Veritas-bu

[Veritas-bu] Backup NetApp With Win2K NBU Server

2003-03-13 10:07:44
Subject: [Veritas-bu] Backup NetApp With Win2K NBU Server
From: ron AT linux DOT ca (Ron Lyman)
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2003 10:07:44 -0500 (EST)
Good Day,

Sorry about the long mail, but I tend to go on about things.  :)

SUMMARY:  How can I back up a NetApp CIFS share using a Win2K NBU 3.4.1
server, over the LAN, without NDMP?  Do I need NBU 4.5?  Must NDMP be
used?

NBU server: NBU 3.4.1 on Win2K Server, direct attached SDLT backing up
local filesystem.
Intended Target: NetApp Filer F810, with CIFS only.

I have been struggling with getting a new NetApp fully into production for
a while now.  I have the files migrated and need to back them up
(currently using robocopy to mirror the snapshot onto the NBU server's
drives, but that is running very low on space).  We are not using NDMP for
a couple of reasons I went into a while back, one being I was informed it
is possible to backup a CIFS share without having the NBU client installed
on the NetApp.  After trying to nail someone down for specific info, this
is what they (a NetApp tech) sent me from one of their other clients:

> > "You are correct you can still backup a share in NBU 4.5. We don't
> > really care that it's a filer. Just make sure that in the Backup
> > Policy you click on the radio button to follow shares, otherwise by
> > default we'll only look at locally mounted file systems."

We are running NBU 3.4.1 and I do not see the option described (unless
they're talking about cross mount points and that didn't seem to work).  
The source at NetApp has told me to go to Veritas.  My Veritas guy at our
support company has not handed me the answer yet - he seems a little burnt
out and is giving me strange responses, I may be calling Veritas directly
soon.

If there is anyone on this list who knows how to backup a share, I would
love to know how!  I have a license available, it is just not possible to
install a client on the NetApp.  For most intents (I believe), it looks
like a Windows file server on the network.  I tried selecting the NBU
server as the client and then for the pathname (of course mapped drives
are not in the list to select) I just typed in j:\nightly.0.  Not
surprisingly, this didn't work. :)

I am considering upgrading to NBU 4.5 if that will work or going to NDMP.  
I'm sure in terms of backup performance NDMP is a great way to go, but the
NetApp hardware requirement for restoration in a DR situation has me a
little concerned - we can't get by with a generic Windows server and would
have to source a NetApp.  <vent> And it ticks me off that I purchased some
GigE infrastructure to back this NetApp up over the network... not a
Veritas problem of course, but I'm a little POed with the NetApp rep who
assured me this could be done and now has left me high and dry. </vent>

Thanks for reading this far!

Regards,
Ron Lyman
Network Support
Moen Incorporated
(905) 829-3400 x 253