Discussion about TSM nodenames in TSM for VE

[jackyzhang]

As I read the TSM for VE deployment guide, there are some TSM nodename.

1. datamover node
2. datacenter node
3. vcenter node
4. vmcli node

Shall I only use one nodename instead of four nodenames?
Are these nodenames a must in TSM VE deployment procedure?

[drivechip]

Yes some of these nodes are a must depends on your setup. When you want to use DP for VMware vCenter Plug-In it is highly recommend to setup nodes as described. The plugin uses the grant/proxy relationships on TSM to determine data mover nodes etc.

[jackyzhang]

Which one of the following is recommended?

(1)One datamover node for one ESX server?
(2)One datamover node for one DataCenter(Site)?
(3)One datamover node for one vStorage Backup Server?

[drivechip]

Which one of the following is recommended?

(1)One datamover node for one ESX server?
(2)One datamover node for one DataCenter(Site)?
(3)One datamover node for one vStorage Backup Server?

It depends on your scheduling approach. When you want to do full backups based on hosts then 1 is fine. When you want to do full backups based on vStorage Server 3 is fine. In most cases 2 doesn't make sense.

[jackyzhang]

Thanks a lot.

Another question:
Which schedule method do you use?
(1) use TSM for VE VMcenter plugin to schedule a backup.
(2) write a cmd script "dsmc backup vm....", and use traditional TSM scheduler to invoke it ?

Thanks again.

[drivechip]

You do not need to write a cmd script. You can schedule VM backups with TSM 6.x. Just create a opt file with your backup options. Then use a client scheduler to invoke backup.

You should care which scheduling approach I use. You should determine the best approach for your number of hosts, vms, backup strategy and needed throughput.

[jackyzhang]

Sorry, I just read from the guide.

They define the schedule from vSphere client with TSM plugin.

[drivechip]

Yes this is possible. It is almost the same. vCenter Plugin creates schedulers on TSM Server by using vCLI node and client acceptor. You can setup your own scheduling on TSM server without any problems.