NDMP option for Backup Exec 11.d for EMC Celerra

Question

I have a tape device connected directly to my EMC Celerra. I have Backup Exec 11d with the NDMP option server on the same network LAN as the EMC. On the EMC side, I think I created everything correctly, since the tape device shows up. The NDMP service is running on port 10000.

When I try to add a NDMP server on Backup Exec, i get the following eror message: "Unable to validate the NDMP server at this time. Do you still want to add it?"
If I click on YES, I am able to see the NDMP server when go to Backup, however I cannot drill down to files. I can only see the top level folders.

I have contacted EMC as well as Symantec and neither is any help. Has anyone run into a similar scenario with a successful resolution? I have read some contradicting responses such the NDMP not working on BackupExec to turning off the NDMP service on the EMC.

Any help here would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Rainer_EMC · Accepted Answer

Its actually easier to delete the old account using /nas/sbin/server_user and recreate it with the -md5 flag as described in the 'Configuring NDMP Backups on Celerra' manual

Rainer_EMC · Answer

Hi,do you have a screenshot ?I'm not really an expert there, but a colleague was saying:As for browsing the NAS from backup exec with NDMP (no need to change the NDMP port I think), it looks like there are 2 ways to do it:1 - a cifs server exists with the same name as the NDMP server in Backup Exec and the user in Backup Exec / Network / Logon account is a domain user. Then Backup Exec will present the shares available on that CIFS server so that one can select them to backup 2 - if the Backup Exec / Network / Logon account is set to 'ndmp', then Backup Exec will use the 'browse' feature of NDMP V4 to list all file systems on the NDMP serverIt could be that they have not set md5 encryption when creating the ndmp user on the DM (I have not seen an option for md5 yes/no when creating the ndmp user in Backup Exec, so I would assume that it uses only md5).It could also be that they need to change the user in 'network / Logon account' to a domain user if there is a CIFS server.

peterL4 · Answer

Thanks for the resposne. I'm not sure how to post up a screenshot.

Your step 2 seems to be the closest that I can relate to. My Logon account is set to the ndmp account that was set up on the NDMP Server. I can see the NDMP server and list the top level folders, but that's as far as i get. I can't drill down to specific files.

Step 1 doesn't work. I cannot use a domain account since that can't autheticate against the NDMP server.

Rainer_EMC · Answer

Does a NDMP backup of a whole file system work ?

Rainer_EMC · Answer

Thanks for the resposne. I'm not sure how to post up a screenshot. you could just ftp it to ftp.emc.com - just create a directory in incoming and let us know the name

Rainer_EMC · Answer

after after some reading http://seer.support.veritas.com/docs/288123.htm

it looks like the Backup Exec NDMP agent can only backup whole file systems:

[i]# Limitations
# Only complete file systems (volumes) can be backed up; neither individual directories nor files can be selected for backup.

Rainer_EMC · Answer

I have read some contradicting responses such the NDMP not working on
BackupExec to turning off the NDMP service on the EMC.

I found that one as well in the Symantec Knowledgebase.

Its worded a bit awkardly - but it basically means if you want to do a LAN-based backup (non NDMP) of a NAS system you have to either the change the NDMP port of turn off NDMP on the NAS system.
Looks like Backup Exec uses the same port for its normal agent and the server tries to connect to that port.

So this one doesnt apply to your environment

Rainer_EMC · Answer

Then I try to add a NDMP server on Backup Exec, i get the following eror message: "Unable to validate the NDMP server at this time. Do you still want to add it?"

I talked to someone who did install Backup Exec before and here's his answer:

Unable to validate is another problem which occurs for three reasons
1) one did not create an ndmp user on the server (with MD5)
2) By default, 'System Admin' is selected rather than ndmp user. One needs to open the proper dialog box, and select the ndmp user
3) Network connectivity.

Rainer_EMC · Answer

Hi peterL,did you get it to work ?Rainer

peterL4 · Answer

Thanks for all the responses Rainer,Backing up full files systems will be fine with me.I have created the NDMP account, but am not sure if it was with MD5. How can I check if it is or not.

peterL4 · Answer

Thanks again Rainer for all your responses.

Rainer_EMC · Answer

you're very welcomeIf you have the time it would be nice if you could report back how well it works and what the performance is I think a number of customers here on the forum would be interested in that.regardsRainer

peterL4 · Answer

I have succesfully backed up using Backup Exec with the NDMP option.

Even though I had to backup the full file system, I was able to restore specific folders/files.

Speeds were very fast since it is LAN-free.

Rainer_EMC · Answer

thanks. good to hear.

luciano.gonzale · Answer

I've a similar issue...but without success. Suddenly the performance decreases and from a moment to another, we are unable to validate through NDMP...Server_log shows: MD5 password cannot be calculated. Password is not using special characters. Also whe note the traffic now is traveling throgh LAN instead SAN...obviously because NDMP authentication problem i think. Regards and thanks in advance

Celerra

NDMP option for Backup Exec 11.d for EMC Celerra

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