Netbackup - D/R from replicated Disk Storage Units
I have a site with a config as follows:
Primary Site: 1 x Virtual Master, 3 x media server. Media servers all use basiic disk stroage units which are replicated to the D/R site (replication done at the storage level)
D/R Site: 1 x standby virtual Master, 1 x media. Media server has a tape library attached.
As all of the disk storage units are replicated out tot he D/R site the backup images are safe - but what is the best way to get access to restore these in the event of a requirement to restore backups in the D/R site ? The media servers to which the storage is attached at the primary site don't exist in the D/R site, just a single media server (which does have SAN access). We will 'spin-up' the standby master server which will be kept upto date via SRM etc. so will be OK for the master.
Bottom line - how do I restore data from my replicated disk storage units without the original media servers to which they were attached being available ? Thanks AJ
Comments 6 Comments • Jump to latest comment
Either run a catalog recovery and then update the catalog with the media server that has access to the images with the nbcatsync command ...
or...
import the images (similar to importing an expired tape).
Martin
Have you looked into using AIR(auto image replication). It works quite well, and the images are automatically imported on the receiving side.
You will need a combination of nbcatsync and FORCE_RESTORE_MEDIA_SERVER or else import images, as per Martin's post.
We have done this for a customer some time ago, but it's messy and time consuming:
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/how-can-i-get-remote-nbu-env-ostdatadomain-see-duplicated-images-another-nbu-env#comment-6664681
Obviously the SLP duplications will not be applicable in your situation.
Adapt steps to suit your environment and test... TEST... T-E-S-T !!
Supporting Storage Foundation and VCS on Unix and Windows as well as NetBackup on Unix and Windows
Handy NBU Links
Thanks for the input - however a couple of 'potential' issues / questions here:
My disk units are BasicDisk Storage Units, and reside on NetApp devices (NbCatSync seems to indicate it won't work on BasicDisk). I use NetApp to replicate the LUNs to the DR site - and obviously NBU is not aware of this secondary copy. As these are BasicDisk units I cannot utilise SLP's to duplicate them - hence NetApp being used to replicate.
I am running in a single Netbackup Domain, with the second Master server being turned off until required for a recovery. Therefore AIR is not in-play.
As the Master (primary & DR) are Virtual servers (VMware), I am replicating the datastore containing both the O/S and catalog etc. out to the DR site several times daily - so as to allow me to spin-up the DR Master Server in the event of a failure at primary site and have a recent copy of the Master server including catalog. I am also performing Hot Catalog backups twice daily directly to the DR site. Based upon this I wouldn't see AIR coming into play (single NBU domain) nor a catalog restore being required (catalog as up to date as required).
Based on the above, I see my only requirement as being that I need to present the DR versions of the LUNs to a media server at the DR site and then have the catalog recognise these as being attached to the DR media server and not the original media servers in primary site. Is my only option here an IMPORT of the images after attaching them to the DR media server ?
Thanks,
AJ.
Hmm, basic disk you might be correct there ... I've only used nbcatsync on advanced disk.
If there are not too many images, importing looks to be the easiest way I think.
Martin
Like Marianne said, just sounds like you need to set FORCE_RESTORE_MEDIA_SERVER on the secondary site so that the 3 media servers instead restore from wherever the basic disk STUs get replicated (on your 1x DR media server?), after a spin-up of the DR master (which is basically the same identical master). I don't see why an import will be necessary
All you gotta do is test it.
Principal Learning Consultant with Symantec Education Course Development
Would you like to reply?
Login or Register to post your comment.