Configuring Off-host Backups Dell PowerVault DL Backup to Disk Appliance and Dell EqualLogic PS Series SANs
Configuring Off-host Backups Current Situation Microsoft Exchange Server and SQL Server are mission-critical components in today’s business environment. IT administrators need to ensure that access to data and email communications for employees, customers, and partners is maintained 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How does Off-host Backup Work? Off-host backup minimizes the impact to the LAN by moving backup data across the SAN during the backup process.
Solution Components PowerVault DL Backup to Disk Appliance powered by Symantec Backup Exec Dell has simplified the backup process by offering the only integrated hardware, software and services solution powered by Symantec Backup Exec. The PowerVault DL Backup to Disk Appliance comes factory installed with Symantec Backup Exec software and a unique wizard driven set up and management utility.
Agent for Microsoft Exchange Server Backup Exec Agent for Exchange provides continuous data protection for Exchange Server and revolutionizes data protection and recovery by eliminating the daily backup window for Exchange backup jobs while still allowing recovery of individual messages, folders and mailboxes – in seconds with patent-pending Granular Recovery Technology.
Note: Before continuing with the installation and setup of the DL Backup to Disk Appliance and EqualLogic storage for off- host backups, refer to the Best Practices and Troubleshooting section located at the end of the document. Dell EqualLogic iSCSI Storage Arrays Dell EqualLogic storage solutions deliver the benefits of consolidated network storage in a self-managing iSCSI storage area network that is affordable and easy to use, regardless of scale.
Installing the Dell EqualLogic Host Integration Tools on the Backup Exec Media Server This process assumes that the Dell EqualLogic array has already been setup and configured. The Backup Exec media server will be added to an existing installation. 1. Start the installation of the Dell EqualLogic Host Integration Tools on the Backup Exec Media Server using the installation executable. 2. Click Next to begin the installation. 3. Accept the terms of the license agreement and click Next to continue. 4.
Click Finish to complete the installation process. NOTE: The remote setup wizard can be used to configure the Backup Exec media server for access to the array by selecting Launch Remote Setup Wizard. If the remote setup wizard is not used, the following steps will need to be performed for configuring access to the array. Using the Remote Setup Wizard to Configure the Media Server for access to the array 1. Select Configure this computer to access a PS series SAN and click Next to continue. 2.
NOTE: Ensure the Chap credentials have first been setup correctly in the Group Administrator web management Page. 3. Click Finish to complete the process. Manually Configure the Media Server for access the array Windows 2008 1. Click on Start -> Administrative Tools -> iSCSI Initiator. The iSCSI Initiator properties dialogue box appears. 2. Click on the General tab and note the iSCSI initiator name Symantec Corporation World Headquarters 20330 Stevens Creek Blvd.
3. Click on the Discovery tab and specify the IP Address of the PS Series Group Symantec Corporation World Headquarters 20330 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, CA 95014 USA +1 (408) 517 8000 / +1 (800) 721 3934 www.symantec.com © 2008 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved. Symantec and the Symantec logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Symantec Corporation or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
4. Click on Targets tab and click Refresh. If not already done so, this will populate the iSCSI targets that the media server is able to access. Symantec Corporation World Headquarters 20330 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, CA 95014 USA +1 (408) 517 8000 / +1 (800) 721 3934 www.symantec.com © 2008 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved. Symantec and the Symantec logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Symantec Corporation or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries.
5. Click Advanced in the Log On to Target dialog box. Set the CHAP logon information check box and specify the CHAP user name and secret. The username must match an access control record for the volume. Symantec Corporation World Headquarters 20330 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, CA 95014 USA +1 (408) 517 8000 / +1 (800) 721 3934 www.symantec.com © 2008 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved.
Using the Dell EqualLogic Group Administrator Web Management page to configure access to the Dell EqualLogic Array 1. 2. 3. 4. Launch the Group Manager Applet or open a web browser interface to the Group IP Address. The username and password to the Group will need to be specified for access. Click on the Group Configuration in the left hand web navigation pane Click on the iSCSI tab in the right hand web pane. Symantec Corporation World Headquarters 20330 Stevens Creek Blvd.
5. Click on the Modify Link on Target chap account and set the user name and password and then click OK. Symantec Corporation World Headquarters 20330 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, CA 95014 USA +1 (408) 517 8000 / +1 (800) 721 3934 www.symantec.com © 2008 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved. Symantec and the Symantec logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Symantec Corporation or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
6. Click on the plus sign to expand Volumes 7. Click on the specific volume for Off-host backup in the left hand web navigation pane. Symantec Corporation World Headquarters 20330 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, CA 95014 USA +1 (408) 517 8000 / +1 (800) 721 3934 www.symantec.com © 2008 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved. Symantec and the Symantec logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Symantec Corporation or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries.
8. For each volume that will be utilized as part of the off-host backup, verify that the Backup Exec media server has access to the snapshots. Click on the Access tab and verify the access list. The access list can be specified according to CHAP credentials, IP address, and iSCSI initiator. 9. Ensure an entry is listed for CHAP and by IP address for each host that will be performing Off-host backups. Symantec Corporation World Headquarters 20330 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Installing and Configuring the Backup Exec Agents and Options for Off-host Backup NOTE: The following assumes Backup Exec has been installed on a server. 1. From the Backup Exec UI, Select Tools -> Install Options and License Keys on this Media Server 2. The Backup Exec License Wizard appears.
4. A summary of the agents and options to be installed is presented. Click Install to continue. 5. Once the installation has completed, click Finish to continue. 6. Next, remote agents need to be installed on the systems that are being protected. Select Tools -> Install Agents and Media Servers on other Servers. The installation wizard appears. Click Next to continue. 7. Right click on Windows Remote Agents and select Add Remote Computer.
3. Next, select the destination for the backup. Select Device and Media and then select the destination from the Device drop down. 4. Select General to name the backup job and specify additional options. 5. Select Advanced Disk-based Backup and select the option Use offhost backup to move backup processing from remote computer to media server. Under snapshot provider, select Hardware – Use technology provided by the hardware manufacturer. Symantec Corporation World Headquarters 20330 Stevens Creek Blvd.
6. Perform this step if this is a backup of Microsoft Exchange. If this is not a backup of Microsoft Exchange, skip to step 8. Select Microsoft Exchange and verify that the option Use Backup Exec Granular Recovery Technology (GRT) to enable the restore of individual mailboxes, mail messages, and public folders from Information Store backups. Continue to Step 8. Symantec Corporation World Headquarters 20330 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, CA 95014 USA +1 (408) 517 8000 / +1 (800) 721 3934 www.symantec.
7. Perform this step if this is a backup of Microsoft SQL. If this is not a backup of Microsoft SQL, skip to Step 8. Select Microsoft SQL and specify the backup options for the SQL backup. Continue to Step 8. 8. Click on Schedule and specify the scheduling options for the backup. Click Run Now to submit the backup job for processing. The backup job status can be monitored from the Job Status tab. Restoring Data 1. Select the Restore Tab and select New Restore Job.
2. Select the data that is to be restored. If you are restoring data to a file server, individual files and folders or complete volumes can be restored. If you are restoring data to an Exchange server, individual items can be restored such as mailboxes, messages, and public folders and the entire Information Store can be restored. If you are restoring data to a SQL server, select the SQL database for restoration. 3. Select General to name the backup job and specify additional options. 4.
5. Perform this step if this is a restore of Microsoft SQL. If this is not a restore of Microsoft SQL, skip to Step 6. Select Microsoft SQL to verify the restore options for the SQL data. Continue to Step 6. Symantec Corporation World Headquarters 20330 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, CA 95014 USA +1 (408) 517 8000 / +1 (800) 721 3934 www.symantec.com © 2008 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved.
6. Click on Schedule and specify the scheduling options for the restore. Click Run Now to submit the restore job for processing. The restore job status can be monitored from the Job Status tab. Conclusion Creating snapshots for off-host backup requires minimal overhead and does not interfere with normal system operations. As a result, administrators can schedule snapshots frequently, minimizing potential data loss during a disaster.
Best Practices and Troubleshooting • • • • • • • • • • • The off-hosts clients must be using Windows Server 2008 to perform off-hosts backups with the DL Backup to Disk Appliance. The Backup Exec Hardware Compatibility List contains the list of the supported software and hardware certified with this solution. (http://support.Veritas.com/menu_ddProduct_BEWNT_view_CL.htm). Check the HCL to verify that all components are certified and supported.
