Networker

Re: [Networker] VM Backup server?

2007-04-12 18:23:59
Subject: Re: [Networker] VM Backup server?
From: Preston de Guise <enterprise.backup AT GMAIL DOT COM>
To: NETWORKER AT LISTSERV.TEMPLE DOT EDU
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 08:21:49 +1000
Hi David,

> We are discussing taking our Networker server to VM.
> 
> My first concern is the FC HBAs as mentioned in another post.
> Has anyone gone too VM for Networker?
> Has it worked?

I remember having this discussion with my last boss, who was always keen on
getting as many hosts in our environment virtualised. I always felt that
there was no compelling reason to do it, and lots of compelling reasons not
to do it.

I.e., have you fully considered the DR implications of having a production
backup server run in a virtualised state?

In a true DR environment, you want to be able to start recovering machines,
data, etc., as quickly as possible. You can't immediately do that if your
backup server is a VM. If you want to be able to recover it, you need to
construct a new VM server. In theory you would have been backing up the old
VM server, but you need a VM server in place to be able to construct the
NetWorker VM so that you can recover the NetWorker VM so that you can
recover the VM server that it sits on. (Sort of like looking into an
infinite regression of mirrors!)

Yes, in a DR situation you can run up a physical server and start recovering
quicker.

But if you're going to do this, why run a VM server to start with?

There are some fundamental pieces of equipment in an environment which for
practicality and corporate continuance should not really be virtualised. The
backup server is definitely one of those things.

Cheers,

Preston de Guise.

-- 
http://www.anywebdb.com
http://enterprise.backup.googlepages.com

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