NetWorker Support for VStorage API for Data Protection (VADP) (7.6 SP2)

we are already implement vSpehere

yes

SnapImage style backups of VM's (Symantec have it). Apparently the API gives you the info to do it.

Excellent. I must admit, as I was asking the question, I was thinking why would this be better than de-dupe? Answer.... whilst it isn't as good as de-dupe with saving space, it is quicker as you don't have to do the scan... the application (ESX) does it for you. Add de-dupe to this, and it's very cool!

Great point! Block-based backups with dedupe will be the way forward for VMware environments...

One more thing and you probably know this already - NetWorker (in 7.6) today can provide file-level recovery from an image based backup, you don't have to perform two different backups - one for DR and the second for operational recovery. This is through the VCB framework today and we are working on moving to the VSphere API.

Yes I understand the ability to do an image backup and get file level recovery in 7.6. However a few points:

1) We aren't running 7.6 as we are risk adverse and after 7.3 you have some bridges to rebuild there (although I do agree the release quality is much better)

2) I'm afraid I'm not convinced on the functionality using VCB as you have to have extra storage to hold the image on the proxy, and wait whilst the image is copied to the proxy. IMNSHO this makes it about as useful as a chocolate tea pot. However, linked with vStorage API it is good functionality.

3) I don't want to invest in VCB hardware knowing that it is about to go away.

To be honest, considering that VMware is majority owned by EMC and that the Avamar development team knew what was going on, I'm surprised that you guys got caught on the hop like this. VMware is a market leading product, and you should be ready with features when they launch. Symantec managed it, and so did Avamar.

Not saying it is your fault, but communication needs to be improved.

Is NetWorker 7.6.1 going to support both VCB and vSphere API?

And when is EMC going to release 7.6.1?

Johannes

Will emc support vcb until the new solution is available?

vStorage API for Data Protection support is not in 7.6.1, but will be available in the following release by the end of this year.

Good deal, thank you..

Absolutely. EMC NetWorker will continue to support VCB until the integration with vStorage API is available.

Are we able to obtain a release date for this functionality within NetWorker?

Will it be released this year?

Still marching towards the end of the year as the target date. 

Hi,

Is there any update as to when the version with vStorage API support will be released? I see from another post that it went into beta testing last month but couldn't find any later news.

Regards,

David

Beta is closed (2/14/2011)

Hi David,

The NetWorker v7.6 SP2 primary release objective was to add support for the VMWARE vStorage API (VADP).  In October, we conferred with many of our top customers who have been waiting for this functionality and they provided overwhelming input to hold this release back to include ‘VADP Change-Block-Tracking’ (CBT) and Windows 2008 Disaster Recovery (BMR) support.  Therefore at our customers request, we expanded the 7.6 SP2 program to include these customer requirements.

The revised timeline for the NW 7.6 SP2 program is the following:

• Beta 1 – Starting 12/21
  
  • Windows Disaster Recovery (BMR) support for Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 and Windows 7

• Beta 2  - Starting late January

  
  
  • VMware VADP with CBT
  • Windows Disaster Recovery beta refresh
• Estimate for release is Q1

If any customer wishes to gain access to this expanded beta for early testing and support for VADP, VADP with CBT, or Windows DR they can apply for the beta by completing these steps :

1. Sign-up for the NetWorker v7.6 SP2 Beta Program on EMC Feedback Central using this link:
   https://feedbackcentral.emc.com/callout/default.html?callid={6717A854-9B5E-4306-9EFC-89F9B26A704D}
   
   • Create an account at feedbackcentral.emc.com (if you don’t have one)
   • Agree to the electronic EMC Product Test Agreement
2. Complete the attached NetWorker v7.6 SP2 Beta Qualifier and return it via email to Kris Macdonald

Let us know if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Allan

Hi Allan,

Thanks very much for the update, that is really useful.

Regards,

David