NetWorker Block Based backup With Parallel save streams (PSS) - recovered files appear blank.
Summary: NetWorker Block Based backup with Parallel save streams (PSS) - recovered files appear blank. Block Base Backups (BBB) are taken of a Windows cluster drive (O:), with Parallel save streams (PSS). The issue occurs when recovering files; some of the recovered files open blank in notepad. ...
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Symptoms
NetWorker Block Based backup (BBB) with Parallel save streams (PSS) is taken for a clustered drive of a Windows Failover Cluster.
When (BBB) image files are recovered, some files appear blank, for example when they are opened in Notepad.
Cause
The root cause is unknown.
Due to the age of the backups, the original files were no longer present on the client. It was not possible carry out a detailed investigation and reproduce the behavior with further backups.
However, during investigation other factors were discovered with the configuration and environment which required attention.
CONFIGURATION
This is a two node Windows Failover cluster. For example,
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
1. The active node of the cluster contains older Volume Shadow Copies. This should be removed to avoid stale - out of sync - shadow copies. Leaving older shadow copies on the system can affect or prevent the creation of newer shadow copies.
2. The active node of the cluster contains software installed on cluster drives, For example, O: This is known to cause issues with NetWorker. The requirement is to install software on local drives.
(Exception - datafile and databases CAN always be placed on cluster drives.) The requirement is just for binaries. Software should not be installed to run from local drives.
For example, C:\ and not from cluster drives.
Due to the age of the backups, the original files were no longer present on the client. It was not possible carry out a detailed investigation and reproduce the behavior with further backups.
However, during investigation other factors were discovered with the configuration and environment which required attention.
CONFIGURATION
This is a two node Windows Failover cluster. For example,
- FSCL01 is a clustered File server name
- Node 1 and Node 2 are the active/passive nodes in the cluster.
- The NetWorker configuration contains a client resource only for the cluster name, FSCL01
- (Problem) Missing Client resources for two nodes
- This is a requirement for all versions of NetWorker cluster backups. A clustered server needs a client resource for the cluster name or clustered server and each of the cluster nodes.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
1. The active node of the cluster contains older Volume Shadow Copies. This should be removed to avoid stale - out of sync - shadow copies. Leaving older shadow copies on the system can affect or prevent the creation of newer shadow copies.
2. The active node of the cluster contains software installed on cluster drives, For example, O: This is known to cause issues with NetWorker. The requirement is to install software on local drives.
(Exception - datafile and databases CAN always be placed on cluster drives.) The requirement is just for binaries. Software should not be installed to run from local drives.
For example, C:\ and not from cluster drives.
Resolution
CONFIGURATION
- Remove node1 and node2 names from the Aliases field of the clustered client (FSCL01).
- Create a client resource for each, Node 1 and Node 2, with Save set "All"
- The Node clients can be added to their own workflows if needed; Do Not add them to the same workflow as the cluster client.
- Remove old shadow copies for cluster drive O: For example, with
VSSADMIN DELETE SHADOWS /FOR=O:
- If possible, remove existing software which may be installed of cluster drive (O:) and reinstall it to local drives for example (C:). It is not recommended to install software on cluster drives.
- Start an initial Full backup once all the changes have been made.
Article Properties
Article Number: 000213536
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 08 Sep 2023
Version: 3
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