Do we need a Windows Server to manage SAN Backup ?

Question

Hi, Currently, we have a DELL TL4000 Library connected to SAN.   We get BackupExec installed on a Windows Server (BACKUP) that is connected to SAN for managing backup. To my best knowledge (please correct me if it is wrong), other servers connected to SAN retrieve  data from CLARiiON array >>> Individual hosts send data to BACKUP via LAN >> BACKUP send data to Tape via FC. In this way, does it mean that we have to mandate a Windows Server connected to SAN just for the purpose for performing backup ? The other servers connected to SAN are running vSphere 4.1 Hosts & Lotus Notes Server, is there any way so that we can save money by eliminating that Windows Server (BACKUP) ? Your advice is sought.

dynamox · Accepted Answer

TonyJK wrote:Many thanks for your advice.From your reply, my understanding is that a machine has to be set up for managing the FC Connected Tape Library & a VM in vSphere Host  cannot do so AS vSphere doesn't support FC attached Tape Library ?  Is it correct ?Besides, there is another Windows Server running as Lotus Notes server connected to the FC.  My supervisor strongly oppose installing BackupExec on it.  I understand it is not a BackupExec discussion forum but from your experience, do you agree with my supervisor's comment ? your backup server needs to have connectivity to the tape library,  if your library supported SCSI connectivity (which it does not), you could put 'supported' scsi card into your ESX server and then configure pass-through tape drives directly to your 'BackupExec VM'. You are limited to FC tape connectivity only which is not supported by vSphere. I would not put BackupExec on the same server as your email server, BackupExec will keep your network interfaces so busy that it might impact your email functionality.

TonyJK2 · Answer

We are running both BackupExec and IIS on that BACKUP Server. If we don't need a server connected to SAN for backup purpose, we will virtulize the IIS Server as a VM.

If we don't need a machine connected to SAN for backup, we can save money for purchasing HBA (as we are going from 4Gbps front end to 8Gbps).

Thanks

Message was edited by: TonyJK

dynamox · Answer

so you want to virtualize your backup server or you just want to figure out if you need to keep your backup server connected to the switch fabric ?

dynamox · Answer

many backup applications have the 'disk cache' functionality where LAN clients backup data gets staged on disk first and then it gets moved to tape. Are you doing anything like that ? Message was edited by: dynamox

dynamox · Answer

does the library have FC connectivity to your backup server ?

TonyJK2 · Answer

As far as I know, the answer is NO. We are very tight on SAN space and I think we just backup the data directly to tape.

However, can you give me advice where to check whether this option has been selected ? Should I check the TL4000 Tape Library or BackupExec software ?

Thanks

Message was edited by: TonyJK

dynamox · Answer

that would be in your backup software

sadik1 · Answer

Hi,

Backup Exec Remote agent will always transfer the Backup data to the media server via LAN. To avoid performance impact on your production LAN you would want to setup a dedicated Backup LAN or implement a SAN solution.

You may want to consider the SAN backup solution options provided by Symantec Backup exec. This will need additional Paid Licenses.

Some options provided by backup exec are SSO, ADBO and Offhost backups. I would recommend contact Symantec for more details.

NOTE: Incase this answers your query please mark this reply as answered.

Thanks

Sadik Sayed

dynamox · Answer

if your tape library is FC connected you don't have a choice but to keep your physical windows server around, FC attached tape drives/library are not supported on vSphere.

TonyJK2 · Answer

Dear Sadik,

Many thanks for your advice.

I will look into the options offered by BackupExec.

From my understanding, even though we purchase the "SAN Server Service Suite", we still need to have a designated server connected to FC SAN for managing backup. Is it correct ?

If you are familiar with "BackupExec SAN Server Service Suite", may I ask you whether we need a "SAN Server Service Suite" BackupExec license for each vSphere Host or for each VM running on vSphere Host ?

Thanks again

TonyJK2 · Answer

Many thanks for your advice.

From your reply, my understanding is that a machine has to be set up for managing the FC Connected Tape Library & a VM in vSphere Host cannot do so AS vSphere doesn't support FC attached Tape Library ? Is it correct ?

Besides, there is another Windows Server running as Lotus Notes server connected to the FC. My supervisor strongly oppose installing BackupExec on it. I understand it is not a BackupExec discussion forum but from your experience, do you agree with my supervisor's comment ?

Thanks

Message was edited by: TonyJK

dynamox · Answer

how many tape drives in the library, does each drive have a FC port ?

TonyJK2 · Answer

Hi,

We have determined to purchase a new server running MS Windows OS for managing BackupExec.

As the server is only deployed for managing backup, can we purchase 1 HBA only ? As far as we know, there is only 1 HBA in the TL5000 Tape Library.

Your advice is sought.

TonyJK2 · Answer

There is only one drive in the library with single FC port. Thanks

dynamox · Answer

if you are not going to use Clariion as your 'cache' area first, then one HBA is fine, even the latest LTO5 drive is rated at 140MB/S. If you later on decide to implement D2D2T (disk to disk to tape) then i would get another HBA (or two) so you don't mix disk connectivity and tape connectivity on the same HBA.

CLARiiON

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