remove the following storage server attributes:

Preferred restore server (PrefRestore) Required restore server (ReqRestore) Required duplication server (ReqDuplicate)

See About AdvancedDisk preferred or required read servers on page 24. Attributes are added when you use the nbdevconfig command to configure a storage server. See Configuring an AdvancedDisk storage server on page 26.

Managing AdvancedDisk Managing AdvancedDisk storage servers

39

To remove AdvancedDisk storage server attributes

Run the following command on the NetBackup master server or on a storage server:
nbdevconfig -changests -storage_server storage_server -stype AdvancedDisk -clearattribute attribute

The following is the path to the nbdevconfig command:


UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd

Removing an AdvancedDisk storage server from disk pool access


Use the nbdevconfig command to remove a storage server so that it no longer can access a disk pool. If NetBackup jobs exist that use that storage server, you cannot remove the storage server. Warning: If you remove the only storage server, data may be lost. NetBackup cannot access the disk pool and the backup images on the disk pool. To remove an AdvancedDisk storage server from disk pool access

For every storage unit that specifies the storage server (media server) in Use one of the following media servers, clear the check box that specifies the media server. This step is not required if the storage unit is configured to use any available media server.

If only one storage server exists, change the state of all disk pools on the array to DOWN. To do so, use the following command:
nbdevconfig -changestate -stype AdvancedDisk -dp disk_pool_name -state DOWN

The following is the path to the nbdevconfig command:


UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd

Remove the storage server. The following is the command syntax:


nbdevconfig -changedp -stype AdvancedDisk -dp disk_pool_name -del_storage_servers storage_server

40

Managing AdvancedDisk Managing AdvancedDisk disk pools

Viewing AdvancedDisk storage servers


Use the NetBackup Administration Console to view a list of storage servers already configured. To view AdvancedDisk storage servers

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, expand Media and Device Management > Credentials > Storage Server. The right pane, labeled All Storage Servers , shows all configured storage servers. AdvancedDisk storage servers show AdvancedDisk in the Disk Type column.

Viewing AdvancedDisk storage server attributes


Use the NetBackup nbdevquery command to view the storage server attributes. To view AdvancedDisk storage server attributes

Run the following command on the NetBackup master server or a storage server:
nbdevquery -liststs -storage_server storage_server -stype AdvancedDisk U

The following is the path to the nbdevconfig command:


UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd

The following is example output:


Storage Server : advdsk_server.symantecs.com Storage Server Type : AdvancedDisk Storage Type : Formatted Disk, Direct Attached State : UP Flag : PrefRestore

This example output is shortened; more flags may appear in actual output.

Managing AdvancedDisk disk pools


After you configure AdvancedDisk, you can perform various tasks to manage your AdvancedDisk disk pools. See Adding volumes to an AdvancedDisk disk pool on page 41. See Changing AdvancedDisk disk pool properties on page 41.

Managing AdvancedDisk Managing AdvancedDisk disk pools

41

See Changing AdvancedDisk disk pool state on page 42. See Changing AdvancedDisk disk volume state on page 43. See Deleting an AdvancedDisk disk pool on page 43. See Determining AdvancedDisk disk pool state on page 44. See Determining AdvancedDisk disk volume state on page 44. See Merging AdvancedDisk disk pools on page 45. See Removing a volume from an AdvancedDisk disk pool on page 45. See Viewing AdvancedDisk disk pools on page 46.

Adding volumes to an AdvancedDisk disk pool


You can expand a disk pools capacity by adding disk volumes to the disk pool. The names of the new volumes must differ from the names of the volumes in the current disk pool. The NetBackup storage units that use the disk pool use the additional storage capacity automatically. You do not have to change the storage units. (By default, NetBackup automatically increases disk pool capacity if the capacity of the underlying disk volumes increases. Similarly, NetBackup decreases the capacity of a disk pool if the underlying disk volume capacity decreases.) Table 5-1 Task
Create a disk pool from the new disk volumes on the storage server. Merge the disk pools.

Add volumes process for an AdvancedDisk disk pool Procedure


See Configuring an AdvancedDisk disk pool on page 29.

When you merge the disk pools, specify the original disk pool as the primary one. NetBackup deletes the secondary disk pool after the merge. See Merging AdvancedDisk disk pools on page 45.

Changing AdvancedDisk disk pool properties


You can change the properties of a disk pool. To add volumes to a disk pool, you must use a different procedure. See Adding volumes to an AdvancedDisk disk pool on page 41.

42

Managing AdvancedDisk Managing AdvancedDisk disk pools

To change disk pool properties

1 2 3

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, expand Media and Device Management > Devices > Disk Pools. In the right pane, select the disk pool you want to change. Click Edit > Change.

In the Change Disk Pool dialog box, change properties. See AdvancedDisk disk pool properties on page 30.

Click OK.

Changing AdvancedDisk disk pool state


Disk pool state is UP or DOWN. To change the state to DOWN, the disk pool must not be busy. If backup jobs are assigned to the disk pool, the state change fails. Cancel the backup jobs or wait until the jobs complete.

Managing AdvancedDisk Managing AdvancedDisk disk pools

43

To change AdvancedDisk disk pool state

1 2 3 4

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, select Media and Device Management > Device Monitor. Select the Disk Pools tab. Select the disk pool. Select either Actions > Up or Actions > Down.

Changing AdvancedDisk disk volume state


Use the NetBackup nbdevconfig command to change disk volume state. The state is UP or DOWN. To change the state to DOWN, the disk pool in which the volume resides must not be busy. If backup jobs are assigned to the disk pool, the state change fails. Cancel the backup jobs or wait until the jobs complete. NetBackup jobs still read from and write to a disk pool that has a downed volume, but the downed volume is unavailable. To change the AdvancedDisk disk volume state

Determine the name of the disk volume. The following command lists all volumes in the specified disk pool:
nbdevquery -listdv -stype AdvancedDisk -dp disk_pool_name

The nbdevquery command resides in the following directory:


UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\netbackup\bin\admincmd

To display the disk volumes in all disk pools, omit the -dp option.

Change the disk volume state. The following is the command syntax:
nbdevconfig -changestate -stype AdvancedDisk -dp disk_pool_name dv vol_name -state state

The nbdevconfig command resides in the following directory:


UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\netbackup\bin\admincmd

The state is either UP or DOWN.

Deleting an AdvancedDisk disk pool


If you delete a disk pool, NetBackup removes it from your configuration.

44

Managing AdvancedDisk Managing AdvancedDisk disk pools

If a disk pool is the storage destination of a storage unit, you must first delete the storage unit. Warning: Do not delete a disk pool that contains unexpired NetBackup images; if you do, data loss may occur. To delete an AdvancedDisk disk pool

1 2 3 4

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, select Media and Device Management > Devices > Disk Pools. Select a disk pool Click Edit > Delete. In the Delete Disk Pool dialog box, verify that the disk pool is the one you want to delete and then click OK.

Determining AdvancedDisk disk pool state


Disk pool state is UP or DOWN. To determine AdvancedDisk disk pool state

1 2 3

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, select Media and Device Management > Device Monitor. Select the Disk Pools tab. The state is displayed in the Status column.

Determining AdvancedDisk disk volume state


Use the NetBackup nbdevquery command to determine the state of the volumes in AdvancedDisk disk pools. To determine AdvancedDisk disk volume state

Determine the name of the disk volume. The following command lists the volumes in the specified disk pool:
nbdevquery -listdv -stype AdvancedDisk -dp disk_pool_name

The following is the path to the nbdevquery command:


UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd

Managing AdvancedDisk Managing AdvancedDisk disk pools

45

To display the disk volumes in all AdvancedDisk disk pools, omit the -dp option.

Display the volume state by using the following command:


nbdevquery -listdv -dv disk_volume -stype AdvancedDisk

The state is either UP or DOWN.

Merging AdvancedDisk disk pools


Use the NetBackup nbdevconfig command to merge existing disk pools. NetBackup updates the catalog records to show the correct location of the backup images in those disk pools. If the secondary disk pool is referenced by storage units, you must first delete those storage units. To merge AdvancedDisk disk pools

Change the state of each disk pool to DOWN. See Changing AdvancedDisk disk pool state on page 42. If backup jobs are assigned to a disk pool, the state change fails. Cancel the backup jobs or wait until the jobs complete.

Merge the disk pools. The following is the command syntax. The primary disk pool is the one you want to retain; nbdevconfig deletes the secondary disk pool after the merge.
nbdevconfig mergedps stype AdvancedDisk -primarydp disk_pool_name -secondarydp disk_pool_name

The following is the path to the nbdevconfig command:


UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\netbackup\bin\admincmd

Change the state of the primary disk pool to UP. See Changing AdvancedDisk disk pool state on page 42.

Removing a volume from an AdvancedDisk disk pool


Use the nbdevconfig command to remove a volume from a disk pool. The following are the prerequisites:

NetBackup image fragments cannot exist on the disk volume. NetBackup jobs cannot be active on the disk volume.

46

Managing AdvancedDisk Monitoring AdvancedDisk storage capacity and usage

By default, NetBackup automatically decreases disk pool capacity if you remove a disk volume. The following is the path to the nbdevconfig command:

UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd

To remove a volume from an AdvancedDisk disk pool

Change the disk volume state to DOWN. See Changing AdvancedDisk disk volume state on page 43.

Change the disk pool state to DOWN. See Changing AdvancedDisk disk pool state on page 42.

Remove the volume by using the nbdevconfig command. The following is the command syntax:
nbdevconfig -deletedv -stype AdvancedDisk -dp disk_pool_name dv vol_name

Change the disk pool state to UP. See Changing AdvancedDisk disk pool state on page 42.

Viewing AdvancedDisk disk pools


Use the NetBackup Administration Console to view configured disk pools. To view disk pools

In the NetBackup Administration Console tree, in the left pane, select Media and Device Management > Devices > Disk Pools. The list appears in the right pane.

Monitoring AdvancedDisk storage capacity and usage


To monitor storage capacity and usage, see the following:
The NetBackup The Disk Pools window displays a value that was stored Administration Console Disk when NetBackup polled the disk pools. The value may not Pools window. be as current as the value that is displayed in the Storage Server window. To display the window, select Media and Device Management > Devices > Disk Pools.

Managing AdvancedDisk Monitoring NetBackup disk activity

47

The NetBackup Disk Pool status report. NetBackup Administration Console Storage Server window

See Viewing disk reports on page 48.

The storage server view displays real-time values. To display the window, select Media and Device Management > Credentials > Storage Servers.

The NetBackupLicenseKeys The summary of active capacity-based license features in dialog box. the NetBackup License Keys dialog box. The summary displays the storage capacity for which you are licensed and the capacity used. It does not display the amount of physical storage space. To open the dialog box, select Help > License Keys in the NetBackup Administration Console.

The NetBackup OpsCenter also provides information about storage capacity and usage. See the NetBackup OpsCenter Administrator's Guide.

Monitoring NetBackup disk activity


You can monitor NetBackup disk-related activity and status by viewing the NetBackup log files. Some NetBackup commands or processes write messages to their own log files. Other processes use Veritas unified log (VxUL) files. VxUL uses a standardized name and file format for log files. An originator ID (OID) identifies the process that writes the log messages. Table 5-2 shows the NetBackup logs for disk-related activity. The messages that begin with a sts_ prefix relate to the interaction with the storage vendor software plug-in. Most interaction occurs on the NetBackup media servers.

48

Managing AdvancedDisk Viewing disk reports

Table 5-2 Activity


Backups and restores

NetBackup logs VxUL OID


N/A

Processes that use the ID


Messages appear in the log files for the following processes:

The bpbrm backup and restore manager The bpdbm database manager The bpdm disk manager The bptm tape manager for I/O operations

Backups and restores Device configuration Device configuration Device configuration

117

The nbjm job manager.

111

The nbemm process.

178

The Disk Service Manager process that runs in the Enterprise Media Manager (EMM) process. The Storage Server Interface process that runs in the Remote Manager and Monitor Service. RMMS runs on media servers. The Remote Disk Service Manager interface (RDSM) that runs in the Remote Manager and Monitor Service. RMMS runs on media servers.

202

Device configuration

230

To view and manage VxUL log files, you must use NetBackup log commands. Information about how to use and manage logs on NetBackup servers is available. See the NetBackup Troubleshooting Guide.

Viewing disk reports


The NetBackup disk reports include information about the disk pools, disk storage units, disk logs, images that are stored on disk media, and storage capacity. Table 5-3 describes the disk reports available.

Managing AdvancedDisk Viewing disk reports

49

Table 5-3 Report


Images on Disk

Disk reports Description


The Images on Disk report generates the image list present on the disk storage units that are connected to the media server. The report is a subset of the Images on Media report; it shows only disk-specific columns. The report provides a summary of the storage unit contents. If a disk becomes bad or if a media server crashes, this report can let you know what data is lost.

Disk Logs

The Disk Logs report displays the media errors or the informational messages that are recorded in the NetBackup error catalog. The report is a subset of the Media Logs report; it shows only disk-specific columns. The Disk Storage Unit Status report displays the state of disk storage units in the current NetBackup configuration. For disk pool capacity, see the disk pools window in Media and Device Management > Devices > Disk Pools. Multiple storage units can point to the same disk pool. When the report query is by storage unit, the report counts the capacity of disk pool storage multiple times.

Disk Storage Unit

Disk Pool Status

The Disk Pool Status report displays the state of disk pool storage units. This report displays only when an Enterprise Disk Option license is installed.

To view disk reports

1 2 3 4

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, expand NetBackup Management > Reports > Disk Reports. Select the name of a disk report. In the right pane, select the report settings. Click Run Report.

50

Managing AdvancedDisk Viewing disk reports

Chapter

Toubleshooting AdvancedDisk
This chapter includes the following topics:

AdvancedDisk troubleshooting Resolving an incorrect storage type problem

AdvancedDisk troubleshooting
The following may help you troubleshoot AdvancedDisk: Table 6-1 Problem
Unable to access storage

AdvancedDisk troubleshooting Solution


If NetBackup cannot access the storage, one possible cause is that the storage server was created with the incorrect nbdevconfig storage type (-st) value. An AdvancedDisk storage server -st value is 5 (formatted disk, directly attached); values other than 5 are incorrect. More procedural information is available about resolving this problem. See Resolving an incorrect storage type problem on page 52.

Multiple storage servers on Windows

AdvancedDisk does not support Common Internet File System (CIFS). If you try to configure multiple storage servers, NetBackup returns the following message:

DSM does not support to use multiple Windows Storage server type: AdvancedDisk.

52

Toubleshooting AdvancedDisk Resolving an incorrect storage type problem

Table 6-1 Problem

AdvancedDisk troubleshooting (continued) Solution


If a volume becomes unmounted, NetBackup changes the volume state to DOWN. NetBackup jobs that require that volume fail. To change the volume state to UP, mount the file system

Volume state changes to DOWN when volume is unmounted

Disk failure - AdvancedDisk If recovery mechanisms do not protect a disk that fails, the backup images on that disk are lost. Operating system read and write errors may occur for the volume that represents the disk. NetBackup cannot use that volume because of the errors, and NetBackup jobs may fail. To prevent NetBackup from trying to read from or write to the disk, you must change the volume state to DOWN in NetBackup. If the volume represents other disks that still function, those disks are not available because the volume state is DOWN. You may be able to read from the volume by mounting it manually. If so, you may be able to recover image fragments from any disks that did not fail. If you replace a failed disk, you can use the same mount point for the replacement disk. Change the volume state to UP, and NetBackup uses that volume again. Any valid backup images on that volume are available for restores.

Resolving an incorrect storage type problem


First determine the storage server value to verify that the storage server was created with the incorrect nbdevconfig storage type value. Then proceed to resolving the problem if necessary. To determine the storage server value

Invoke the following command on the master server or a media server that functions as a storage server: The following output shows an incorrect value for AdvancedDisk:
Storage Server : halo Storage Server Type : AdvancedDisk Storage Type : Formatted Disk, Network Attached

Toubleshooting AdvancedDisk Resolving an incorrect storage type problem

53

To resolve an incorrect storage type problem

1 2 3 4 5

Delete all disk pools that use the storage server. Delete the storage server. Reconfigure the storage server. Recreate the disk pools. If necessary, specify the new disk pools in the storage units. If you recreated the disk pools with the same names as the ones you deleted, this step is not necessary.

See AdvancedDisk troubleshooting on page 51.

54

Toubleshooting AdvancedDisk Resolving an incorrect storage type problem

Section

OpenStorage option

Chapter 7. Introducing OpenStorage Chapter 8. Planning your deployment Chapter 9. Provisioning the storage Chapter 10. Licensing OpenStorage Chapter 11. Configuring OpenStorage Chapter 12. Managing OpenStorage Chapter 13. Troubleshooting OpenStorage

56

Chapter

Introducing OpenStorage
This chapter includes the following topics:

About the NetBackup OpenStorage option About control of the storage

About the NetBackup OpenStorage option


OpenStorage is a Symantec API that allows NetBackup to communicate with the storage implementations that conform to the API. Storage may be the following:

Disk appliances that include a host computer and the storage. Nirvanix cloud-based storage.

Storage vendors participate in the Symantec OpenStorage Partner Program. Symantec qualifies their storage solutions for the OpenStorage API. Depending on the storage implementation, OpenStorage may provide the following capabilities:

Share disks. Multiple heterogeneous media servers can access the same disk volume concurrently. Balance load and performance. NetBackup balances backup jobs and storage usage among the media servers and disk pools. For each backup job, NetBackup chooses the least full disk volume and least busy media server. Use of disk appliance capabilities, which may include optimized off-host duplication and deduplicated storage capabilities. Fast storage provisioning. Almost unlimited storage. Alternative to off-site vaulting.

58

Introducing OpenStorage About control of the storage

Simplified disaster recovery. Access your data from anywhere over the Internet.

Figure 7-1 shows an OpenStorage configuration that uses a disk appliance. Figure 7-1 OpenStorage appliance configuration
Load-balanced NetBackup media servers are data movers. They have the vendor plug-in installed.

Network

Any connectivity (directly attached, SAN, LAN)

The disk appliance is the storage server.

About control of the storage


The vendor's storage implementation controls the storage format and where the images reside on the storage. The vendor controls the data transfer method. Consequently, performance and storage utilization are highly optimized. NetBackup has no knowledge of how the backup images are stored. Also, Symantec does not control which capabilities the vendor exposes through the OpenStorage API. Similarly, Symantec and NetBackup have no control over the communication between the vendor plug-in and the storage server. The vendor determines the API or protocol to use between the plug-in and the storage server. NetBackup determines when backup images are created, copied, or deleted. Images cannot be moved, expired, or deleted on the storage unless NetBackup instructs the appliance to do so through the API.

Chapter

Planning your deployment


This chapter includes the following topics:

Planning your OpenStorage deployment About OpenStorage requirements and limitations About OpenStorage storage servers About OpenStorage server credentials About OpenStorage data movers About the OpenStorage plug-in About OpenStorage disk pools About OpenStorage optimized duplication methods About OpenStorage optimized synthetic backups About OpenStorage direct to tape About Nirvanix cloud storage

Planning your OpenStorage deployment


Table 8-1 provides an overview of NetBackup OpenStorage. This overview and the topics to which it refers may help you plan your deployment. Table 8-1 Step
Step 1

OpenStorage deployment Instructions

Task

Read about requirements and See About OpenStorage requirements and limitations on page 60. limitations

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Planning your deployment About OpenStorage requirements and limitations

Table 8-1 Step


Step 2

OpenStorage deployment (continued) Instructions

Task

Learn about storage servers, See About OpenStorage storage servers on page 61. data movers, and credentials See About OpenStorage data movers on page 62. See About OpenStorage server credentials on page 61.

Step 3

Learn about disk pools

See About OpenStorage disk pools on page 63. See About spanning volumes on OpenStorage disk pools on page 63.

Step 4

Learn about optimized duplication Learn about optimized synthetic backups Learn about copy to tape Learn about Nirvanix cloud storage

See About OpenStorage optimized duplication methods on page 64.

Step 5

See About OpenStorage optimized synthetic backups on page 66.

Step 6 Step 7

See About OpenStorage direct to tape on page 67. See About Nirvanix cloud storage on page 72.

Step 8

Learn about provisioning the See About provisioning the disk storage appliance on page 77. storage See About installing the disk appliance plug-in on page 78. See the configuration overview topics See Configuring OpenStorage disk appliance storage on page 81. See Configuring OpenStorage Nirvanix cloud storage on page 83.

Step 9

About OpenStorage requirements and limitations


The following are the requirements to use the OpenStorage option:

A NetBackup OpenStorage Option license key. Storage that is exposed to NetBackup through a software plug-in that conforms to the Symantec OpenStorage API.

OpenStorage does not support the following:

Storage unit groups

Information about supported systems is available. See the NetBackup Release Notes.

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About OpenStorage storage servers


A storage server is an entity that writes data to and reads data from the storage. The storage server owns exclusive access to the storage. The entity that functions as the storage server depends on the storage implementation, as follows:

For OpenStorage solutions that use a disk appliance, the disk appliance host is the storage server. For Nirvanix Storage Delivery Network cloud-based storage, nirvanix.com is the storage server.

For each OpenStorage environment, only one storage server exists. When you configure the storage server, you enter the storage server host name. You also must enter the storage server type, as follows:

For disk appliance storage, your storage vendor provides the name of the storage type. For Nirvanix cloud storage, enter one of the following:

nirvanix for data that is not encrypted. nirvanix_e to use encryption for the data you send to the cloud.

See About OpenStorage data movers on page 62.

About OpenStorage server credentials


The storage host may require logon credentials. The NetBackup media servers that function as data movers require the credentials for storage access. When you configure a storage server in the Storage Server Configuration Wizard, you configure its credentials. NetBackup does the following:

Saves the credentials so the media servers can log into the storage server. If the storage server is also an NDMP FSE host for direct to tape operations, they both must have the same logon credentials. See About OpenStorage direct to tape on page 67. Configures each media server you select as a data mover. NetBackup does not monitor connectivity between data movers and the storage server. However, when you configure the credentials, NetBackup configures and maintains an access path between the media server and the storage server. See About OpenStorage data movers on page 62.

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Planning your deployment About OpenStorage data movers

If the storage server does not require logon credentials, you must enter dummy credentials so that NetBackup configures the media servers as data movers.

About OpenStorage data movers


A data mover is a NetBackup media server that backs up a client and then transfers the data to a storage server. The storage server then writes the data to storage. A data mover also can move data back to primary storage (the client) during restores and from secondary storage to tertiary storage during duplication. The data movers host a software plug-in they use to communicate with the storage implementation. When you configure the storage server, you also select the media servers that host the OpenStorage plug-in. Those media server data movers are assigned the credentials for the storage server. The credentials allow the data movers to communicate with the storage server. NetBackup then configures the media servers as data movers. You can control which data movers are used for backups and duplications when you configure NetBackup storage units. See About OpenStorage storage servers on page 61.

About the OpenStorage plug-in


A software plug-in must reside on every data mover. The plug-in must conform to the Symantec OpenStorage API specification. The vendor exposes the storage capabilities to NetBackup through the plug-in. The plug-in depends on the storage implementation, as follows.

For appliance storage, the appliance vendor provides the plug-in. The vendor should provide information about how to install the plug-in. To determine a disk appliances capabilities, NetBackup uses the plug-in to query the storage appliance. Capabilities can include deduplicated storage, optimized off-host duplication, and so on. See About installing the disk appliance plug-in on page 78. For Nirvanix cloud storage, the plug-in is installed with NetBackup; no separate installation is required.

See About OpenStorage data movers on page 62.

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About OpenStorage disk pools


An OpenStorage disk pool represents the disk storage that is exposed to NetBackup through the OpenStorage API. The storage vendor determines how to expose the storage, as follows:

For disk appliance storage, the vendor may expose the storage as one or more units of storage (that is, disk volumes). For Nirvanix cloud storage, a child account is exposed as a single volume. If the Nirvanix application (that is, storage pool) has more than one child account, each is exposed as a volume. See About Nirvanix child accounts on page 73.

A disk pool can represent one or more volumes. If a disk pool represents more than one volume, NetBackup selects a volume for a backup based on: available capacity and predicted size of the backup. NetBackup tries to write backup data to a single volume. If necessary, backup images span volumes in a disk pool unless the storage implementation does not support volume spanning. Backup images do not span across multiple disk pools. A disk pool is the storage destination of a NetBackup storage unit. Figure 8-1 shows a disk pool configuration in a disk appliance. Figure 8-1 OpenStorage disk appliance disk pools

Disk appliance

DP_Gold_OpenStorage

DP_Silver_OpenStorage

See Configuring an OpenStorage disk pool on page 89.

About spanning volumes on OpenStorage disk pools


One of the capabilities a vendor may expose is the potential for images to span across volumes within a disk pool. NetBackup uses that capability to use the disk storage most effectively. NetBackup breaks up backup images into fragments and stores a fragment or fragments if a full image does not fit into the space available.

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Planning your deployment About OpenStorage optimized duplication methods

In NetBackup, the SpanImages attribute specifies that backup images can span across volumes in a disk pool. The SpanImages attribute applies to both storage servers and disk pools. Two reasons exist that may require you to update NetBackup to use the volume spanning functionality, as follows:

Your OpenStorage vendor plug-in supports volume spanning functionality. Volume spanning is not a trait that the vendor plug-in advertises. Therefore, you must configure the storage server to use it explicitly. You upgrade to a NetBackup release that supports OpenStorage volume spanning from a release that does not support it. NetBackup 6.5.4 and later support OpenStorage volume spanning. If your vendor plug-in supports spanning and you upgrade to 7.0 from a 6.5 to 6.5.3 release, you can configure NetBackup to use volume spanning.

In both cases, set the SpanImages attribute on both the storage server and the disk pool. See Setting OpenStorage storage server attributes on page 107. See Updating an OpenStorage disk pool on page 119.

About OpenStorage optimized duplication methods


If an OpenStorage disk appliance can copy the data on one appliance to another appliance of the same type, NetBackup can use that capability. The following table lists the duplication methods in NetBackup that can use the functionality: Table 8-2 NetBackup OpenStorage optimized duplication methods Description
See About optimized duplication within the same domain on page 64. See About duplicating images to a remote NetBackup master server on page 65.

Optimized duplication method


Within the same NetBackup domain

To a remote NetBackup domain

About optimized duplication within the same domain


With duplication to another disk appliance within the same domain, the disk appliances manage the deduplication. The ability to duplicate backups to storage in other locations, often across various geographical sites, helps facilitate disaster recovery. The following are some benefits of optimized, off-host duplication:

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65

Reduced workload on the NetBackup media servers. More backups can be performed. Faster duplication. Duplication can occur in the background, simultaneously with ongoing backup jobs. Reduced bandwidth. If the appliance supports deduplication, the copy process may send only changed blocks.

The requirements and limitations of optimized duplication with the same domain are as follows:
Optimized duplication requirements The vendor must expose the off-host data movement capability in their plug-in. Both the source and the destination disk pools must be the same OpenStorage vendor type. One or more NetBackup media servers must connect to the source appliance and the destination appliance.

Optimized duplication limitations

If the optimized duplication fails, the job is not retried. To configure NetBackup to do normal duplication if the optimized job fails, add the following entry to the bp.conf file on the NetBackup master server: RESUME_ORIG_DUP_ON_OPT_DUP_FAIL = TRUE

The copy operation uses the maximum fragment size of the source storage unit, not the setting for the destination storage unit. The optimized duplication copies the image fragments as is. For greater efficiency, the duplication does not resize and reshuffle the images into a different set of fragments on the destination storage unit. To confirm the image copy, a media server must have connectivity to the destination appliance. A storage unit group cannot be a destination for optimized duplication. The destination must be a storage unit that represents an OpenStorage appliance of the same type as the source appliance.

See Configuring OpenStorage optimized duplication within the same domain on page 98.

About duplicating images to a remote NetBackup master server


Duplication to a remote master server is a new feature in NetBackup 7.1. With this feature, you can duplicate backup images to a different master server domain.

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Planning your deployment About OpenStorage optimized synthetic backups

The ability to duplicate backups to storage in other NetBackup domains, often across various geographical sites, helps facilitate disaster recovery. Both domains must have OpenStorage configured and working in their domains. The OpenStorage devices must support replication. You must use a storage lifecycle policy to copy the backup images to another NetBackup domain. For information about how to configure duplication to a remote master server, see NetBackup Administrator's Guide, Volume I. For OpenStorage duplication to a remote master server, the source NetBackup domain has no knowledge of the remote domain or its storage server. The relationship between the source and the target domains is configured using the disk appliance vendor's tools. When the appliances are configured properly, NetBackup images on the source disk appliance are replicated automatically to the target disk appliance. That disk appliance uses the OpenStorage API to notify NetBackup that a replication event occurred. NetBackup then imports those images. Caution: If you also use optimized duplication within the same domain, correct configuration is critical. For duplication to a remote master server, a target storage server must not also be a storage server for the source domain. Therefore, choose the target storage server or servers carefully. The following are the requirements for optimized duplication to a remote NetBackup domain:

The vendor must expose the off-host data movement capability in their plug-in. Both the source and the destination disk pools must be the same OpenStorage vendor type.

See About OpenStorage optimized duplication methods on page 64.

About OpenStorage optimized synthetic backups


One of the capabilities a vendor may expose is the disk appliance's potential to construct synthetic backup images. A media server uses messages to instruct the storage server which full and incremental backup images to use when creating the synthetic backup. The storage server constructs (or synthesizes) the backup image directly on the disk storage. In NetBackup, backups created in this way are known as optimized synthetic backups. The OpenStorage optimized synthetic backup method provides the following benefits:

Planning your deployment About OpenStorage direct to tape

67

Faster than a synthetic backup. Regular synthetic backups are constructed on the media server. They are moved across the network from the storage server to the media server and synthesized into one image. The synthetic image is then moved back to the storage server. Requires no data movement across the network. Regular synthetic backups use network traffic. Uses fewer disk resources, depending on the vendor implementation. The storage vendor determines the storage implementation. If the disk appliance uses data deduplication, duplicate data is not created and stored.

In NetBackup, the Optimizedlmage attribute enables optimized synthetic backup. It applies to both storage servers and disk pools. If the original vendor plug-in exposed optimized synthetic backup functionality, the storage server and disk pools inherited that functionality. However, if your OpenStorage vendor updates their plug-in to add optimized synthetic backup functionality, you have to update NetBackup. See Adding OpenStorage functionality to an existing environment on page 102. The following are the requirements for optimized synthetic backups:

The master and the media servers are at NetBackup version 6.5.4 or later. The Enterprise Disk license key is installed on the NetBackup master server. The plug-in from the disk appliance vendor supports the OpenStorage OptimizedImage attribute. The vendor plug-in is installed on each media server that connects to the storage appliance. The target storage unit's disk pool is the same disk pool on which the source images reside.

About OpenStorage direct to tape


OpenStorage direct to tape lets you copy NetBackup backup images directly from a disk appliance to tape. The copy operation does not use NetBackup media server I/O. NetBackup manages the copied images based on retention periods you define. Direct to tape uses the Network Data Management Protocol (NDMP) for the copy operations. Direct to tape requires specific NDMP features and release levels. See About NDMP requirements for OpenStorage direct to tape on page 68.

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Planning your deployment About OpenStorage direct to tape

NetBackup media servers manage the operations. The media servers require the NetBackup for NDMP software and specific NetBackup release levels. See About media server requirements for OpenStorage direct to tape on page 70. How to configure OpenStorage direct to tape is described elsewhere. See Configuring OpenStorage direct to tape on page 100.

About NDMP requirements for OpenStorage direct to tape


If the NDMP requirements are not met, the images are still duplicated. However, the copy operation uses the traditional duplication method of reading the image through the NetBackup media server and writing out to tape. Table 8-3 NDMP functionality Description
NDMP File Service Extension The OpenStorage disk appliance requires an NDMP server that supports the OpenStorage direct to tape specification. The Symantec OpenStorage Partner Program publishes the specification. The direct to tape feature uses a subset of the NDMP File Service Extension (FSE) commands. The host that provides the NDMP FSE functionality can be one of the following entities: The disk appliance storage server. See About OpenStorage storage servers on page 61. An alternative name (that is, interface) for the storage server.

NDMP requirements for OpenStorage direct to tape

A separate host that interacts with the disk appliance. The host must be directly connected to the disk appliance.

NDMP tape server

Direct to tape requires an NDMP tape server for the destination tape library. The NDMP tape server must support NDMP v4 or later. The host that provides the NDMP tape server functionality can be one of the following entities: The same host that provides the NDMP FSE functionality. If one host provides the NDMP FSE and NDMP tape server functionality, the tape library must be attached directly to that host. Data does not travel over the network. See Figure 8-2 on page 69. A host that is embedded in the tape library. Data travels over the network. See Figure 8-3 on page 69. A separate host to which the tape server is directly attached. Data travels over the network. See Figure 8-4 on page 70.

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Table 8-3 NDMP functionality Description


Credentials

NDMP requirements for OpenStorage direct to tape (continued)

The NDMP FSE server must use the same credentials as the OpenStorage storage server. If you use the NDMP FSE server for other purposes, do not configure the credentials differently for that purpose. For example, if you also use the NDMP FSE server as a VTL with NetBackup, use the same credentials when you configure it with NetBackup.

Figure 8-2

OpenStorage server provides all NDMP functionality

Network

The disk appliance provides both the NDMP FSE and NDMP tape server functionality

Tape library directly attached to the OpenStorage server

Figure 8-3

Tape library with embedded NDMP tape server host

Network

The disk appliance provides the NDMP FSE

Tape library with embedded NDMP tape server host

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Planning your deployment About OpenStorage direct to tape

Figure 8-4

Separate host provides NDMP tape server functionality

Network The disk appliance provides the NDMP FSE

NDMP tape server host Tape library directly attached to the NDMP host

About media server requirements for OpenStorage direct to tape


Although NetBackup media servers do not provide I/O, they are used to manage the operations. Table 8-4 Media server function
Read side media server

Media server requirements for OpenStorage direct to tape

Description
In this context, the read side media server does not read or move the backup images. It manages the read side of the NDMP copy operation. The read side media server requires the following:

NetBackup 6.5.4 or later. The NetBackup for NDMP software. Logon credentials for the disk appliance storage server and the NDMP FSE host. If the NDMP FSE host and the storage server host have the same name, NetBackup uses the storage server credentials to logon to the NDMP host. Therefore, you do not have to configure NDMP credentials in NetBackup. This NetBackup behavior means that the credentials you create for the disk appliance storage server and the NDMP FSE host must be the same. If the NDMP FSE hostname is different than the storage server hostname, you must configure logon credentials in NetBackup for that NDMP host.

Write side media server

In this context, the write side media server does not move or write the backup images. It manages the write side of the NDMP copy operation. The write side media server requires the following:

NetBackup 6.5 or later. The NetBackup for NDMP software. Logon credentials for the NDMP tape server host.

Planning your deployment About OpenStorage direct to tape

71

If one host provides both NDMP FSE and NDMP tape server functionality, one media server functions as both the read and write server.

About media server recommendations for OpenStorage direct to tape


To simplify OpenStorage configuration and management, Symantec recommends that you use one set of media servers for all OpenStorage activity. The media servers then can function as either read or write side servers for direct to tape operations. They also can function as data movers for other OpenStorage operations. For each media server in the set, do the following:

Configure logon credentials to the OpenStorage storage server. Install the NetBackup for NDMP software. Configure logon credentials for the NDMP FSE host (if required). Configure logon credentials for the NDMP tape server host.

See About OpenStorage data movers on page 62.

About OpenStorage direct to tape limitations


The following limitations exist:

The destination storage unit must be NDMP. You cannot use a storage unit group. You cannot make multiple copies with one copy operation. Backup images are not multiplexed when written to tape.

About the OpenStorage direct to tape process


The following is an overview of the direct copy to tape process:

NetBackup verifies that the image to be duplicated resides on an OpenStorage device. NetBackup verifies that the disk appliance NDMP host supports the OpenStorage direct to tape specification. NetBackup selects the write side media server, a destination tape drive, and a tape volume. NetBackup selects a media server that has credentials to the NDMP tape server host. The media servers NetBackup considers are listed in the destination storage unit. The write side media server does the following:

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Planning your deployment About Nirvanix cloud storage

Establishes an NDMP session with the NDMP tape server and confirms that it supports the NDMP v4 protocol. Mounts, opens, and positions the tape and then uses NDMP to write a header to the tape. Sets up the NDMP mover interface on the NDMP tape server. It also monitors the progress of the write operation by waiting for any NDMP notifications.

NetBackup selects the read side media server. If the write side media server has credentials for the NDMP FSE host, NetBackup selects it as the read side server. If it does not have credentials, NetBackup selects a media server with credentials to the NDMP FSE host. The read side media server does the following:

Establishes an NDMP session with the NDMP FSE host. Opens the files to be copied. Sets up the NDMP mover interface on the NDMP FSE host. It also monitors the progress of the read operation by waiting for any NDMP notifications.

By means of the NDMP protocol, the backup images on the disk appliance are copied to the tape storage. After the images are copied, the read and write media servers close their connections to their respective NDMP hosts. NetBackup validates the image copies; if valid, NetBackup ends the duplication job with status 0 (success).

About Nirvanix cloud storage


The NetBackup Cloud Storage for Nirvanix OpenStorage plug-in enables Symantec NetBackup to back up data to and restore data from the Nirvanix Storage Delivery Network (SDN). The Nirvanix Storage Delivery Network is a fully-managed, highly secure cloud storage service. The SDN is comprised of standards-based access to Nirvanix storage nodes that are located in the United States, Europe, and Asia. The SDN stores, delivers, and processes storage requests in the best location for your enterprise. See About provisioning the Nirvanix storage space on page 78. See Configuring OpenStorage Nirvanix cloud storage on page 83.

Planning your deployment About Nirvanix cloud storage

73

About the Nirvanix storage pool


Use only one Nirvanix storage pool for each NetBackup backup domain. Storage pool names must be unique among all users of Nirvanix Storage Delivery Network. You must use NetBackup to create the Nirvanix storage pool for your NetBackup backups. The storage pools that NetBackup creates contain a required Symantec Partner Key. If you use the Nirvanix Management Portal to create the storage pool, it does not contain the partner key. Consequently, that storage pool cannot accept data from NetBackup. When you create the storage server and then set its properties, NetBackup creates the storage pool and the first child account. Caution: Never change the name of your Nirvanix storage pool after you configure Nirvanix storage in NetBackup.

Note: Nirvanix uses the terms application and storage pool interchangeably in their documentation.

About Nirvanix child accounts


A Nirvanix child account represents storage on the Nirvanix Storage Delivery Network. In the Nirvanix SDN, a child account is subordinate to a storage pool. NetBackup creates a child account when you configure Nirvanix storage in NetBackup. You can create additional child accounts for your storage pool. Each child account must have a unique name. Note: The password for each child account you create must be the same as its name. For the child account NetBackup creates, NetBackup uses the child account name for the password. A child account is exposed to NetBackup as a single volume through the OpenStorage API. If a Nirvanix storage pool has more than one child account, each is exposed as a volume. You add the volume or volumes to a NetBackup disk pool. See About OpenStorage disk pools on page 63. If you use encryption, each Nirvanix child account you use for NetBackup storage requires a key group and a key record. See About the Nirvanix storage pool on page 73. See About multiple Nirvanix child accounts on page 74.

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Planning your deployment About Nirvanix cloud storage

About multiple Nirvanix child accounts


You can create additional child accounts for your storage pool; to do so, use the Nirvanix Management Portal. One reason to use multiple Nirvanix child accounts is to separate your NetBackup traffic. You can use each child account as the storage for a disk pool. Then, use each disk pool for a different storage unit (for example, five child accounts and five storage units). In each storage unit, you can select a subset of the media servers as the data movers. With this method, you can use each disk pool for a different type of data and balance the backup load among the media servers. Alternatively, you can configure one disk pool and use that disk pool as the storage destination for multiple storage units. And then use the storage units to balance backup load among the media servers. If you have more than one child account, one disk pool can consume all of the child accounts. If you use multiple child accounts, create them before you create the disk pool. If you create them later, adding them to the disk is more difficult. You also can use multiple storage units to prioritize your backup traffic. See About OpenStorage storage unit recommendations on page 94.

About backup image representation in the Nirvanix cloud


The Nirvanix Management Portal shows the NetBackup backup images as follows in the Nirvanix Web Client:

Backup images appear as folders under the Storage Pool/Child Account view. Every write operation for a new image creates a folder under the backup image folder. The folder names use a block image sequence number; for example, 0, 1, 2, and so on. Each backup image folder contains a block_map file. The file maps the block images to individual files. Backup image properties are added as metadata to the folders.

About data encryption for cloud storage


You can encrypt your data before you send it to the cloud. NetBackup uses the NetBackup Key Management Service (KMS) for data encryption for cloud storage. To use encryption, you must first configure the Key Management Service. Enable the KMS on a NetBackup host type that supports KMS. Information about supported systems for KMS is available.

Planning your deployment About Nirvanix cloud storage

75

See the NetBackup Release Notes. Information about how to configure KMS is available. See the NetBackup Security and Encryption Guide. Follow the procedures in that guide to install KMS. Note the following:

KMS requires a Host Master Key passphrase and ID when you create the key management database. The Key Management Service can create a random passphrase for you. KMS requires a Key Protection Key passphrase and ID when you create the key management database. The Key Management Service can create a random passphrase for you. Each Nirvanix child account you use for NetBackup storage requires a key group. KMS requires a name for each key group. Use the following format for the key group name:
nirvanix.com:child_account_name

The first child account name is the same as the name you used for the child account when you set the storage server properties. See Nirvanix storage server properties on page 86. Unlike other storage types, the key group name does not require the ENCR_ prefix.

Each key group you create requires a key record. KMS requires a passphrase when you create the key record. A key record name is optional. If you use a key record name, you can use any name for the key record name. Symantec recommends that you use a descriptive name.

About Nirvanix storage requirements and limitations


The following are the requirements for Nirvanix cloud storage:

A NetBackup OpenStorage Option license key. A Nirvanix Storage Delivery Network master account user name and password. Default node-replication policy settings for your Nirvanix account. New storage pools inherit the default policies, but you can adjust them for each storage pool to fit your business needs. For more information or to verify that your account has the proper settings, contact Nirvanix customer support using the Nirvanix Management Portal. Use NetBackup to create the Nirvanix storage pool that is used for your NetBackup backups. The storage pools that NetBackup creates contain a required Symantec Partner Key. If you use the Nirvanix Management Portal

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Planning your deployment About Nirvanix cloud storage

to create the storage pool, it does not contain the partner key. Consequently, that storage pool cannot accept data from NetBackup.

Unique storage pool names. Storage pool names must be unique among all users of the Nirvanix Storage Delivery Network.

The following OpenStorage capabilities are not supported for Nirvanix storage:

Optimized duplication Optimized synthetics Direct to tape (by NDMP) Disk volume spanning of backup images

Information about supported systems is available. See the NetBackup Release Notes.

Chapter

Provisioning the storage


This chapter includes the following topics:

About provisioning the disk storage appliance About installing the disk appliance plug-in About provisioning the Nirvanix storage space

About provisioning the disk storage appliance


If your storage is provided by a disk appliance, you must install and configure the disk storage appliance in your backup environment. The appliance must be operational before you can use it for backups. Specifically, do the following:

Add the appliance to your environment. Install the vendor software packages on all NetBackup media servers that connect to the appliance. See About installing the disk appliance plug-in on page 78. Perform vendor-specific steps to configure the appliance. Use the vendors processes and procedures to configure the appliance so that it works with your environment. To configure the storage, you may be required to do the following:

Assign the appliance a name. NetBackup uses the name to identify the appliance. Divide the appliance into one or more logical units of space. NetBackup refers to these logical units as disk volumes. NetBackup aggregates the disk volumes into disk pools.

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Provisioning the storage About installing the disk appliance plug-in

Instructions for how to install and configure the appliance are beyond the scope of the NetBackup documentation. For instructions, refer to the vendor documentation.

About installing the disk appliance plug-in


If your storage is a disk appliance, the storage vendors release package includes a plug-in that installs on the NetBackup media servers that connect to the storage server. The NetBackup media servers use the plug-in to communicate with the disk appliance. Install the plug-in on all NetBackup media servers that connect to the appliance. To install the plug-in, follow the vendors installation instructions. The vendors plug-in installation process may also configure the storage server. See Configuring an OpenStorage storage server on page 85. After the initial installation of the plug-in, the storage server and disk pools inherit all of the functionality that the vendor exposes in their plug-in. However, if the vendor updates the plug-in to add new functionality, you must update existing storage servers and disk pools in NetBackup to use that new functionality. See Adding OpenStorage functionality to an existing environment on page 102.

About provisioning the Nirvanix storage space


Before you configure Nirvanix cloud storage, you must have a Nirvanix master account and storage space allocated for your use. Your Nirvanix master account must be enabled for default node-replication policy settings. New storage pools inherit the default policies, but you can adjust them for each storage pool to fit your business needs. For more information or to verify that your account has the proper settings, contact Nirvanix customer support using the Nirvanix Management Portal. For Nirvanix storage, NetBackup must create the application (that is, storage pool) and the child account. The storage pools that NetBackup creates contain a required Symantec Partner Key. If you use the Nirvanix Management Portal to create the storage pool, it does not contain the partner key. Consequently, that storage pool cannot accept data from NetBackup. See About the Nirvanix storage pool on page 73. See About Nirvanix child accounts on page 73.

Chapter

10

Licensing OpenStorage
This chapter includes the following topics:

About the OpenStorage license key Licensing OpenStorage

About the OpenStorage license key


OpenStorage is a feature that is licensed separately from base NetBackup. The NetBackup OpenStorage Disk Option license activates OpenStorage. Enter the license key on the master server and on each media server that connects to the disk appliance. If you use the direct to tape feature, also enter the license key on each NetBackup media server that you use for direct to tape. Those media servers also must have the NetBackup for NDMP software installed. The license key that activates OpenStorage also activates the NDMP software on the media servers. You may have a single license key that activates both NetBackup and the OpenStorage Disk Option. Alternatively, you may have one license key that activates NetBackup and another key that activates the OpenStorage Disk Option. See Licensing OpenStorage on page 80. The license key only enables OpenStorage functionality in NetBackup. You must purchase a storage vendors product and install the storage vendors NetBackup plug-in. If you remove the OpenStorage Disk Option license key or if it expires, the following restrictions apply:

You cannot create the disk pools or the storage units that use the disk pools.

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Licensing OpenStorage Licensing OpenStorage

NetBackup jobs fail that attempt to use the disk pools or the storage units that are based on the disk pools. The error message indicates that the feature is not licensed.

NetBackup does not delete the disk pools or the storage units that are based on the disk pools. You can use them again if you enter a valid license key.

Licensing OpenStorage
No special installation is required for the NetBackup components of OpenStorage. However, you must enter a license key. The following procedure describes how to use the NetBackup Administration Console to enter the license key. Note: Enter the license key on the NetBackup master server and on each media server that connects to the disk appliance. If you use the direct to tape feature, also enter the license key on each NetBackup media server that you use for direct to tape. Those media servers also must have the NetBackup for NDMP software installed. The license key that activates OpenStorage also activates the NDMP software on the media servers. See About OpenStorage direct to tape on page 67. To license OpenStorage

1 2 3 4 5

To add a license to a specific server, select File > Change Server and then select the server. In the NetBackup License Keys dialog box, click New. In the Add a New License Key dialog box, enter the license key and click Add or OK. Click Close. Restart all the NetBackup services and daemons.

Chapter

11

Configuring OpenStorage
This chapter includes the following topics:

Configuring OpenStorage disk appliance storage Configuring OpenStorage Nirvanix cloud storage Creating NetBackup log file directories Configuring an OpenStorage storage server Setting the Nirvanix storage server properties Configuring Nirvanix data mover preferences Configuring an OpenStorage disk pool Configuring an OpenStorage storage unit Configuring OpenStorage optimized duplication behavior Configuring OpenStorage optimized duplication within the same domain Configuring OpenStorage direct to tape Configuring OpenStorage optimized synthetic backups Adding OpenStorage functionality to an existing environment Setting NetBackup configuration options by using bpsetconfig

Configuring OpenStorage disk appliance storage


Table 11-1 describes the tasks to configure NetBackup to use a third-party vendor's disk appliance that conforms to the Symantec OpenStorage API.

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Configuring OpenStorage Configuring OpenStorage disk appliance storage

The configuration tasks for Nirvanix cloud storage are described in a different topic. See Configuring OpenStorage Nirvanix cloud storage on page 83. The NetBackup administrator's guides describe how to configure a base NetBackup environment. See the NetBackup Administrator's Guide for Windows, Volume I. See the NetBackup Administrator's Guide for UNIX and Linux, Volume I. Table 11-1 Step
Step 1

OpenStorage disk appliance configuration tasks Instructions


See Planning your OpenStorage deployment on page 59.

Task
Learn about planning your deployment Enable legacy logging Provision the storage and install the plug-in Configure a storage server Configure a disk pool Configure a storage unit Configure optimized duplication

Step 2 Step 3

See Creating NetBackup log file directories on page 84. See About provisioning the disk storage appliance on page 77. See About installing the disk appliance plug-in on page 78. See Configuring an OpenStorage storage server on page 85. See Configuring an OpenStorage disk pool on page 89. See Configuring an OpenStorage storage unit on page 91. Optimized duplication is optional. See Configuring OpenStorage optimized duplication within the same domain on page 98. See Configuring OpenStorage optimized duplication behavior on page 96.

Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7

Step 8

Configure copy to tape

Copy to tape is optional. See About OpenStorage direct to tape on page 67. See Configuring OpenStorage direct to tape on page 100.

Step 9

Configure optimized synthetic backups

Optimized synthetic backups are optional. See Configuring OpenStorage optimized synthetic backups on page 102.

Step 10

Configure a policy that uses See the NetBackup Administrator's Guide for Windows, Volume I. an OpenStorage storage unit See the NetBackup Administrator's Guide for UNIX and Linux, Volume I.

Configuring OpenStorage Configuring OpenStorage Nirvanix cloud storage

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Configuring OpenStorage Nirvanix cloud storage


This topic provides an overview of how to configure NetBackup to use Nirvanix cloud storage. The configuration tasks for disk appliance storage are described in a different topic. See Configuring OpenStorage disk appliance storage on page 81. Table 11-2 Step
Step 1

Nirvanix initial configuration tasks Instructions


See Planning your OpenStorage deployment on page 59.

Task
Learn about planning your deployment Enable legacy logging Provision the storage Optionally, configure encryption

Step 2 Step 3 Step 4

See Creating NetBackup log file directories on page 84. See About provisioning the Nirvanix storage space on page 78. The NetBackup Key Management Service provides data at rest encryption for your backups. See About data encryption for cloud storage on page 74.

Step 5

Configure a storage server

The Storage server type determines whether or not you use encryption for your data, as follows:

Use nirvanix for data that is not encrypted. Use nirvanix_e to use encryption for the data you send to the cloud. Encryption is optional. See About data encryption for cloud storage on page 74.

Use nirvanix.com for the Storage server name. If your Nirvanix account uses a name other than services.nirvanix.com, enter the fully qualified domain name Nirvanix provided. For example, the server name may be similar to services.storage.nirvanix.com.

Caution: After you configure the storage server, do not continue with the
Disk Pool Configuration Wizard. Before you configure the disk pool, you must set the storage server properties. See Configuring an OpenStorage storage server on page 85. Step 6 Set the storage server properties Configure data mover preferences See Setting the Nirvanix storage server properties on page 85. See Nirvanix storage server properties on page 86. See Configuring Nirvanix data mover preferences on page 89.

Step 7

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Configuring OpenStorage Creating NetBackup log file directories

Table 11-2 Step


Step 8

Nirvanix initial configuration tasks (continued) Instructions


If you want to add additional child accounts to the first disk pool you create, Symantec recommends that you add them at this point of the configuration. NetBackup creates a child account when you run the Disk Pool Configuration Wizard. Therefore, that child account is not listed on the Management Portal when you configure additional child accounts. It becomes listed after you create the disk pool. See About multiple Nirvanix child accounts on page 74. You can add additional child accounts at any time. You can use them in a new disk pool or merge them into an existing disk pool. See Merging OpenStorage disk pools on page 118.

Task
Optionally, configure additional child accounts

Step 9 Step 10 Step 11

Configure a disk pool Configure a storage unit

See Configuring an OpenStorage disk pool on page 89. See Configuring an OpenStorage storage unit on page 91.

Configure a policy that uses See the NetBackup Administrator's Guide for Windows, Volume I. the storage unit you See the NetBackup Administrator's Guide for UNIX and Linux, Volume I. configured

Creating NetBackup log file directories


Before you configure OpenStorage, create the directories into which NetBackup commands write log files. Create the directories on the master server and on each media server that you use for OpenStorage. More information about NetBackup logging is available. See the NetBackup Troubleshooting Guide. See About OpenStorage log files on page 125. To create log directories for NetBackup commands

Depending on the operating system, run one of the following scripts: UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/logs/mklogdir Windows:install_path\NetBackup\logs\mklogdir.bat

Configuring OpenStorage Configuring an OpenStorage storage server

85

To create the tpconfig command log directory

Depending on the operating system, create the debug directory and the tpcommand directory (by default, the debug directory and the tpcommand directory do not exist). After you create the directories, the pathnames are as follows: UNIX: /usr/openv/volmgr/debug/tpcommand Windows: install_path\Volmgr\debug\tpcommand

Configuring an OpenStorage storage server


Configure in this context means to add the storage host to NetBackup as a storage server. When you configure a storage server, you also configure the media servers that function as data movers. If the storage host does not require logon credentials, you must enter dummy credentials so that NetBackup configures the media servers as data movers. To configure an OpenStorage storage server in NetBackup

1 2 3

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, click Media and Device Management. In the right pane, select Configure Disk Storage Servers. Follow the wizard screens to configure a storage server.

Setting the Nirvanix storage server properties


For Nirvanix storage, you must use the following procedure to set the storage server properties during configuration. Set the properties after you configure the storage server. See Nirvanix storage server properties on page 86. To change storage server properties

1 2 3

In the NetBackup Administration Console, expand Media and Device Management > Credentials > Storage Server Select the storage server. On the Edit menu, select Change.

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Configuring OpenStorage Setting the Nirvanix storage server properties

In the Change Storage Server dialog box, select the Properties tab.

5 6

To change a value, select it in the Value column and then change the value. When finished changing values, click OK. NetBackup creates the Nirvanix application (that is, storage pool). NetBackup creates the child account when you configure a disk pool.

Nirvanix storage server properties


After you create the storage server for Nirvanix, you must enter the properties for your Nirvanix storage. Nirvanix may provide values for some of the properties. Depending on your configuration, not all of the properties may appear. The following are the properties:

Configuring OpenStorage Setting the Nirvanix storage server properties

87

STORAGE_POOL_NAME

The name of the Nirvanix storage pool. When you set the Nirvanix storage server properties, enter the name to use for the storage pool. NetBackup uses this name when it creates the storage pool in the Nirvanix cloud. You determine the name of the storage pool. Storage pool names must be unique among all users of Nirvanix Storage Directory Network not only unique within your organizations storage in the Nirvanix SDN. Symantec recommends that you use a naming convention that is recognizable. The storage pool name must be 50 or fewer characters. The following are invalid characters for the storage pool nbu_name: "\\/:?|*\"<>[] ";

Caution: Never change the name of your Nirvanix storage pool after you configure
Nirvanix storage in NetBackup. See About the Nirvanix storage pool on page 73. CHILD_ACCOUNT_NAME The name of Nirvanix of child account. When you set the Nirvanix storage server properties, enter the name to use for the child account of the storage pool. NetBackup uses this name when it creates the child account. You determine the name of the child account. Symantec recommends that you use a naming convention that is recognizable. NetBackup uses the child account name for the password for the account. The child account name must be 100 or fewer characters. The following are invalid characters for the child account name: "\\/:?|*\"<>[]~`'!@%^&()+={};' " See About Nirvanix child accounts on page 73. CHILD_ACCOUNT_SIZE The capacity of the storage of your child account. You can enter the size in MB, GB, or TB; for example, 50TB. 0 (zero) means the size is limited only by the amount of storage Nirvanix has available. USE_SSL Whether to use Secure Sockets Layer encryption for the control APIs. The default is YES, use SSL. Whether to use Secure Sockets Layer encryption for read and write operations to the Nirvanix storage. The default is YES, use SSL. The size of the buffer to use for write operations. The default is 10 MBs. To disable the use of the buffer, set this value to 0 (zero). BUFFER_NUM The number of buffers to use for write operations. The default is 1, fixed.

USE_SSL_RW

BUFFER_SIZE

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Configuring OpenStorage Setting the Nirvanix storage server properties

LOG_CURL

Whether to log cURL activity. The default is 0, do not log activity. NetBackup uses the cURL library to manage data transfer to the Nirvanix cloud.

CURL_CONNECT_TIMEOUT The maximum time in seconds that the media server tries to connect to the Nirvanix storage server. This only limits the connection phase, not the session time. The default is 300 seconds (five minutes). The media server attempts to connect up to three times. To disable this timeout, set the value to 0 (zero). NetBackup uses the cURL library to manage data transfer to the Nirvanix cloud. CURL_TIMEOUT The maximum time in seconds to allow for the completion of a data operation. If the operation does not complete in the specified time, the operation fails. The default is 900 seconds (15 minutes). The media server attempts the operation up to three times. To disable this timeout, set the value to 0 (zero). NetBackup uses the cURL library to manage data transfer to the Nirvanix cloud. RESTRICT_IP Determines if multiple hosts can upload and download using the same upload-download token, as follows:

If RESTRICT_IP is set to YES, only one host can use an upload-download token.

By default, RESTRICT_IP is set to YES. This setting prevents any intrusions into the session by any other host. If RESTRICT_IP is set to NO, multiple host addresses can upload and download using the same token. If the host's IP address changes, this setting allows the host to continue with the session. A host IP address my change because of network address translation (NAT) or proxies. Therefore, set RESTRICT_IP to NO for such environments. PROXY_TYPE If firewalls prevent access to the nirvanix.comdomain on ports 80 (HTTP) or 443 (HTTPS), you can use a proxy server. Valid values are either HTTP or SOCKS. If you do not use a proxy server, leave this field blank. The IP address of the proxy server. If you do not use a proxy server, leave this field blank. If you use a proxy server, the port number to use to connect to the proxy server. If you do not use a proxy server, leave this field blank. The NetBackup server that hosts the KMS service. When you set the Nirvanix storage server properties, enter the name of the KMS server host. By default, this field contains the NetBackup master server name. KMS_VERSION The version of the NetBackup Key Management Service.

PROXY_IP

PROXY_PORT

KMS_SERVER

Configuring OpenStorage Configuring Nirvanix data mover preferences

89

CRYPT_VERSION CRYPT_LOG_VERBOSE

The encryption version. A switch to set the logging level of the encryption activities. The value is either YES for logging or NO for no logging.

Configuring Nirvanix data mover preferences


When you configure a storage server for Nirvanix cloud storage, NetBackup creates the following files on the media server that queries the storage server:

libstspinirvanix.conf libstspinirvanix.pref libstspiencrypt.conf (only if your storage server type is nirvanix_e)

You must copy these files to any additional media servers that you configured as data movers. To configure Nirvanix data mover preferences

For each data mover media server, copy the aforementioned files to the following directory (depending on operating system): UNIX: /usr/openv/lib/ost-plugins Windows: install_path/NetBackup/bin/ost-plugins

Configuring an OpenStorage disk pool


When you create a disk pool, you specify the following:

The storage server. For OpenStorage, the disk appliance is the storage server. The disk volume or volumess to include in the pool. The disk pool properties. See OpenStorage disk pool properties on page 90.

Symantec recommends that disk volume and disk pool names be unique across your enterprise. See Configuring an OpenStorage storage server on page 85.

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Configuring OpenStorage Configuring an OpenStorage disk pool

To configure an OpenStorage disk pool

1 2

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, select Media and Device Management. From the list of wizards in the right pane, click Configure Disk Pool and follow the wizard instructions.

OpenStorage disk pool properties


The OpenStorage disk pool properties are as follows: Table 11-3 Property
Name Storage server

OpenStorage disk pool properties

Description
The disk pool name. The storage server name. For disk appliance storage, the storage server is the disk appliance host. For Nirvanix cloud storage, the storage server is nirvanix.com.

Disk volumes Total size Total raw size

For disk appliance storage, the disk volumes that comprise the disk pool. The total amount of space available in the disk pool. The total raw, unformatted size of the storage in the disk pool. The storage host may or may not expose the raw size of the storage.

Comment High water mark

A comment that is associated with the disk pool. The High water mark setting is a threshold that triggers the following actions: When an individual volume in the disk pool reaches the High water mark, NetBackup considers the volume full. NetBackupchooses a different volume in the disk pool to write backup images to. When all volumes in the disk pool reach the High water mark, the disk pool is considered full. NetBackup fails any backup jobs that are assigned to a storage unit in which the disk pool is full. NetBackup also does not assign new jobs to a storage unit in which the disk pool is full. NetBackup begins image cleanup when a volume reaches the High water mark; image cleanup expires the images that are no longer valid. For a disk pool that is full, NetBackup again assigns jobs to the storage unit when image cleanup reduces any disk volume's capacity to less than the High water mark.

The default is 98%.

Configuring OpenStorage Configuring an OpenStorage storage unit

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Table 11-3 Property


Low water mark

OpenStorage disk pool properties (continued)

Description
The Low water mark is a threshold at which NetBackup stops image cleanup. TheLow water mark setting cannot be greater than or equal to the High water mark setting. The default is 80%.

Limit I/O streams

Select to limit the number of read and write streams (that is, jobs) for each volume in the disk pool. A job may read backup images or write backup images. By default, there is no limit. When the limit is reached, NetBackup chooses another volume for write operations, if available. If not available, NetBackup queues jobs until a volume is available. Too many streams may degrade performance because of disk thrashing. Disk thrashing is excessive swapping of data between RAM and a hard disk drive. Fewer streams can improve throughput, which may increase the number of jobs that complete in a specific time period.

per volume

Select or enter the number of read and write streams to allow per volume. Many factors affect the optimal number of streams. Factors include but are not limited to disk speed, CPU speed, and the amount of memory.

Configuring an OpenStorage storage unit


Create one or more storage units that reference the disk pool. The Disk Pool Configuration Wizard lets you create a storage unit; therefore, you may have created a storage unit when you created a disk pool. To determine if storage units exist for the disk pool, see the NetBackup Management > Storage > Storage Units window of the NetBackup Administration Console. See About OpenStorage storage unit recommendations on page 94.

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Configuring OpenStorage Configuring an OpenStorage storage unit

To create a storage unit from the Actions menu

1 2

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, select NetBackup Management > Storage > Storage Units. Click Actions > New > Storage Unit.

3 4

Complete the fields in the New Storage Unit dialog box. Click OK.

OpenStorage storage unit properties


The configuration options for a OpenStorage disk pool storage unit are as follows:

Configuring OpenStorage Configuring an OpenStorage storage unit

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Table 11-4 Property Description

OpenStorage storage unit properties

Storage unit name Provide a unique name for the new storage unit. The name can describe the type of storage. The storage unit name is the name used to specify a storage unit for policies and schedules. The storage unit name cannot be changed after creation. Storage unit type Select Disk as the storage unit type. Disk type Select OpenStorage (VendorName) for the disk type. VendorName is a string provided by the storage vendor that identifies the vendor or storage. Select the disk pool that contains the storage for this storage unit. All disk pools of the specified Disk type appear in the Disk pool list. If no disk pools are configured, no disk pools appear in the list. Media server Specify the NetBackup media servers that can move data to the storage server for this storage unit. (For OpenStorage, NetBackup media servers function as data movers.) Only the media servers that are configured as data movers for the OpenStorage implementation appear in the media server list. If a media server does not appear in the list, verify that the software plug-in is installed and that logon credentials are created. Specify the media server or servers as follows: To allow any media server in the media server list to move data to the storage server, check Use Any Available Media Server. If you configure more media server data movers in the future, you do not have to update the storage unit. After you install the plug-in and configure the credentials, NetBackup automatically uses the media servers for the backups that are sent to the storage unit. To restrict the media servers that can move data to the storage server, check Only Use The Following Media Servers. Then select the media servers that are allowed to move the data.

Disk pool

Any media server in the list can receive data from the storage server; it does not have to be selected. A media server receives data for restore jobs and for storage monitoring purposes. NetBackup selects the media server to use when the policy runs. Maximum fragment size Specify the largest fragment size that NetBackup can create to store backups. The default maximum fragment size for a disk storage unit is 524,288 megabytes. To specify a maximum fragment size other than the default, enter a value from 20 megabytes to 524,288 megabytes. Backups to disk are usually fragmented to ensure that the backup does not exceed the maximum size that the file system allows. If an error occurs in a backup, the entire backup is discarded. The backup restarts from the beginning, not from the fragment where the error occurred. (An exception is for backups for which checkpoint and restart are enabled. In that case, fragments before and up to the last checkpoint are retained; the fragments after the last checkpoint are discarded.)

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Configuring OpenStorage Configuring an OpenStorage storage unit

Table 11-4 Property


Maximum concurrent jobs

OpenStorage storage unit properties (continued)

Description
Specify the maximum number of jobs that NetBackup can send to a disk storage unit at one time. (Default: one job. The job count can range from 0 to 256.) NetBackup queues jobs until the storage unit is available. If three backup jobs are ready to be sent to the storage unit and Maximum concurrent jobs is set to two, NetBackup starts the first two jobs. NetBackup queues the third job. If a job contains multiple copies, each copy applies toward the Maximum concurrent jobs count. Maximum concurrent jobs controls the traffic for backup and duplication jobs but not restore jobs. The count applies to all servers in the storage unit, not per server. If you select multiple media servers in the storage unit and 1 for Maximum concurrent jobs, only one job runs at a time. The number to enter depends on the available disk space and the server's ability to run multiple backup processes.

Warning: A Maximum concurrent jobs setting of 0 disables the storage unit.

About OpenStorage storage unit recommendations


You can use storage unit properties to control how NetBackup moves backup and duplication data. For example, you can accomplish the following objectives by using the storage unit Media server setting:

Configure a favorable client-to-server ratio for important clients. See About configuring a favorable client-to-server ratio with OpenStorage on page 94. Separate SAN client traffic from other traffic. See About separating OpenStorage SAN client traffic on page 95.

You also can use the storage unit Maximum concurrent jobs setting to control the backup or the duplication traffic that is sent to the media servers. See About throttling OpenStorage traffic to the media servers on page 96.

About configuring a favorable client-to-server ratio with OpenStorage


For a favorable client-to-server ratio, you can use one disk pool and configure multiple storage units to separate your backup traffic. Because all storage units use the same disk pool, you do not have to partition the storage.

Configuring OpenStorage Configuring an OpenStorage storage unit

95

For example, assume that you have 100 important clients, 500 regular clients, and four media servers. You can use two media servers to back up your most important clients and two media servers to back up your regular clients. The following example describes how to configure a favorable client-to-server ratio:

Configure the media servers for OpenStorage and configure the storage. Configure a disk pool. Configure a storage unit for your most important clients (such as STU-GOLD). Select the disk pool. Select Only use the following media servers. Select two media servers to use for your important backups. Configure a backup policy for the 100 important clients and select the STU-GOLD storage unit. The media servers that are specified in the storage unit move the client data to the storage server. Configure another storage unit (such as STU-SILVER). Select the same disk pool. Select Only use the following media servers. Select the other two media servers. Configure a backup policy for the 500 regular clients and select the STU-SILVER storage unit. The media servers that are specified in the storage unit move the client data to the storage server.

Backup traffic is routed to the wanted data movers by the storage unit settings. Note: NetBackup uses storage units for media server selection for write activity (backups and duplications) only. For restores, NetBackup chooses among all media servers that have logon credentials to the storage server.

About separating OpenStorage SAN client traffic


If you use the NetBackup Fibre Transport option, you can use one disk pool and multiple storage units to manage backup traffic. You can separate the NetBackup SAN client traffic from the regular NetBackup client traffic. Because all storage units use the same disk pool, you do not have to partition the storage. The following example describes how to separate SAN client traffic:

Configure the FT media servers and the regular media servers for OpenStorage and configure the storage. Configure a disk pool.

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Configuring OpenStorage Configuring OpenStorage optimized duplication behavior

Define a storage unit (such as STU-FT). Select the disk pool. Select Only use the following media servers. Select the FT media servers that connect to the SAN clients. Create a backup policy for the SAN clients and select the STU-FT storage unit. Define another storage unit (such as STU-LAN). Select the same disk pool. Select Only use the following media servers. Select the media servers with LAN connectivity to the regular clients. Create a backup policy for the regular clients and select the STU-LAN storage unit.

Backup traffic is routed to the wanted data movers by the storage unit settings. This scenario assumes that the SAN clients are a subset of your client base. It also assumes that the media servers with LAN connectivity to the regular clients also have SAN connectivity to the storage. Note: NetBackup uses storage units for media server selection for write activity (backups and duplications) only. For restores, NetBackup chooses among all media servers that have logon credentials to the storage server.

About throttling OpenStorage traffic to the media servers


You can use the Maximum concurrent jobs settings on disk pool storage units to throttle the traffic to the media servers. Effectively, this setting also directs higher loads to specific media servers when you use multiple storage units for the same disk pool. A higher number of concurrent jobs means that the disk can be busier than if the number is lower. For example, two storage units use the same set of media servers. One of the storage units (STU-GOLD) has a higher Maximum concurrent jobs setting than the other (STU-SILVER). More client backups occur for the storage unit with the higher Maximum concurrent jobs setting.

Configuring OpenStorage optimized duplication behavior


You can configure the following optimized duplication behaviors:

Configuring OpenStorage Configuring OpenStorage optimized duplication behavior

97

Optimized duplication failover

The default NetBackup behavior is to use optimized duplication between the source and the target storage systems that support optimized duplication. If an optimized duplication job fails, NetBackup does not run the job again. You can configure NetBackup to use normal duplication if optimized duplication fails. The default is three attempts. You can specify the number of times NetBackup retries an optimized deduplication job before it fails the jobs. If the optimized deduplication job is configured in a storage lifecycle policy and the job fails, NetBackup retries the job three times. If the job is unsuccessful after three tries, NetBackup waits two hours and then retries the job. You can change the wait period.

Number of optimized duplication attempts

Storage lifecycle policy retry wait period

Caution: These settings affect all optimized duplication jobs; they are not limited to optimized duplication to a Media Server Deduplication Pool or a PureDisk Deduplication Pool. You can configure several optimized duplication copy behaviors, as follows:

Optimized duplication failover. By default, if an optimized duplication job fails, NetBackup does not run the job again. Number of optimized duplication attempts. You can specify the number of times NetBackup retries an optimized duplication job before it fails the jobs. Storage lifecycle policy retries. If the optimized duplication job is configured in a storage lifecycle policy, NetBackup retries the job three times.

Caution: These settings affect all optimized duplication jobs, not only OpenStorage optimized duplication jobs.

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Configuring OpenStorage Configuring OpenStorage optimized duplication within the same domain

To configure optimized duplication failover

On the master server, add the following configuration option:


RESUME_ORIG_DUP_ON_OPT_DUP_FAIL = TRUE

See Setting NetBackup configuration options by using bpsetconfig on page 103. Alternatively on UNIX systems, add the entry to the bp.conf file on the NetBackup master server. To configure the number of duplication attempts

On the master server, create a file named OPT_DUP_BUSY_RETRY_LIMIT that contains an integer the specifies the number of times to retry the job before NetBackup fails the job. The file must reside in the following directory (depending on the operating system):

UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/db/config Windows: install_path\NetBackup\db\config.

To configure the storage lifecycle policy wait period

Change the wait period for retries by adding an IMAGE_EXTENDED_RETRY_PERIOD_IN_HOURS entry to the NetBackup LIFECYCLE_PARAMETERS file. The default for this value is two hours. For example, the following entry configures NetBackup to wait four hours before NetBackup tries the job again:
IMAGE_EXTENDED_RETRY_PERIOD_IN_HOURS 4

The LIFECYCLE_PARAMETERS file resides in the following directories:


UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/db/config Windows: install_path\NetBackup\db\config.

Configuring OpenStorage optimized duplication within the same domain


You can configure optimized duplication from one disk appliance to another. A NetBackup media server initiates and manages the duplication between appliances. After the duplication completes, the media server connects to the destination appliance to verify the image copy. NetBackup maintains records of the image copies and their locations in the NetBackup catalog.

Configuring OpenStorage Configuring OpenStorage optimized duplication within the same domain

99

See About optimized duplication within the same domain on page 64. To configure optimized duplication

Ensure that all requirements are met. See About optimized duplication within the same domain on page 64.

Configure optimized duplication behaviors. See Configuring OpenStorage optimized duplication behavior on page 96. See About throttling OpenStorage traffic to the media servers on page 96.

Select the media server in common. In the storage unit for the destination disk pool, select Only use the following media servers. Then, select the media server or media servers that are common to both the source storage server and the destination storage server. If you select more than one, NetBackup balances the optimized copy job load among them.

Use one of the following methods to duplicate backup images:

A storage lifecycle policy. The storage lifecycle policy manages both the backup jobs and the duplication jobs. When you configure the storage lifecycle policy, do the following:

For the Backup destination, select the Storage unit that is the target of your backups. The disk appliance for the storage unit contains the primary backup copies; they are the source images for the duplication operation.

For the Duplication destination, select the Storage unit for the disk pool on another appliance. See the NetBackup Administrators Guide, Volume I.

A Vault policy. For Vault, you must configure a Vault profile and a Vault policy.

On the Vault Profile dialog box Choose Backups tab, choose the backup images in the source disk pool. On the Vault Profile dialog box Duplication tab, select the destination storage unit in the Destination Storage unit field. Configure a Vault policy to schedule the duplication jobs. A Vault policy is a NetBackup policy that is configured to run Vault jobs. Select the profile you created for the OpenStorage duplication job.

See the NetBackup Vault Administrators Guide.

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Configuring OpenStorage Configuring OpenStorage direct to tape

The bpduplicate command. Use the NetBackup bpduplicate command to copy images manually. Duplicate from the source storage to the destination storage. See NetBackup Commands Reference Guide.

You can apply separate retention periods to each copy. For example, you can retain the source image for three weeks and the destination copy for a longer period of time. If you delete the source image, the copy is not deleted.

Configuring OpenStorage direct to tape


To configure OpenStorage direct to tape, you must perform multiple procedures on multiple computers. These procedures are in addition to the procedures to install and configure the disk appliance and OpenStorage. See About OpenStorage direct to tape on page 67. Table 11-5 Step
Step 1

OpenStorage direct to tape configuration overview Description

Action

Install and configure the See the NetBackup for NDMP Administrators Guide. NDMP tape server hosts and storage devices Reconfigure the storage server If you upgraded a disk appliance so it supports the Symantec OpenStorage copy to tape specification, you must reconfigure the storage server in NetBackup. See Configuring an OpenStorage storage server on page 85.

Step 2

Step 3

Install the NetBackup for NDMP software

Install the NetBackup for NDMP software on each media server you use for direct to tape. See About media server requirements for OpenStorage direct to tape on page 70. See About media server recommendations for OpenStorage direct to tape on page 71. See the NetBackup for NDMP Administrators Guide. You must enter a license key that activates NDMP on those media servers. The license key that activates OpenStorage also activates NetBackup for NDMP.

Step 4

Configure NDMP host credentials

Configure logon credentials in NetBackup for the NDMP hosts. See About NDMP requirements for OpenStorage direct to tape on page 68. See the NetBackup for NDMP Administrators Guide.

Configuring OpenStorage Configuring OpenStorage direct to tape

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Table 11-5 Step


Step 5

OpenStorage direct to tape configuration overview (continued) Description


The storage units must be configured as NDMP storage units, and they must use the NDMP tape storage as their destination. You do not have to include the write side media servers explicitly in the storage unit. If you configure Any Available, when the job runs NetBackup selects a media server that has the logon credentials for the NDMP tape server. See the NetBackup Administrator's Guide for UNIX and Linux, Volume I or the NetBackup Administrator's Guide for Windows, Volume I.

Action
Configure the NetBackup storage units

Step 6

Configure the copy to tape process

First ensure that all requirements are met. See About NDMP requirements for OpenStorage direct to tape on page 68. Then, use one of the following methods for direct to tape: Create a storage lifecycle policy to create the backup and to duplicate the backup images automatically. For the Backup destination Storage unit, select the storage unit for the disk pool on one appliance. For the Duplication destination Storage unit, select the NDMP storage unit. See the NetBackup Administrators Guide for UNIX and Linux, Volume I or the NetBackup Administrator's Guide for Windows, Volume I. Create a Vault policy to copy images automatically. On the Profile dialog box Choose Backups tab, choose the backup images in the source disk pool on one appliance. For the Destination Storage unit on the Duplication tab, select the NDMP storage unit. See the NetBackup Vault Administrators Guide. Use the Duplicate option in the Catalog node of the NetBackup Administration Console. Select the NDMP storage unit as the destination for the duplication. Use the Storage unit field in the Setup Duplication Variables dialog box. See the NetBackup Administrators Guide for UNIX and Linux, Volume I or the NetBackup Administrator's Guide for Windows, Volume I. Use the NetBackup bpduplicate command to duplicate images on the disk appliance to an NDMP storage unit. See NetBackup Commands Reference Guide..

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Configuring OpenStorage Configuring OpenStorage optimized synthetic backups

Configuring OpenStorage optimized synthetic backups


Use the following procedure to configure optimized synthetic backups. If NetBackup cannot produce the optimized synthetic backup, NetBackup creates the more data-movement intensive synthetic backup. See About OpenStorage optimized synthetic backups on page 66. To configure optimized synthetic backup

1 2

Configure a Standard or MS-Windows backup policy. Select the Synthetic backup attribute on the Schedule Attribute tab.

Adding OpenStorage functionality to an existing environment


Your OpenStorage vendor may update their plug-in to expose more functionality on their disk appliance. For example, the vendor may update their plug-in to support optimized synthetic backups. If the vendor provides an updated plug-in, you must complete the following procedures to integrate the new functionality into NetBackup. Table 11-6 Task Overview of how to add OpenStorage functionality Procedure

Install the updated plug-in See About installing the disk appliance plug-in on page 78. Update the storage server You must update the storage server so NetBackup can use the new functionality. See Updating an OpenStorage storage server on page 108. Update existing disk pools You also must update existing disk pools so they recognize the new functionality. See Updating an OpenStorage disk pool on page 119. Any disk pools that you create after you update the vendor plug-in and storage server inherit the new functionality.

Configuring OpenStorage Setting NetBackup configuration options by using bpsetconfig

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Setting NetBackup configuration options by using bpsetconfig


Symantec recommends that you use the NetBackup Administration Console Host Properties to configure NetBackup. However, some configuration options cannot be set by using the Administration Console. You can set those configuration options by using the bpsetconfig command. Alternatively, on UNIX systems you can set configuration options in the bp.conf file. See the NetBackup Administrator's Guide for UNIX and Linux, Volume I. To set configuration options by using the bpsetconfig command

On the host on which you want to set configuration options, write the current configuration to a file by running the following command: UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd/bpgetconfig h hostname
> file.txt

Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd\bpgetconfig h
hostname > file.txt

Edit and save the file. You can change the values of the options that are in the file. You can add option and value pairs. Ensure that you understand the values that are allowed and the format of any new options that you add.

Upload the configuration by running the following command: UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd/bpsetconfig h hostname
file.txt

Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd\bpsetconfig h
hostname file.txt

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Configuring OpenStorage Setting NetBackup configuration options by using bpsetconfig

Chapter

12

Managing OpenStorage
This chapter includes the following topics:

Managing OpenStorage storage servers Managing OpenStorage server credentials Managing OpenStorage data movers Managing OpenStorage disk pools Monitoring OpenStorage storage capacity and usage Viewing OpenStorage disk reports About catalog backups to OpenStorage devices About restoring from backup copies

Managing OpenStorage storage servers


After you configure OpenStorage, you can perform various tasks to manage storage servers. See Changing OpenStorage storage server properties on page 106. See Deleting an OpenStorage storage server on page 106. See Determining OpenStorage storage server state on page 106. See Removing OpenStorage storage server attributes on page 107. See Setting OpenStorage storage server attributes on page 107. See Updating an OpenStorage storage server on page 108. See Viewing OpenStorage storage servers on page 109.

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Managing OpenStorage Managing OpenStorage storage servers

Changing OpenStorage storage server properties


You can change the OpenStorage storage server properties. The storage vendor exposes the properties that you can change. See About OpenStorage storage servers on page 61. To change deduplication storage server properties

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

In the NetBackup Administration Console, expand Media and Device Management > Credentials > Storage Server Select the storage server. On the Edit menu, select Change. In the Change Storage Server dialog box, select the Properties tab. To change a value, select it in the Value column and then change the value. When finished changing values, click OK. Click OK.

Deleting an OpenStorage storage server


If you delete a storage server, NetBackup removes it from your configuration. If a disk pool is configured from the disk volumes that the storage server manages, you cannot delete the storage server. Warning: Do not delete a storage server if its storage contains unexpired NetBackup images; if you do, data loss may occur. To delete an OpenStorage storage server

1 2 3

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, expand Media and Device Management > Credentials > Storage On the Edit menu, select Delete. Click Yes in the confirmation dialog box.

Determining OpenStorage storage server state


Use the NetBackup nbdevquery command to determine the state of an OpenStorage storage server. To determine OpenStorage storage server status

Run the following command:

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107

nbdevquery -liststs -stype server_type -storage_server server_name -U

The following is the path to the nbdevconfig command:


UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd

For the server_type, the storage vendor provides the string that identifies the server type. The State field shows either UP or DOWN.

Setting OpenStorage storage server attributes


You may have to set or clear attributes on your storage server. Usually, you set attributes to add or remove functionality. If you set attributes on the storage server, you also must set the same attributes on the existing disk pools. Any disk pools that you create after you set attributes on the storage server inherit the new functionality. To set an OpenStorage storage server attribute

Run the following command on the NetBackup master server or on a storage server:
nbdevconfig -changests -storage_server hostname -stype server_type -setattribute attribute

For hostname, use the name of the disk appliance host. For server_type, the OpenStorage vendor provides the string that identifies their storage type. For attribute, use the name of the attribute you want to set. The following is the path to the nbdevconfig command:

UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd

Removing OpenStorage storage server attributes


You may have to remove attributes from your storage server. Usually, you remove attributes to change or remove functionality. If you remove attributes on the storage server, you also must remove the same attributes on the existing disk pools. Any disk pools that you create after you update the storage server inherit the storage server functionality.

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Managing OpenStorage Managing OpenStorage storage servers

To remove an OpenStorage storage server attribute

Run the following command on the NetBackup master server or on a storage server:
nbdevconfig -changests -storage_server hostname -stype server_type -clearattribute attribute

For hostname, use the name of the disk appliance host. For server_type, the OpenStorage vendor provides the string that identifies their storage type. For attribute, use the name of the attribute you want to clear. The following is the path to the nbdevconfig command:

UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd

Updating an OpenStorage storage server


You may have to update your storage server. For example, if your vendor provides an updated plug-in, you must update the storage server so NetBackup can read the appliance capabilities. The vendor may provide an updated plug-in to add or change functionality. If you update the storage server, you also must update existing disk pools so they use the new functionality. Any disk pools that you create after you update the storage server inherit the new functionality. See Updating an OpenStorage disk pool on page 119. To update an OpenStorage storage server in NetBackup

Run the following command on the master server or on one of the media servers:
nbdevconfig -updatests -storage_server storage_server -stypeserver_type -media_server media_server

The following is the path to the nbdevconfig command:


UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd

See the following descriptions of the options that require arguments:


-storage_server storage_server The name of the disk appliance.

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109

-stype server_type The storage vendor provides the string that identifies the server type. -media_server media_server A NetBackup media server that connects to the storage server. The media server queries the storage server for its capabilities. The vendor plug-in must be installed on the media server. If the plug-in resides on more than one media server, you can specify any one of them.

Viewing OpenStorage storage servers


Use the NetBackup Administration Console to view a list of storage servers already configured. To view OpenStorage storage servers

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, expand Media and Device Management > Credentials > Storage Server. The right All Storage Servers pane shows all configured storage servers. OpenStorage storage servers show the vendor string that identifies the storage type in the Disk Type column.

Managing OpenStorage server credentials


You can perform various tasks to manage existing credentials in NetBackup. See Adding OpenStorage server credentials on page 109. See Changing OpenStorage server credentials on page 110. See Deleting the OpenStorage server credentials of a data mover on page 110. See Determining if OpenStorage server credentials exist on page 111.

Adding OpenStorage server credentials


You can add a media server as a data mover to your OpenStorage configuration. If you do, you must add the storage server credentials to that media server. See Adding an OpenStorage data mover on page 111. See About OpenStorage server credentials on page 61.

110

Managing OpenStorage Managing OpenStorage server credentials

To add OpenStorage server credentials

1 2 3 4 5 6

In the NetBackup Administration Console, expand Media and Device Management > Credentials > Storage Server. Select the storage server, then select Edit > Change. Select the Media Servers tab. Select the media server you want to add. Also select the media servers that are configured as data movers already. Enter the credentials. Click Set and then click OK.

Changing OpenStorage server credentials


You can change the credentials that the media servers that function as data movers use. The credentials are for the storage server. See About OpenStorage server credentials on page 61. To change OpenStorage server credentials

1 2 3 4 5 6

In the NetBackup Administration Console, expand Media and Device Management > Credentials > Storage Server. Select the storage server, then select Edit > Change. Select the Media Servers tab. Select the media servers that function as data movers. Change the credentials. Click Set and then click OK.

Deleting the OpenStorage server credentials of a data mover


If you remove a media server as a data mover, you must delete the storage server credentials of the media server. If the host failed and is unavailable, you can use the tpconfig device configuration utility in menu mode to delete the credentials. However, you must run the tpconfig utility on a UNIX or Linux NetBackup server. For procedures, see the NetBackup Administrators Guide for UNIX and Linux, Volume II.

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To delete OpenStorage server credentials of a data mover

1 2 3 4 5

In the NetBackup Administration Console, expand Media and Device Management > Credentials > Storage Server. Select the storage server, then select Edit > Change. Select the Media Servers tab. Select the media server for which you want to delete the credentials. Click Remove and then click OK.

Determining if OpenStorage server credentials exist


You can determine which media servers have credentials configured for the atorage server. To determine if the storage server credentials are configured already

1 2 3

In the NetBackup Administration Console, expand Media and Device Management > Credentials > Storage Server. Select the storage server, then select Edit > Change. Select the Media Servers tab. The media servers for which credentials are configured are identified in the Media Servers Status column.

Managing OpenStorage data movers


In OpenStorage, NetBackup media servers function as the data movers. A data mover is an entity that moves data between the primary storage (the NetBackup client) and the storage server. For an existing OpenStorage environment in NetBackup, you can do the following:

Add a media server as a data mover. See Adding an OpenStorage data mover on page 111. To add an OpenStorage data mover, see the procedure later in this section. Retire a media server as a data mover. See Retiring an OpenStorage data mover on page 112.

See About OpenStorage data movers on page 62.

Adding an OpenStorage data mover


Use the following process to add an OpenStorage data mover.

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Managing OpenStorage Managing OpenStorage data movers

Table 12-1 Step


Step 1

Process to add an OpenStorage data mover Description


See the NetBackup Installation Guide for UNIX and Linux or the NetBackup Installation Guide for Windows.

Task
Install and configure the NetBackup media server software.

Step 2

For disk appliance storage, install the OpenStorage See About installing the disk appliance plug-in vendor software plug-in on the media server on page 78. For disk appliance storage, connect the NetBackup Beyond the scope of the NetBackup documentation. media server to the OpenStorage appliance. Add the storage server logon credentials for the media server. See Adding OpenStorage server credentials on page 109.

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

For every storage unit that points to a disk pool of In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the that storage server, verify that the new media server left pane, select NetBackup Management > Storage appears. The storage unit dialog box includes a > Storage Units. media servers list. For every storage unit that is configured to use any available media server, the new data mover is allowed access to the storage server automatically.

Step 6

For every storage unit that specifies Use one of the In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the following media servers, update the storage unit so left pane, select NetBackup Management > Storage it uses the correct data movers. > Storage Units. This step is not required if the storage unit is configured to use any available media server.

Retiring an OpenStorage data mover


Use the following process to retire an OpenStorage data mover. Table 12-2 What Process to retire an OpenStorage data mover Where

For every NetBackup storage unit that See the NetBackup Installation Guide for specifies that data mover (that is, media UNIX and Linux or the NetBackup server), clear the checkbox that specifies the Installation Guide for Windows. media server. This step is not required if the storage unit is configured to use any available media server.

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113

Table 12-2 What

Process to retire an OpenStorage data mover (continued) Where

On the media server to be retired, delete the See Deleting the OpenStorage server credentials for the storage server. credentials of a data mover on page 110.

Managing OpenStorage disk pools


After you configure OpenStorage, you can perform various tasks to manage your OpenStorage disk pools. See Adding volumes to an OpenStorage disk pool on page 113. See Changing OpenStorage disk pool properties on page 114. See Changing OpenStorage disk pool state on page 115. See Changing OpenStorage disk volume state on page 116. See Deleting an OpenStorage disk pool on page 116. See Determining OpenStorage disk pool state on page 117. See Determining OpenStorage disk volume state on page 117. See Merging OpenStorage disk pools on page 118. See Removing a volume from an OpenStorage disk pool on page 119. See Updating an OpenStorage disk pool on page 119. See Viewing OpenStorage disk pools on page 120.

Adding volumes to an OpenStorage disk pool


If you add disk volumes to the storage appliance, NetBackup does not add those volumes to an OpenStorage disk pool automatically. To use the additional disk volumes in an existing disk pool, you must add those volumes to the disk pool. (By default, NetBackup automatically increases disk pool capacity if the capacity of the underlying disk volumes increases. Similarly, NetBackup decreases the capacity of a disk pool if the underlying disk volume capacity decreases.) The NetBackup storage units that use the disk pool automatically use the additional storage capacity. You do not have to change the storage units.

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Managing OpenStorage Managing OpenStorage disk pools

Table 12-3 Task

Add volumes process for OpenStorage disk pool Procedure


See Configuring an OpenStorage disk pool on page 89. See Merging OpenStorage disk pools on page 118.

Configure a disk pool from the new disk volumes on the storage server. Merge the disk pools. When you merge the disk pools, specify the original disk pool as the primary one. NetBackup deletes the secondary disk pool after the merge.

Changing OpenStorage disk pool properties


You can change the properties of a disk pool. To add volumes to a disk pool, you must use a different procedure. See Adding volumes to an OpenStorage disk pool on page 113. To change OpenStorage disk pool properties

1 2

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, expand Media and Device Management > Devices > Disk Pools. In the right pane, select the disk pool you want to change.

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115

Click Edit > Change.

In the Change Disk Pool dialog box, change properties. See OpenStorage disk pool properties on page 90.

Click OK.

Changing OpenStorage disk pool state


Disk pool state is UP or DOWN. To change the state to DOWN, the disk pool must not be busy. If backup jobs are assigned to the disk pool, the state change fails. Cancel the backup jobs or wait until the jobs complete. To change OpenStorage disk pool state

1 2 3 4

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, select Media and Device Management > Device Monitor. At the bottom of the right pane, select the Disk Pools tab. Select the disk pool. Select either Actions > Up or Actions > Down.

116

Managing OpenStorage Managing OpenStorage disk pools

Changing OpenStorage disk volume state


Use the NetBackup nbdevconfig command to change disk volume state. The state is UP or DOWN. To change the state to DOWN, the disk pool in which the volume resides must not be busy. If backup jobs are assigned to the disk pool, the state change fails. Cancel the backup jobs or wait until the jobs complete. NetBackup jobs still read from and write to a disk pool that has a downed volume, but the downed volume is unavailable. To change OpenStorage disk volume state

Determine the name of the disk volume. The following command lists all volumes in the specified disk pool:
nbdevquery -listdv -stype server_type -dp disk_pool_name

The following is the path to the nbdevquery command:


UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd

For the server_type, the storage vendor provides the string that identifies the server type.

Change the disk volume state using the following command syntax:
nbdevconfig -changestate -stype server_type -dp disk_pool_name dv vol_name -state state

The following is the path to the nbdevconfig command:


UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd

For the server_type, the storage vendor provides the string that identifies the server type. The state is either UP or DOWN.

Deleting an OpenStorage disk pool


If you delete a disk pool, NetBackup removes it from your configuration. If a disk pool is the storage destination of a storage unit, you must first delete the storage unit.

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117

Warning: Do not delete a disk pool that contains unexpired NetBackup images; if you do, data loss may occur. To delete an OpenStorage disk pool

1 2 3 4

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, select Media and Device Management > Devices > Disk Pools. Select a disk pool. Click Edit > Delete. In the Delete Disk Pool dialog box, verify that the disk pool is the one you want to delete and then click OK.

Determining OpenStorage disk pool state


Disk pool state is UP or DOWN. To determine OpenStorage disk pool state

1 2 3 4

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, select Media and Device Management > Device Monitor. At the bottom of the right pane, select the Disk Pools tab. Select the disk pool. The state is displayed in the Status column.

Determining OpenStorage disk volume state


Use the NetBackup nbdevquery command to determine the state of volumes in OpenStorage disk pools. To determine OpenStorage disk volume state

Determine the name of the disk volume. The following command lists the volumes in the specified disk pool:
nbdevquery -listdv -stype server_type -dp disk_pool_name

The following is the path to the nbdevquery command:


UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd

For the server_type, the storage vendor provides the string that identifies the server type.

118

Managing OpenStorage Managing OpenStorage disk pools

To display the disk volumes in all OpenStorage disk pools on that vendor's storage, omit the -dp option.

Display the volume state by using the following command:


nbdevquery -listdv -dv disk_volume -stype server_type

The state is either UP or DOWN.

Merging OpenStorage disk pools


Use the NetBackup nbdevconfig command to merge existing disk pools. NetBackup updates the catalog records to show the correct location of the backup images in those disk pools. The following are the prerequisites:

The volumes in the two disk pools must have unique names. OpenStorage requires that vendors use unique names for disk volumes in a disk appliance. All volumes must be from the same storage server. If the secondary disk pool is referenced by storage units, you must delete those storage units.

To merge OpenStorage disk pools

Change the state of each disk pool to DOWN. See Changing OpenStorage disk pool state on page 115. If backup jobs are assigned to a disk pool, the state change fails. Cancel the backup jobs or wait until the jobs complete.

Merge the disk pools. The following is the command syntax. The primary disk pool is the one you want to retain; nbdevconfig deletes the secondary disk pool after the merge.
nbdevconfig mergedps stype server_type -primarydp disk_pool_name -secondarydp disk_pool_name

The following is the path to the nbdevconfig command:


UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd

Change the state of the primary disk pool to UP. See Changing OpenStorage disk pool state on page 115.

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119

Removing a volume from an OpenStorage disk pool


Use the NetBackup nbdevconfig command to remove a volume from a disk pool. The following are the prerequisites:

NetBackup image fragments cannot exist on the disk volume. NetBackup jobs cannot be active on the disk volume.

By default, NetBackup automatically decreases disk pool capacity if you remove a disk volume. To remove a volume from an OpenStorage disk pool

Change the disk volume state to DOWN. See Changing OpenStorage disk volume state on page 116.

Change the disk pool state to DOWN. See Changing OpenStorage disk pool state on page 115.

Remove the volume by using the nbdevconfig command. The following is the command syntax:
nbdevconfig -deletedv -stype server_type -dp disk_pool_name -dv vol_name

The following is the path to the nbdevconfig command:


UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd

For the server_type, the storage vendor provides the string that identifies the server type.

Change the disk pool state to UP. See Changing OpenStorage disk pool state on page 115.

Updating an OpenStorage disk pool


You may have to update your existing disk pools. For example, if you update the storage server, you must then update the existing disk pools. Usually, you update the storage server when your vendor provides an updated plug-in that exposes new functionality. Any disk pools that you create after you update the storage server inherit the new functionality. See Adding OpenStorage functionality to an existing environment on page 102.

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Managing OpenStorage Monitoring OpenStorage storage capacity and usage

To update an OpenStorage disk pool in NetBackup

Run the following command on the master server:


nbdevconfig -changedp -dp disk_pool_name -stype server_type -setattribute attribute

The following is the path to the nbdevconfig command:


UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd

See the following descriptions of the options that require arguments:


-changedp disk_pool_name -stype server_type The name of the disk pool.

The storage vendor provides the string that identifies the server type. The attribute is the name of the argument that represents the new functionality. For example, OptimizedImage specifies that the environment supports the optimized synthetic backup. SpanImages specifies that backup images can span across volumes on the disk appliance.

-setattribute attribute

Viewing OpenStorage disk pools


Use the NetBackup Administration Console to view configured disk pools. To view disk pools

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, expand Media and Device Management > Devices > Disk Pools.

Monitoring OpenStorage storage capacity and usage


To monitor storage capacity and usage, see the following:
The NetBackup The Disk Pools window displays a value that was stored when NetBackup polled the disk Administration Console pools. The value may not be as current as the value that is displayed in the Storage Server Disk Pools window. window. To display the window, in the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, select Media and Device Management > Devices > Disk Pools.

Managing OpenStorage Viewing OpenStorage disk reports

121

The NetBackup Disk Pool See Viewing OpenStorage disk reports on page 121. status report. NetBackup The storage server view displays real-time values. Administration Console To display the window, in the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, select Storage Server window Media and Device Management > Credentials > Storage Servers. The NetBackup License The summary of active capacity-based license features in the NetBackup License Keys Keys dialog box. dialog box. The summary displays the storage capacity for which you are licensed and the capacity used. It does not display the amount of physical storage space. To open the dialog box, in the NetBackup Administration Console, select Help > License Keys.

The NetBackup OpsCenter also provides information about storage capacity and usage. See the NetBackup OpsCenter Administrator's Guide.

Viewing OpenStorage disk reports


The NetBackup disk reports include information about the disk pools, disk storage units, disk logs, images that are stored on disk media, and storage capacity. Table 12-4 describes the disk reports available. Table 12-4 Report
Images on Disk

Disk reports Description


The Images on Disk report generates the image list present on the disk storage units that are connected to the media server. The report is a subset of the Images on Media report; it shows only disk-specific columns. The report provides a summary of the storage unit contents. If a disk becomes bad or if a media server crashes, this report can let you know what data is lost.

Disk Logs

The Disk Logs report displays the media errors or the informational messages that are recorded in the NetBackup error catalog. The report is a subset of the Media Logs report; it shows only disk-specific columns.

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Managing OpenStorage About catalog backups to OpenStorage devices

Table 12-4 Report


Disk Storage Unit

Disk reports (continued) Description


The Disk Storage Unit Status report displays the state of disk storage units in the current NetBackup configuration. For disk pool capacity, see the disk pools window in Media and Device Management > Devices > Disk Pools. Multiple storage units can point to the same disk pool. When the report query is by storage unit, the report counts the capacity of disk pool storage multiple times.

Disk Pool Status

The Disk Pool Status report displays the state of disk pool storage units. This report displays only when an Enterprise Disk Option license is installed.

To view disk reports

1 2 3 4

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, expand NetBackup Management > Reports > Disk Reports. Select the name of a disk report. In the right pane, select the report settings. Click Run Report.

About catalog backups to OpenStorage devices


Beginning with NetBackup 6.5.4, both full catalog recovery and partial catalog recovery is possible from a primary hot catalog backup copy on disk storage. Therefore, you can write a hot catalog backup to an OpenStorage disk appliance and then recover the catalog from the primary copy. Caveat: the recovery must be in the domain in which the catalog was created. NetBackup 6.5.4 and later also support duplication of the catalog by using a Storage Lifecycle Policy. However, limitations exist for recovery from non-primary copies of the catalog backup or from catalog copies in other domains. More information about the limitations and catalog recovery is available, as follows: See Symantec Technote 327439: http://entsupport.symantec.com/docs/327439 See Symantec Technote 327572: http://entsupport.symantec.com/docs/327572

Managing OpenStorage About restoring from backup copies

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About restoring from backup copies


By default, NetBackup restores from the primary copy of an image. If you want to restore from an optimized duplication copy or a direct to tape copy of a backup image, you must specify the copy. See Restoring from a specific backup copy in the Backup, Archive, and Restore help.

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Managing OpenStorage About restoring from backup copies

Chapter

13

Troubleshooting OpenStorage
This chapter includes the following topics:

About OpenStorage log files Troubleshooting OpenStorage credentials creation Troubleshooting Nirvanix storage pool creation Troubleshooting the encryption plug-in Troubleshooting Nirvanix backups and restores

About OpenStorage log files


You can monitor NetBackup OpenStorage activity and status by viewing the NetBackup log files. Some NetBackup commands or processes write messages to their own log files. Other processes use Veritas unified log (VxUL) files. The following are the identifiers for log messages for OpenStorage:

An sts_ prefix relates to the interaction with the storage vendor software plug-in. A nirvanix.com prefix relates to interaction with the Nirvanix Storage Delivery Network. An encrypt prefix relates to interaction with the encryption plug-in. An KMSCLIB prefix relates to interaction with the NetBackup Key Management System.

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Troubleshooting OpenStorage About OpenStorage log files

Most interaction occurs on the NetBackup media servers. Table 13-2 shows the NetBackup legacy logs for OpenStorage activity. For legacy logging, the log directories must exist so that the utility can write log messages. See Creating NetBackup log file directories on page 84. Table 13-1 Activity
Backups and restores

NetBackup legacy logs Processes that log the activity


Messages appear in the log files for the following processes:

The bpbrm backup and restore manager. The bpdbm database manager. The bpdm disk manager. The bptm tape manager for I/O operations.

Connection operations

The bpstsinfo utility writes information about connections to the Nirvanix storage server in its log files. The tpconfig utility. The tpconfig command writes log files to the tpcommand directory.

Credentials configuration

Table 13-2 shows the NetBackup VxUL originator IDs (OIDs) for the processes that write VxUL log messages. VxUL uses a standardized name and file format for log files. To view VxUL log files, you must use the NetBackup vxlogview command. The following is an example of how to view the most recent 20 minutes of log entries for the NetBackup Remote Manager and Monitor Service:
vxlogview -o 222 -t 00:20:00

Information about how to view and manage VxUL log files is available. See the NetBackup Troubleshooting Guide. Table 13-2 Activity
Backups and restores Nirvanix SDN account configuration Device configuration

NetBackup VxUL logs OID


117

Processes that use the OID


The nbjm Job Manager.

222

The the Remote Manager and Monitor Service is the process that creates the Nirvanix storage pool and child accounts. RMMS runs on media servers. The nbemm process.

111

Troubleshooting OpenStorage Troubleshooting OpenStorage credentials creation

127

Table 13-2 Activity


Device configuration Device configuration

NetBackup VxUL logs (continued) OID


178

Processes that use the OID


The Disk Service Manager process that runs in the Enterprise Media Manager (EMM) process. The Storage Server Interface process that runs in the Remote Manager and Monitor Service. RMMS runs on media servers. The Remote Disk Service Manager interface (RDSM) that runs in the Remote Manager and Monitor Service. RMMS runs on media servers.

202

Device configuration

230

Troubleshooting OpenStorage credentials creation


The NetBackup tpconfig command creates the credentials for the storage server. To troubleshoot credentials problems

Examine the log files for the tpconfig command See About OpenStorage log files on page 125. See Creating NetBackup log file directories on page 84.

Troubleshooting Nirvanix storage pool creation


The NetBackup tpconfig command creates the Nirvanix storage pool and child accounts.

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To troubleshoot Nirvanix storage pool creation problems

Examine the log files for the tpconfig command See About OpenStorage log files on page 125. See Creating NetBackup log file directories on page 84.

Look for a 50002 reponse code. The following is an example:

<Respones> <ResonseCode>50002</ResponseCode> <ErrorMessage>Unauthorized storage pool creation due to node access.</ </Response>

To use the Nirvanix Storage Delivery Network, you must have default node-replication policy settings for your Nirvanix account. New storage pools inherit the default policies, but you can adjust them for each storage pool to fit your business needs. For more information or to verify that your account has the proper settings, please contact Nirvanix Customer Support using the Nirvanix Management Portal. See About Nirvanix storage requirements and limitations on page 75.

Troubleshooting the encryption plug-in


For the NetBackup encryption plug-in for Nirvanix storage, you can verify the connectivity to the storage server and the existence of encryption keys. To verify Nirvanix connectivity

Run the following command on the media server from which you want to verify the connectivity:
bpstsinfo si storage_server nirvanix.com stype nirvanix_e

The following is the path to the bpstsinfo command:

UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd

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Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd

If the command fails to show connectivity, examine the bpstsinfo command log files to determine why connectivity was not made with nirvanix.com. Examine the log files on the media server on which you want to verify the connectivity. See About OpenStorage log files on page 125. See Creating NetBackup log file directories on page 84.

To verify the encryption keys in the Key Management System

Run the following NetBackup command on the NetBackup master server:


nbkmsutil listkeys kgname nirvanix.com:child_account_name

The following is the path to the nbkmsutil command:


UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd

Verify the following:


That the key group exists. That the encryption keys exist in that key group. That the current state of the keys key is ACTIVE.

See About data encryption for cloud storage on page 74.

Troubleshooting Nirvanix backups and restores


The following information may help you troubleshoot Nirvanix backup and restore problems.

Determine if backups exist on Nirvanix storage. See To determine if backup images exist on Nirvanix storage on page 130. If backups do not exist, examine the bptm command log files. Examine the bptm log files for failure information. See To find backup and restore failure information on page 130. Look for the following:

If backup jobs fail with error 84 or 87 in the NetBackup Activity monitor, examine the job details in the Activity Monitor or the bptm logs. The write_image call or the close_image call should show an out of space message.

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The error indicate that you reached your CHILD_ACCOUNT_SIZE setting. The CHILD_ACCOUNT_SIZE setting is a storage server value. See Nirvanix storage server properties on page 86.

If you find an 80006 reponse code, the buffer size may be too large. The following is an example:

<Respones> <ResonseCode>80006</ResponseCode> <ErrorMessage>Session not found: bf0c4fd-0483-4ccd-8c40-849c27cf2615< </Response>

Reduce the buffer size and try the backup again. See To determine if backup images exist on Nirvanix storage on page 130. To determine if backup images exist on Nirvanix storage

Run the following command on the media server that was assigned the backup job:
bpstsinfo ii storage_server nirvanix.com stype storage_type

For storage_type, use either nirvanix for nonencrypted backups or nirvanix_e for encrypted backups. The following is the path to the bpstsinfo command:

UNIX: /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd Windows: install_path\NetBackup\bin\admincmd

To find backup and restore failure information

Examine the bptm command log files on the media server that was assigned the backup job. See About OpenStorage log files on page 125. See Creating NetBackup log file directories on page 84.

Section

SharedDisk option

Chapter 14. Introducing SharedDisk

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Chapter

14

Introducing SharedDisk
This chapter includes the following topics:

About SharedDisk support in NetBackup 7.0 and later

About SharedDisk support in NetBackup 7.0 and later


The SharedDisk option is not supported beginning with the NetBackup 7.0 release. You can use a NetBackup 7.0 or later master server to configure, manage, and operate SharedDisk on NetBackup 6.5 media servers. For information about using SharedDisk, see the documentation for your NetBackup 6.5 release. With these changes, the following behavior is to be expected in NetBackup 7.0:

All configuration attempts to a SharedDisk storage server on a 7.0 or later media server fail with a storage server not found error. All read or write requests to a SharedDisk disk pool use 6.5 media servers only. If no 6.5 media servers are available, the requests fail. If you upgrade a 6.5 SharedDisk media server to 7.0 or later, NetBackup marks the storage servers as DOWN. It no longer functions as a SharedDisk storage server. To ensure that the media server is not considered for SharedDisk jobs, do one of the following: Restart the Enterprise Media Manager service after the upgrade or remove the storage server from all disk pools and then delete it. You can delete the SharedDisk disk pools and the SharedDisk storage servers that reside on 7.0 and later media servers. However, all delete operations on images fail. To delete images, do the following:

Expire the images and delete them from the catalog by using one of the following bpexpdate commands:

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bpexpdate -backupid backupid -d 0 -nodelete

With this command, NetBackup does not run an image cleanup job. You can use NetBackup Management > Catalog to determine the backupid.
bpexpdate -backupid backupid -d 0 -force

With this command, NetBackup attempts an image cleanup job. It fails with error 174; you can ignore the error. You can use NetBackup Management > Catalog to determine the backupid.
bpexpdate -stype SharedDisk

With this command, NetBackup attempts an image cleanup job. It fails with error 174; you can ignore the error.

Delete the fragments of the expired images by using the following command:
nbdelete -allvolumes -force

Note: Symantec recommends that you use solutions other that SharedDisk. The AdvancedDisk storage option is another solution.

Section

Shared Storage Option

Chapter 15. Introducing the Shared Storage Option Chapter 16. Licensing the Shared Storage Option Chapter 17. Configuring the Shared Storage Option Chapter 18. Using the Shared Storage Option Chapter 19. Troubleshooting the Shared Storage Option

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Chapter

15

Introducing the Shared Storage Option


This chapter includes the following topics:

About the Shared Storage Option About Shared Storage Option components About reserving or releasing shared devices How to share robotic libraries without using the Shared Storage Option Shared Storage Option terms and concepts

About the Shared Storage Option


The Shared Storage Option allows multiple NetBackup media servers to share individual tape drives (standalone drives or drives in a robotic library). NetBackup automatically allocates and unallocates the drives as backup and restore operations require. The Shared Storage Option is a separately licensed and a separately priced NetBackup software option which allows drive sharing. The license key is the Shared Storage Option key. The Shared Storage Option is required only if multiple hosts share drives. For example, multiple NDMP hosts may share one or more drives. The Shared Storage Option requires appropriate hardware connectivity, such as Fibre Channel hubs or switches, SCSI multiplexors, or SCSI-to-fibre bridges. You can use Shared Storage Option in the following environments:

Fibre Channel SANs

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Environments that do not use Fibre Channel, such as SCSI switches or multi-initiator configurations

See Frequently asked questions about Shared Storage Option on page 165.

About Shared Storage Option components


The NetBackup Enterprise Media Manager (EMM) manages media information. The Enterprise Media Manager also is the device allocator (DA) for shared drives. Figure 15-1 shows an example of a shared drive configuration. Figure 15-1
Host A Scan host Robot TLD (0) (avrd) (ltid) (vmd) Host adapter Host adapter DRV1 DRV2 Robot control Path Hardware Control

Shared Storage Option example


Host B EMM Server Device allocation host (vmd) (avrd) (ltid) (nbemm / DA)

Data path Data path Data path

Data path

Hardware connection

In this figure, the following describes Host A:


It is connected to drives DRV1 and DRV2 through SAN hardware. Host A is the first host in the environment to come online with a non-zero scan ability factor. Therefore, it is the initial scan host for its drives. See About scan hosts on page 139.

In this figure, the following describes Host B:

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It is connected to drives DRV1 and DRV2 through SAN hardware. It is configured to be the EMM server, which is also the device allocation host See About the device allocation host on page 141. It controls the robotics. Except for ACS or TLM robot types, only one robot control host exists for each robot. It can be configured (optionally) as a highly available (HA) server.

For a process flow diagram of Shared Storage Option components, see the NetBackup Troubleshooting Guide.

About SAN media servers


NetBackup Shared Storage Option. SAN media servers are NetBackup media servers that back up their own data. SAN media servers cannot back up the data that resides on other clients. SAN media servers are useful for certain situations. For example, a SAN media server is useful if the data volume consumes so much network bandwidth that it affects your network negatively. When you define a backup policy for a SAN media server, add only the SAN media server as the client. The NetBackup Shared Storage Option can use NetBackup SAN media servers.

About SSO and the NetBackup EMM server


To coordinate network-wide allocation of tape drives, the NetBackup Enterprise Media Manager (EMM) manages all shared tape requests in a SAN. EMM responds to requests from multiple instances of NetBackup master servers, media servers, and NetBackup SAN media servers. For shared drive configurations, the host that is configured as the EMM server is also known as the device allocation host. See About the device allocation host on page 141. EMM maintains shared drive and host information. Information includes a list of hosts that are online and available to share a drive and which host currently has the drive reserved. The Media Manager device service (ltid) requests shared drive information changes.

About scan hosts


Scan hosts are a component of the NetBackup Shared Storage Option.

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Each shared drive has a host that is identified as the scan host. A scan host is the host from which the automatic volume recognition process (avrd) scans unassigned drives. (The robotic daemons scan assigned drives.) A scan host must have data path access to the drive. The EMM database contains the shared drive information; that information includes the scan host. Media servers receive drive status information from the EMM server.
How the scan host is determined EMM determines scan hosts; a scan host may be different for each shared drive. The first host in the environment to come online with a non-zero scan ability factor is the initial scan host for its drives. To configure the scan ability factor of media servers, use the nbemmcmd command. For more information, see NetBackup Commands Reference Guide.) The scan host can change A scan host is assigned for a shared drive until some interruption occurs. For example, if one of the following occurs, EMM chooses a new scan host: The socket connection, the host, the drive, the drive path, or the network goes down. The drive is logically placed in the Down mode.

The scan host temporarily changes to hosts that request tape mounts while the mount is in progress. Scan host changes occur so only one host at a time has access to the drive path. Drive paths for the scan host If a drive has multiple paths that are configured on the selected scan host, EMM selects a scan path as follows: The first local device path it finds in its database in the UP state. The first NDMP-attached drive path it finds in its database in the UP state.

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Shared tape drive polling

For shared tape drives, only the scan host polls drives until a mount request is received from NetBackup. During a mount request, NetBackup uses the host that requests the mount to poll the shared drive. This design enables NetBackup to support Dynamic Loop Switching or SAN zones. Each tape drive needs to be detected only from a single host. Each tape drive can potentially have its own scan host that switches dynamically to process errors and continue availability. A central device arbitrating component manages scan host assignments for shared drives. The arbitrating component also provides a network drive reservation system so that multiple NetBackup media servers can share a drive. Polling a shared tape drive allows dynamic loop switching and reduces the number of device accesses and reduces CPU time. However, it cannot detect connectivity breaks (for example, discontinuity in the Fibre Channel fabric) until I/O occurs.

About the device allocation host


The device allocation host is another name for the EMM server, when the EMM server performs device allocation tasks for Shared Storage Option.

About reserving or releasing shared devices


The Shared Storage Option does not load firmware in SAN devices or communicate with hub or switch APIs. The Shared Storage Option can communicate with hub or switch APIs if you use the NetBackup shared_drive_notify script. NetBackup runs the shared_drive_notify script when a shared drive is reserved or released. The script requires the following parameters:

The name of the shared drive. The name of the current scan host. The operation, which is one of the following:
RESERVED The host on which the script is executed needs SCSI access to the drive until it is released.

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ASSIGNED

Informational only. It does not change the fact that the host that reserved the drive needs SCSI access. Only the scan host needs SCSI access to the drive. The host that executes the script has become the scan host. A host should not become a scan host while the drive is RESERVED. The scan host may change between a RESERVED operation and a RELEASED operation.

RELEASED SCANHOST

The script resides in one of the following directories: Windows: Install_path\VERITAS\Volmgr\bin UNIX: /usr/openv/volmgr/bin/shared_drive_notify Note: The script must be executable by the root user. The script exits with status 0 upon successful completion.

How to share robotic libraries without using the Shared Storage Option
You can share robotic tape libraries among multiple NetBackup media servers by using any of the following methods:

Shared library support NetBackup allows different drives within the same robotic library to be configured on different media servers. This capability is termed shared library support. Robot types that support shared library are ACS, TL8, TLD, TLH, TLM. Partitioned libraries Some robot vendors also let you partition libraries. One partitioned view of the robotic library includes one set of drives, while the other view has a different set of drives in the library. Partitions let two robotic control daemons on different control hosts manage the robotic library possibly each for a different NetBackup master and media server environment. Multiple master servers Use multiple NetBackup master servers that share a common media and device management domain. This means that the master servers use the same EMM server.

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These capabilities are not related to Shared Storage Option and should not be confused with Shared Storage Option.

Shared Storage Option terms and concepts


Table 15-1 describes the terms and the concepts relevant to understanding the Shared Storage Option. Table 15-1 Term
Backup Exec Shared Storage Option

Shared Storage Option terms and concepts Definition


The NetBackup Shared Storage Option is not the same as the Symantec Backup Exec Shared Storage Option. The Backup Exec SSO does not include support for UNIX servers and uses a different method for drive arbitration. A NetBackup SAN media server backs up its own data to shared drives. It cannot back up data on other NetBackup hosts or clients. Symantec licenses NetBackup SAN media servers. When the Shared Storage Option is installed, a tape drive that is shared among hosts is termed a shared drive. For the drives that are attached to NDMP hosts, each NDMP attach host is considered an additional host.

SAN media servers

Shared drive

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Introducing the Shared Storage Option Shared Storage Option terms and concepts

Chapter

16

Licensing the Shared Storage Option


This chapter includes the following topics:

About the Shared Storage Option license key Licensing the Shared Storage Option

About the Shared Storage Option license key


The Shared Storage Option is a feature that is licensed separately from base NetBackup. The NetBackup Shared Storage Option license key is based on the number of physical tape drives to share. The key activates NetBackup to share the specific number of physical drives for which you are licensed. See Licensing the Shared Storage Option on page 145.

Licensing the Shared Storage Option


No special installation is required for the Shared Storage Option. When NetBackup software is installed, the Shared Storage Option software also is installed. However, you must activate the feature by entering the Shared Storage Option license key. Note: Enter the license key on the NetBackup master server. Also enter the license key on each NetBackup media server that you use for the Shared Storage Option.

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Licensing the Shared Storage Option Licensing the Shared Storage Option

To license SharedDisk

1 2 3 4 5

To add a license to a specific server, on the File menu, click Change Server and then select the server. In the NetBackup License Keys dialog box, click New. In the Add a New License Key dialog box, enter the license key and click Add or OK. Click Close. Restart all the NetBackup services and daemons.

See About the Shared Storage Option license key on page 145.

Chapter

17

Configuring the Shared Storage Option


This chapter includes the following topics:

About Shared Storage Option prerequisites About hardware configuration guidelines About installing and configuring drivers Verifying the connectivity About configuring the Shared Storage Option in NetBackup Verifying your Shared Storage Option configuration

About Shared Storage Option prerequisites


To configure your hardware for use with Shared Storage Option, you must do the following prerequisites:

Configure your SAN environment. Attach robots and drives. Ensure that all of the servers recognize the shared devices. Device recognition may depend on operating system configuration, as follows:

On UNIX or Linux servers, you may have to modify configuration files, such as the sg driver on Solaris systems. On Windows servers, Windows recognizes devices automatically. However, in some instances you may have to install device drivers.

Some of the following tasks may be optional depending on your hardware:

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Configuring the Shared Storage Option About Shared Storage Option prerequisites

Determine the physical location of each drive within the robot. Location usually is shown on the connectors to the drives or in the vendor documentation. This task may not be required if NetBackup device discovery accurately determines drive location within the robot. Connect all drives and all robots. Install SAN connecting hardware (for example, bridges, switches, or hubs). If fiber is part of your configuration and you use a SCSI-to-fiber bridge, determine the SCSI-to-Fibre Channel mapping for your tape devices. Hard-wired SCSI IDs are converted to Fibre Channel logical unit numbers (LUNs) that the hosts read. To ensure correct drive assignments, you should know which LUNs map to which physical SCSI IDs. Use persistent LUN mapping if possible. Familiarity with the hardware and various vendor configuration tools help you accomplish this task. See the vendor documentation for your bridge. Record the physical configuration. When you set up a Shared Storage Option configuration, record your hardware information. Record the adapter, SCSI addresses, World Wide Names (WWNs), and Fibre Channel LUNs to which you connected each drive. Also, record the version levels of firmware and drivers. Install and configure the appropriate drivers. See your vendor documentation for instructions. On UNIX or Linux servers, create any device files that are needed. Depending on the operating system, a reconfiguration system start (boot -r) may create these files automatically. Create the device files for each drive; use the Fibre Channel LUNs of the drives and adapters in the device file names. Add the names of the device files to your notes to complete the correlation between device files and physical drive location. Use the NetBackup Device Configuration Guide and the man pages that are available with the operating system. On UNIX servers, customize the operating system by modifying the appropriate system configuration files. This task requires knowledge of the system files that use the Shared Storage Option environment and their formats. For example, on Sun Solaris systems you may need to modify the sg, st, and HBA driver files. Modify the HBA driver files to bind Fibre Channel devices (WWN) to a specific target ID. For procedures, see the operating system documentation. For instructions on how to configure the HBA on Windows servers, see the HBA documentation from the vendor.

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Use any available hardware configuration interface to configure and ensure that the configuration is what you expect. For example, on Windows servers you can use the Hyperterminal interface to configure SCSI-to-fibre bridges. Use the following order when you configure and verify the hardware:

Robot and shared drives Bridges Hub or switches Hosts

If errors occur and you suspect the operating system, refer to the operating system logs as described in your operating system documentation.

About hardware configuration guidelines


The following are hardware configuration guidelines:

If you use SAN hardware from multiple vendors, problems may occur. Always use a SAN configuration and use firmware levels that the hardware vendor supports. Consult SAN device, HBA, and operating system documentation to determine how to configure operating system tape drivers and pass-through drivers to detect your SAN devices. Check your hub timer settings. Use hard arbitrated loop physical addresses rather than soft addresses. Consult with hardware suppliers to verify the recommended usage of their products. Check the firmware levels of all your Fibre Channel hardware (for example, bridges). Use the most recent firmware level that is known to operate with other SAN hardware devices. Try to duplicate SAN issues and problems using commands and utilities on the host operating system. Test both backup and restore capabilities. Backup jobs may complete successfully, but the data may be corrupted. For example, incorrect switch settings may cause problems. Ensure that your hardware and SAN configuration are operational and stable before adding Shared Storage Option software. Test backup and restore capabilities with dedicated tape drives before you configure them as shared drives.

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Configuring the Shared Storage Option About installing and configuring drivers

For large configurations, begin drive sharing with a few tape drives and two or three media servers (or NetBackup SAN media servers). Configuration and troubleshooting processes are easier on smaller configurations. If possible, create multiple and independent Shared Storage Option configurations with subsets of servers sharing subsets of SAN-attached drives. Use the correct start order for your Fibre Channel hardware, as follows:

Robots or drives Bridges Hubs or switches Hosts

The start sequence is longer for some devices than others. To verify that the hardware starts completely, examine indicator lights. A green light often indicates a completed start sequence.

About installing and configuring drivers


On the media server systems, install and configure drivers and modify the appropriate system configuration files. Guidance about the NetBackup requirements is available. See the NetBackup Device Configuration Guide.

Verifying the connectivity


Test your hardware configuration before you configure Shared Storage Option in NetBackup. This task is very important and is often overlooked. Note the following points:

Verify that all of your servers (master and media) can communicate with one another. To do so, use the ping command from each server to every other server. Be sure to ping by host name to verify that the name resolution methods function properly. Use the NetBackup bpclntcmd utility to resolve IP addresses into host names. For more information, see the NetBackup Troubleshooting Guide and the NetBackup Commands Reference Guide. Use operating system and NetBackup commands and tools to verify that the devices are configured correctly. Make sure that the operating system detects

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the devices on the SAN before you configure the Shared Storage Option. If the configuration does not work in the operating system, it does not work for the Shared Storage Option. For example, on Solaris systems you can use the mt -f tapename status command to determine tape drive status.

For more information and examples, see the appropriate operating system chapter in the NetBackup Device Configuration Guide.

About configuring the Shared Storage Option in NetBackup


You must configure your shared drives, storage units, and backup policies.
About configuring SSO in NetBackup See About configuring SSO in NetBackup on page 151.

Configuring Shared Storage Option devices See Configuring Shared Storage Option in NetBackup devices in NetBackup on page 151. About adding Shared Storage Option configuration options See About adding Shared Storage Option configuration options on page 152.

About configuring NetBackup storage units See About configuring NetBackup storage and backup policies units and backup policies on page 152.

About configuring SSO in NetBackup


Symantec recommends that you use the Device Configuration Wizard to configure Shared Storage Option in NetBackup. Identifying devices when you configure shared devices is difficult, and the wizard increases the likelihood of a successful configuration. With the Device Configuration Wizard, you should configure all shared drives from one host (usually the master server). Launch the wizard only one time with the current host set to the master server. You then indicate a list of media servers or NetBackup SAN media servers (in the Device Hosts screen). The wizard configures devices on all of the media servers you selected, and these hosts read the shared configuration information.

Configuring Shared Storage Option devices in NetBackup


Symantec recommends that you use the Device Configuration Wizard to configure shared drives. The wizard guides you through the steps to configure shared drives.

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Configuring the Shared Storage Option About configuring the Shared Storage Option in NetBackup

Be sure to review the limitations of the wizard in the wizard help. To start the Device Configuration Wizard

1 2

In the NetBackup Administration Console, expand Media and Device Management. Click Configure Storage Devices.

About adding Shared Storage Option configuration options


You can fine-tune your configuration by adding Shared Storage Option options to the vm.conf Media Manager configuration file. For more information, see "The Media Manager configuration file" in the following:

NetBackup Administrators Guide for UNIX and Linux, Volume II NetBackup Administrators Guide for Windows, Volume II.

About configuring NetBackup storage units and backup policies


You must configure storage units and policies for your shared drives. If you used the Device Configuration Wizard to configure the shared drives, you may have configured storage units and policies already. For more information, see the following:

NetBackup Administrators Guide for UNIX and Linux, Volume I NetBackup Administrators Guide for Windows, Volume I.

Configure storage units and backup policies as follows:


Configuring storage units for In each storage unit definition, logically define the robot each media server and the shared drives for that media server. For the Maximum concurrent drives used for backup, specify the total number of all shared drives in the robot. When you configure storage units, select a single media server. Alternatively, you can allow NetBackup to select the media server to use at the time of the backup. For example, you can configure a single storage unit that any media server that shares the storage unit can use.

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153

Configuring a backup policy How you define a policy for a media server depends on your for each media server media server license, as follows: For a media server that is licensed for Shared Storage Option, the policy can back up the media server and any other NetBackup clients. For a NetBackup SAN media server, only the SAN media server can be backed up.

A license for a regular media server provides the greatest flexibility; a license for a NetBackup SAN media server is more restrictive. For a policy for the clients that you want to back up anywhere in your configuration, you can choose any available storage unit. Alternatively, you can use storage unit groups (prioritized storage units).

Verifying your Shared Storage Option configuration


In a Shared Storage Option configuration, a shared drive must have the same logical name (drive name) on all of the NetBackup media servers. If the drive resides in a robotic library, it also must use the same drive number in the library. This section describes some tools you can use to verify your configuration. How you verify that your configuration is set up correctly depends on your devices and how you configured Shared Storage Option, as follows:

If you have serialized devices, Symantec recommends that you use the Device Configuration Wizard. The wizard verifies your configuration. If you have non-serialized devices, see the Symantec support site for a tech note with instructions about how to verify your configuration. The tech note title is "Verifying a Shared Storage Option (SSO) Configuration with Non-Serialized Devices." If you have serialized devices but you did not use the Device Configuration Wizard , use the following procedure to verify your configuration.

The verification procedures use the NetBackup scan and tpconfig commands. These commands are located in the following directory:

usr/openv/volmgr/bin (UNIX and Linux) C:\Program Files\VERITAS\Volmgr\bin (Windows)

In the following example the ADIC robotic library has six drives, but only drives 5 and 6 are configured on this particular host.

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Perform the verification on all of the NetBackup servers in your configuration. Ensure that each shared drive has the same logical drive name and same drive number ID on each media server that shares the drive.

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155

To verify a manually-configured Shared Storage Option configuration

Execute tpconfig -d or tpconfig -dl. For NDMP devices, use tpautoconf -probe -ndmp_host_name host_list. The output from tpconfig shows the logical names NetBackup assigns to tape drives. The following example shows drive number 5 is named QUANTUM.DLT7000.000 and drive number 6 is named QUANTUM.DLT7000.001:
Id DriveName Type Residence Drive Path Status *************************************************************** 0 QUANTUM.DLT7000.000 dlt TLD(0) DRIVE=5 /dev/st/nh3c0t5l0 UP 1 QUANTUM.DLT.7000.001 dlt TLD(0) DRIVE=6 /dev/st/nh3c0t1l0 UP Currently defined robotics are: TLD(0) robotic path = /dev/sg/h3c0t0l0 EMM server = norway

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Execute the scan command. The scan output shows the robot and the drive properties. The following is example output:
************************************************************* ********************** SDT_TAPE ************************** ********************** SDT_CHANGER ************************** ************************************************************* Device Name : "/dev/sg/h3c0t0l0" Passthru Name: "/dev/sg/h3c0t0l0" Volume Header: "" Port: -1; Bus: -1; Target: -1; LUN: -1 Inquiry : "ADIC Scalar 100 3.10" Vendor ID : "ADIC " Product ID : "Scalar 100 " Product Rev: "3.10" Serial Number: "ADIC009K0340314" WWN : "" WWN Id Type : 0 Device Identifier: "" Device Type : SDT_CHANGER NetBackup Robot Type: 6 Removable : Yes Device Supports: SCSI-2 Number of Drives : 6 Number of Slots : 50 Number of Media Access Ports: 10 Drive 1 Serial Number : "PXB03S0979" Drive 2 Serial Number : "PXB03S0913" Drive 3 Serial Number : "CXA04S2051" Drive 4 Serial Number : "PXA31S1787" Drive 5 Serial Number : "PXA37S3261" Drive 6 Serial Number : "PXA50S2276" Flags : 0x0 Reason: 0x0 -----------------------------------------------------------Device Name : "/dev/st/nh3c0t5l0" Passthru Name: "/dev/sg/h3c0t5l0" Volume Header: "" Port: -1; Bus: -1; Target: -1; LUN: -1 Inquiry : "QUANTUM DLT7000 2561" Vendor ID : "QUANTUM " Product ID : "DLT7000 "

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Product Rev: "2561" Serial Number: "PXA37S3261" WWN : "" WWN Id Type : 0 Device Identifier: "" Device Type : SDT_TAPE NetBackup Drive Type: 9 Removable : Yes Device Supports: SCSI-2 Flags : 0x4 Reason: 0x0 -----------------------------------------------------------Device Name : "/dev/st/nh3c0t1l0" Passthru Name: "/dev/sg/h3c0t1l0" Volume Header: "" Port: -1; Bus: -1; Target: -1; LUN: -1 Inquiry : "QUANTUM DLT7000 296B" Vendor ID : "QUANTUM " Product ID : "DLT7000 " Product Rev: "296B" Serial Number: "PXA50S2276" WWN : "" WWN Id Type : 0 Device Identifier: "" Device Type : SDT_TAPE NetBackup Drive Type: 9 Removable : Yes Device Supports: SCSI-2 Flags : 0x4 Reason: 0x0

For each tape drive in the tpconfig output, do the following:

Use the device file name from the tpconfig output to locate the tape drive in the scan output. Step 1 shows device file pathnames /dev/st/nh3c0t5l0 and /dev/st/nh3c0t1l0.

Determine the serial number of the drive in the scan output. "Tape" in the device type field identifies a tape drive. Step 2 shows example scan output shows the following: The drive /dev/st/nh3c0t5l0 serial number is PXA37S3261. The drive /dev/st/nh3c0t1l0 serial number is PXA50S2276.

158

Configuring the Shared Storage Option Verifying your Shared Storage Option configuration

Verify that the serial number for the drive matches the serial number in the output from the robot section of scan. "Changer" in the device type field identifies a robot. In the previous examples, the serial numbers match.

Chapter

18

Using the Shared Storage Option


This chapter includes the following topics:

Device Monitor and Shared Storage Option Viewing SSO summary reports About adding SSO configuration options

Device Monitor and Shared Storage Option


You can use the NetBackup Administration Console Device Monitor to obtain information about your Shared Storage Option configuration and manage your shared drives. See the following: For more information about the Device Monitor, see the NetBackup Administrators Guide, Volume I. Table 18-1 describes information you can glean from the NetBackup Administration Console Device Monitor. Table 18-1 Action
Drive Status pane

Device Monitor information Information


The Control and Device Host columns contain shared drive information.

Changing the operating mode For a shared drive, the Change Mode dialog contains a list for a shared drive of all paths to the selected drive. You can choose any number of paths to which the mode change applies.

160

Using the Shared Storage Option Viewing SSO summary reports

Table 18-1 Action

Device Monitor information (continued) Information


For a shared drive, the Change Drive Comment dialog box contains the following:

Adding or changing a comment for a shared drive

A list of all paths to the selected drive The current drive comment for each combination.

You can choose any number of paths to which the changes apply. Performing drive cleaning The three available drive cleaning functions are used with functions for a shared drive shared drives are as follows: Clean Now In the list of hosts that share the drive, you can choose only one host on which the function applies. Reset Mount Time In the list of hosts that share the drive, you can choose any number of hosts on which the function applies. Set Cleaning Frequency Supported for shared drives.

Viewing SSO summary reports


You can view Shared Storage Option Summary reports. See Shared Storage Option summary reports on page 161. To view SSO summary reports

1 2 3 4 5

In the NetBackup Administration Console, in the left pane, expand Media and Device Management > Device Monitor. On the Actions menu, select View Status of Shared Drives. In the Status of Shared Drives dialog box, select a device allocation host (or hosts) from the list. Use Add to move the host to the list of hosts to scan. Click OK. The Shared Drive Summary and Device Allocation Host Summary appear in the two lower panes of the dialog.

Using the Shared Storage Option About adding SSO configuration options

161

Shared Storage Option summary reports


The following topic applies only to NetBackup Enterprise Server. The following two reports contain the following information about the drives and hosts:

The Shared Drive Summary shows the following:


Drive name Device allocation host Number of registered hosts Drive reservation status Hosts that reserve the drive Current scan host

The Device Allocation Host Summary shows the following:


Device allocation host Host name of the registered host Number of registered and reserved drives Availability status Scan ability factor Scan status (if the host is scan host for at least one SSO drive)

About adding SSO configuration options


You can fine-tune your configuration by adding Shared Storage Option options to the vm.conf Media Manager configuration file. For more information, see "The Media Manager configuration file" in the following:

NetBackup Administrators Guide for UNIX and Linux, Volume II NetBackup Administrators Guide for Windows, Volume II.

162

Using the Shared Storage Option About adding SSO configuration options

Chapter

19

Troubleshooting the Shared Storage Option


This chapter includes the following topics:

Operating system assistance Common configuration issues with Shared Storage Option Frequently asked questions about Shared Storage Option

Operating system assistance


If errors occur during the installation or configuration of the shared devices and you suspect problems with the operating system, refer to the following:

Operating system logs, as described in the operating system documents. NetBackup logs. Operating system man pages (UNIX or Linux servers only). The NetBackup Device Configuration Guide.

Common configuration issues with Shared Storage Option


If you cannot obtain full functionality after you configure SSO, consider the following:

Verify that the SAN hardware uses current firmware or drivers. Hardware includes hubs, switches, HBAs, and bridges.

164

Troubleshooting the Shared Storage Option Common configuration issues with Shared Storage Option

Verify that the JNI HBA failover value was set to zero to avoid I/O hangs. This value applies to bridges and HBAs. Verify that the HBAs with the SCSI-3 protocols are compatible with the operating system drivers. Verify that your cluster configuration is supported. For more information about cluster configuration, see the NetBackup Release Notes Verify that all of your Fibre Channel devices support your Fibre Channel topology. For example, in a switched fabric topology, ensure that all devices supported switched fabric. Verify that Shared Storage Option is licensed on each server. To do so, select Help > License keys from the NetBackup Administration Console on each server. To enable Shared Storage Option, enter the Shared Storage Option license key on each server. Verify that you configured Shared Storage Option from the master server. You must configure SSO from the master server not from a media server (or SAN media server). Verify that you configured the same robot control host on every host. Remember that except for ACS and TLM robot types, only one host controls the robot. Verify that you used the Device Configuration Wizard rather than the tpconfig utility to configure Shared Storage Option. The wizard coordinates configuration with all hosts that share the drives. The tpconfig utility may create inconsistent configurations. Verify that you selected the appropriate device hosts in the Device Configuration Wizard , including the host with robotic control. Fibre Channel connections to the drives and the robots cause increased complexity in a NetBackup device configuration. On some operating systems, SCSI-to-fibre bridges may result in inconsistencies in the device paths when you restart a host. After a restart of the host, the device configuration should be verified. Verify that names across all systems that share the drives are consistent. Test the drive paths on every media server. Define NetBackup storage units for each media server. Do not select any available media server in the storage units.

Troubleshooting the Shared Storage Option Frequently asked questions about Shared Storage Option

165

Verify that you did not interrupt a data path during a backup. If you do, the NetBackup job fails. It can fail with media write errors or it may hang and have to be terminated manually. Verify that you do not use Berkeley-style close on the tape path (UNIX or Linux servers only). On Solaris systems, verify the following:

That you added tape configuration list entries in /kernel/drv/st.conf (if needed). That you defined configuration entries for expanded targets and LUNs in sg.links and sg.conf files. If you see problems with the entries in the /etc/devlink.tab file (created from sg.links), verify the following: The first entry uses hexadecimal notation for the target and LUN. The second entry uses decimal notation for the target and LUN. Use a single tab character between the entries; do not use a space or a space and a tab character.

That you configured the operating system to force load the sg/st/fcaw drivers.

For more information, see the Solaris chapter of the NetBackup Device Configuration Guide.

Frequently asked questions about Shared Storage Option


Q. What combinations of SAN hardware components are supported for Shared Storage Option? A. Shared Storage Option works with many hardware combinations. Symantec has an open policy on hardware support for Shared Storage Option. Consult your hardware suppliers to verify the interoperability of their products. A list of SAN components that have been tested with NetBackup is available on the Symantec support Web site: http://entsupport.symantec.com Q. If NetBackup allocates four drives to a server and it finishes with two of the drives, does NetBackup reallocate the two drives? Or does NetBackup wait until the backup schedule that uses the four drives is completely finished before it reallocates the drives? A. The two available drives are reallocated and used. NetBackup monitors drive status and notifies the NetBackup scheduler of drive availability.

166

Troubleshooting the Shared Storage Option Frequently asked questions about Shared Storage Option

Q. Does NetBackup Shared Storage Option use the IP protocol or the SCSI protocol? A. Both. IP protocol is used to provide coordination between servers. Shared Storage Option uses SCSI protocol (SCSI reserve) as an added layer of protection.

Index

A
ACS or TLM robot types 139 AdvancedDisk and CIFS 23 and NFS 23 license key for 20 Arbitrated Loop Physical Address (ALPA) 149

I
installing the OpenStorage vendor plug-in 78

L
license key for AdvancedDisk 20 for Shared Storage Option 145 license keys 137

B
Backup Exec 143 bpclntcmd utility 150

M
maximum concurrent drives for backup 152 Media server storage unit setting 34, 93

C
Cloud storage 72 configuring devices 147 configuring OpenStorage optimized synthetic backups 102

N
nbemm 138 nbemm/DA definition 138 Nirvanix 72 changing storage server properties 85 the Nirvanix vendor plug-in 62

D
device configuration wizard 151 drivers 147148 files 148 device allocation host 139, 141 disk appliance plug-in 62 duplicating images to another NetBackup domain about 64, 66

O
OpenStorage installing the vendor plug-in 78 Nirvanix 72 plug-in 62 OpenStorage disk pool updating 119 OpenStorage optimized synthetic backups about 66 configuring 102 OpenStorage storage server updating 108 OpenStorage volume spanning about 63 optimized duplication configuring behavior for OpenStorage 97 OpenStorage 64

E
examples SSO components configuration 138

F
firmware levels 148149

H
HyperTerminal 149

168

Index

optimized synthetic backups configuring OpenStorage 102 OpenStorage 66 overview of shared drives 137

P
plug-in for a disk appliance 62 for Nirvanix storage 62

R
replication about duplicating images to another NetBackup domain 64, 66 robot sharing without SSO 142

SSO (continued) Shared Drive Summary 161 supported SAN hardware 165 terminology 143 Storage area network (SAN) 137, 143, 147, 149 storage server about OpenSorage 61 changing properties for Nirvanix 85 storage unit properties OpenStorage 92 storage unit recommendations OpenStorage 94 supported SAN hardware 165 Symantec Backup Exec 143

T
tested SAN components 165 troubleshooting AdvancedDisk disk failure 52 AdvancedDisk volume state changes to DOWN when volume is unmounted 52 multiple AdvancedDisk storage servers on Windows 51 unable to access AdvancedDisk storage 51

S
SAN media server 139, 143 SAN Shared Storage Option (see SSO) 137 scan host 138, 140 scripts shared_drive_notify 141 SCSI-to-fibre bridges 149 Servers SAN media server 139 shared drives definition 143 shared drives (see SSO) 137 shared library support 142 shared robots without SSO 142 Shared Storage Option. See SSO license key for 145 shared storage option key 137 shared_drive_notify script 141 SharedDisk storage units 133 spanning volumes OpenStorage 63 SSO definition 137 device allocation host 139, 141 Device Allocation Host Summary 161 hardware requirements 137 scan host 138, 140

U
updating an OpenStorage disk pool 119 updating an OpenStorage storage server 108

V
volume spanning OpenStorage 63

W
wizard device configuration 151 shared drive configuration 151

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