Symantec Backup Exec 12.5 using with NDMP on NX4

Question

Hi Guys,

I need some help with using NDMP as a backup solution for our network. We are in a process of implementing EMC NX4 NAS solution. We are looking at Symantec Backup Exec 12.5 for Windows server to backup the NAS using NDMP option (This is budget wise)

So basically this is my understanding...

1. Having Backup Exec 12.5 install on a dedicate Windows server 2003 as a media server, that also have NDMP option enable
2. On the NX4 box, files/user data/ Exchange 2003 information store and SQL 2000/20005 databased migrate and live on it's own LUN's. A straight mapping from it's own server talk to NX4 via iSCSI (Storage consolidation)
3. Using built-in tools, Snapsure to take a snapshot of the data/database above at night times
3. Backup Exec media server, schedule the backup to backup the snapshot onto another LUN's as backup to disk
4. Then another schedule to perform from a snapshot to the tape drive, which connected directly at the back of the NAS

Please correct me if the logic or something I miss from the steps. If that all sound good. A fews question is....

1. We are planing to get LTO3 tape drive, single tape, not a library. What sort of connection that connect to the back of the NX4? Does it's need to be NDMP compatible?
2. How would Backup Exec media server see the snapshot from the NX4, in order to backup to another LUN's on the same unit NX4

Much appreciate for any helps !!!

Regards,

Jack
(AUS)

Rainer_EMC · Answer

Hi Jack,NDMP wont backup ISCSI LUNs - you have to do that from the client.That means at least the Exchange backup would have to go to a tape that is attached to the backup server and not a NDMP tape.The easiest way it so use EMC Replication Manager, which will put the Exchange DB in backup mode, then create an ISCSI snapshot and promote and mount snap on a backup host and starts the backup application.You could try to skript that manually with ssh calls to the Celerra control station that issue server_iscsi, but as far as I know there arent any Microsoft command line tools to quiesce the Exchange Database.There should be some white papers or solution guides on Powerlink that give you ideas on implementing Exchange on Celerra ISCCSI inlcuding backup.

Peter_EMC · Answer

The latest supported version supported is Symantec Backup Exec V12.0

JACKN1 · Answer

Perhap maybe you could give us some advise on what should be do in-term of storage consolidation

- The reason been getting a EMC Celerra NX4 is consolidate all our files/database growth. At the moment we don't have any form of Backup solution. Typically we moved raw data around so that we can used in an event of disaster/restore purpose.

There is a number of files server on our network and a number of database including SQL 2000/2005 and also Exchange server 2003. Like to know how to centralized those server in term of in a event where we need to restore the files, what is the best way used in conjunction with EMC Celerra NX4 solution using iSCSI path. Bear in mind the least interruption the better?

2 TB of data include database files which spread over number of physical server that need to be consolidated

Is NDMP an option, snapsure snapshot, using snapshot to backup to disk and to tape. Having tape drive connected directly to NX4 or should it's be on Backup Exec 12.5 media server (Windows 2003) box.

We just like to know what the best practices that other company or yourself do in situation like this.

Regards,

Jack
(AU)

Rainer_EMC · Answer

I suggest to talk to your EMC or partner system engineer or TC/TAM

take a look at the information on Powerlink in
Home > Solutions > EMC Solutions for Midsize Enterprises >
The attached gives an overview - make sure you also look at the references architectures and best practices guides

consolidate your file serving on one or more CIFS servers on the Celerra

use ISCSI for the MS Exchange and SQL data

if you dont want to spend the money for a tape drive on the data mover and a tape drive on the backup server go for one attateched to the backup server
then get a Replication Manager license so that the ISCSI snapshots get integrated with the backup

use LAN based with Backup Exec backup for your files (NDMP would be better but then you would need two tape drives or a more NDMP feature rich software than BE)

think about using ISCSI virtual provisioning if you want to save space on the snapshots but then make you enable monitoring to not run out of space

use SnapSure file system snapshots for short-term backup/restore needs

like I said with NDMP it is not possible to backup ISCSI LUNs

get at least a Replication Manager demo or if possible an Eval license
see Powerlink Home > Products > Software P-R > Replication Manager > White Papers for more RM info

JACKN1 · Answer

Thank Rainer for your help, the information in PDF does actually refresh my mind and make thing more clearer and other great information which is spot on.

With NDMP what are the some advantage over BE ???

Just out of curiosity about the connectivity between the NX4 directly to tape backup drive? what sort of connection or requirement would you need from the tape hardware itself? and how it's connect to the NX4? Are we talking about iSCSI tape drive also known as NASTAPE drive?

But over-all the information you have provided is very useful

Thank you, and thank to other poster as well !!!

Jack
(AUS)

JACKN1 · Answer

How is this for a backup solution.... (FEEL FREE to comment on it)

For file sharing - CIFS filesystem created on a LUN's using Raid 5 (SATA)

Exchange and SQL server, application reside on the physical box. Databases and information stored and log will be stored on a new create LUN's using iSCSI Raid1- multiple drive SAS, which presented back to SQL and Exchange server

With the backup we are planing to use Symantec Backup Exec 12.5 for Windows server. Having a dedicate Windows 2003 used for Backup Media server to backup and restored/ monitoring and etc..

A multiple CIFS shared will be map and presented in Backup Exec software. Backup Exec backup onto NX4 Backup-to-disk LUN's or volume create purely for Backup (this will have retention set for 1-weeks), then a final backup to tape at the end of the week.

Symantec Backup Exec Exchange and SQL agent install on the physical server's (Host). Backup Media server backup the files back on the Backup-to-disk LUN's or volume, then to tape similar to the CIFS method above

Physical SCSI tape drive LTO single drive tape will be attached at the back of the Backup media server.

With data been spread out on multiple location within a LAN environment using 1GBe Ethernet, backing up 2 TB of data at night at different point should be OK right?

Rainer_EMC · Answer

a tape drive directly attached to the data mover would have to be FC fibre
no copper FC or ISCSI unless you want bridge in between

what I meant is that Backup Exec doesnt support some advanced NDMP features that other backup software like EMC Networker has implemented.
For example 3-way NDMP where the data mover would build the do the backup via NDMP and send it to the backup server via Ethernet to a tape drive attached there.

Rainer_EMC · Answer

should workstill - take a look at Replication ManagerI think if you are using RM with ISCSI snapshots you could do without the Exchange and SQL backup agents since their biggest jobs of quiescing the database and log management are done by RM.see the RM white papers for Exchange and SQL that explain different backup and replication optionsIt would also allow you to quickly revert to a known-good snapshot or to mount a snapshot and use database tools to quickly recover data If you add the Kroll Ontrack PowerControls to that you get an easy solution for Single Mailbox Restore.

john5178 · Answer

Just an update, as of this posting 12.5 is supported.

Celerra

Symantec Backup Exec 12.5 using with NDMP on NX4

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