Unity Storage System - Backup and DR Testing Interface NDMP + Link Aggregation

Question

Hello Community, i have questions about the Backup and DR Testing Interface of Unity Storage System.   Following situation: I wish to replicate synchronous a NAS server between UnityA and UnityB. On the desination UnityB, I want to Backup the file systems of the NAS Server via 3-way NDMP.  1. Is it possible to Backup the NAS server via Backup and DR Testing Interface on the desination UnityB via 3-way NDMP?  If it is not possible via the Backup and DR Testing Interface, what would be an valid option to do so? 2. Is it possible to create an HA Interface (Link Aggregation), wich should be used for async Replication and also the mentioned Backup and DR Tesing Interface. Each of them in different VLANs. I did not find anything, if it is allowed to use HA Interfaces for Backup and DR Testing Interface.    On the following PDF on page 12 is all i found regarding Backup and Test Interface: https://www.delltechnologies.com/en-us/collaterals/unauth/technical-guides-support-information/products/storage/h17122-dellemc-unity-dr-access-and-testing.pdf  On the following PDF on page 19 is nothing mentioned about the Backup and DR Testing Interface https://www.delltechnologies.com/resources/en-us/asset/white-papers/products/storage/h15162-dell_emc_unity-high_availability.pdf   BR  Mar-Blu

Rainer_EMC · Accepted Answer

@Mar-Blu wrote:

Hi DELL-Sam L,

thanks for your reply. I already found this informations.

1. In this KB (https://dell.to/2OsH8Nm) it is mentioned, that the Backup and DR Interface should be created on destination NAS server.

"For NFS, FTP/SFTP, or NDMPCopy access, a “Backup and Test” interface must be created on the destination NAS server."

But is it working for 3-way NDMP Backup?

2. So LACP should be allowed for all kind of network interfaces withouth iSCSI Interfaces.

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/de-de/000022781/dell-emc-unity-how-to-configure-link-aggregation-user-correctable?lang=en&dgc=SM&cid=338584&lid=spr4709610373&RefID=dtw21_spr4709610373&linkId=115611880

yes you can backup file systems on a destination NAS server using NDMP

yes you can use LACP if you dont use the interface for ISCSI

DELL-Sam L · Answer

Hello Mar-Blu, Here are some links to some KB’s that maybe of assistance. https://dell.to/3rWD5Xd https://dell.to/3msELGY https://dell.to/2OsH8Nm

Mar-Blu · Answer

Hi DELL-Sam L,

thanks for your reply. I already found this informations.

1. In this KB (https://dell.to/2OsH8Nm) it is mentioned, that the Backup and DR Interface should be created on destination NAS server.

"For NFS, FTP/SFTP, or NDMPCopy access, a “Backup and Test” interface must be created on the destination NAS server."

But is it working for 3-way NDMP Backup?

2. So LACP should be allowed for all kind of network interfaces withouth iSCSI Interfaces.

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/de-de/000022781/dell-emc-unity-how-to-configure-link-aggregation-user-correctable?lang=en&dgc=SM&cid=338584&lid=spr4709610373&RefID=dtw21_spr4709610373&linkId=115611880

Best regards,

Mar-Blu

DELL-Sam L · Answer

Hello Mar-Blu,

It should be for three-way. Have you looked at the Dell EMC Unity Family Configuring NDMP Backups guide? If not here is a link to the guide. https://dell.to/3wyRmgm

You want to use Link Aggregation on the ports that you are using for your NAS server interface. You don’t want to use Link Aggregation on iscsi ports.

Mar-Blu · Answer

Hello Rainer,

thanks a lot!

I have implemented and tested it.

1. So the Steps to do for NDMP Backup are:

Configure NAS Server
Configure File System
Replicate File System to Destination Unity
Assign Backup & DR Interface to target NAS Server
Enable NDMP on target NAS Server and set password for ndmp user
Further Configuration is done in Backup Software

2. The same LACP Interface can be used for Prod INterface of NAS Server and for Backup and DR Interface. Notice to configure LACP on network Switches.

BR,

Mar-Blu

Unity

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