Backup CIFS data using the Backup Exec Media Server & OST DXi4701

Question

Hello, I have been provided with a Quantum DXi4701 to backup my VNX file data. I have an additional 10GbE baseT IO Module on my data movers through which, i would like perform backup to my DXi4701 Backup Storage. All 10G network connexion should be achieved through a Cisco 4900M Switch. On my datamover I have one CIFS Server. I also have Backup Exec 2014. My concern is to backup my CIFS data using the Backup Exec Media Server to my DXi4710 in OST mode, all accessing the Backup network. The first backup tests (VNX File date to my OST DXi4701) that I made provide very bad response time, 500Mb/min. The questions I have are : 1). The 10GbE NAS heads link is used at only 12.5%, that is the 10GbE link between NAS heads and the OST DXi4701 backup Storage is not really used. Please we need to undestand why this ? 2). Need to know if using Backup Exec Media Server to Backup CIFS environnement through 10G port devices is the best way to achieve this ? 3). If not, what option do I have ? Responses are very much appreciated ! Thanks mS

dynamox · Answer

are you perfoming an NDMP backup or you are mapping a CIFS share to your backup server and back it up like that ?

mstef · Answer

Hello, I am just mapping a cifs share to my backup server and backup it up in OST mode (quantum DXi4701).

mstef · Answer

Please can you help on this ? We are facing a very bad response time.

dynamox · Answer

the way you are backing up is probably not the most efficient way, your backup client has to traverse every single folder to decided what needs to be backed up.  Have you investigate if you can run true 'NDMP' backup. I don't know if BE requires any additional license but this would be a better option.  Sometimes it's refered as '3-way NDMP' where NDMP backup travels on top of IP versus traditional FC/SCSI tapes presented directly to datamovers.

Rainer_EMC · Answer

I would suggest to look at using NDMP

mstef · Answer

Please, I would also like to know if anyone has ever had to deal with this kind of setup: Backup CIFS data using the Backup Exec Media Server on OST DXi4701 Backup Storage.

Now concerning NDMP :

1) What is the average throughput when doing NDMP backup ?

2) Is it the only option we can do to backup the cifs files with good throughput ?

3) The FC or SCSI tape drives are presented to datamovers on FC BackEnd ports or while on NAS heads with FC IO Modules ?

4) Can you have a step-by-step guidance document for NDMP implementation ?

dynamox · Answer

1) i was getting around 90MB/s from a 1G interface, this is 3-way NDMP backups. You should be able to get much more if you connect VTL/tape directly to the datamover

2) FC connectivity will probably be your best transport, Avamar backup application offers more efficient way to create NDMP backups but that's probably not an option for you

3) FC drives are presented to datamovers using aux ports, these are FC ports that are dedicated for tape connectivity

4) search for document "docu41473_Configuring-NDMP-Backups-on-VNX.pdf" , i am sure Backup Exec has instructions as well.

mstef · Answer

Thank you guys for allow me realize that I do not have the optimal configuration to achieve the best backup time. I will then go through NDMP.

Here's how I'll probably configure, feel free to correct me please

1) I have 2 X-Blades. Each blade has two AUX port (port 2 & 3). My Quantum DXi4701 has 2 Tape Drive (Tape Drive1 & Tape Drive2).

XBlade 2 (primary) - AUX port (port 2) connect to Tape Drive1 of DXi4701 (1 FC port) in Direct Attach.

XBlade 3 (Standby) - Free

The second Tape (Tape Drive2 of DXi4701) will be use for backups of other non-NDMP clients.

2) My BE2014 will need to talk to my datamover through an IP interface right ? At which level in the procedure this configuration is carried out ?

Thanks

mS

Rainer_EMC · Answer

Configuration is described in the VNX NDMP manual (even has a chapter about BE) and the Backup Exec manual

Please take the time to understand the implications of NDMP backup – like no cross-platform restore, impact on multiplexing / tape sharing

Should be covered in the Backup Exec manual

VNX

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