The answer is both Yes and No.

You do need a Netapp direct attached to a drive(s).   However, the
current version of NBU does support what is called 3-way NDMP.   This
allows stand-alone Netapp #2 to stream a backup to direct attached
Netapp #1, while the media server controls a robotic arm and file index.

Some recent posts have suggested that the next major version of Netbackup
will allow a drive direct attached to the media server to accept a NDMP
stream, thus eliminating the need of direct-attached drives to the Filer.

For my setup, I like direct attached, in that I can run a backup in the
middle of the day if needed, without any adverse network
congestion. 

Regards,

Jon

On Mon, 28 Jan 2002, Metcalf, Bob wrote:

> 
> 
> Does the NDMP functionality require direct-attachment
> of the tape drive to the netapp, or can it back up
> the filer over the net?
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