Creating a NetBackup storage server for snapshot replication
A NetBackup storage server is a NetBackup entity that has exclusive access to manage snapshots on the volumes of an OpenStorage partner. This procedure describes creating a storage server using the Storage Server Configuration Wizard. Specific partner considerations are referenced throughout.
To create a storage server
- Before launching the Storage Server Configuration Wizard, make sure that the OpenStorage partner has the necessary software installed and is online. The volumes of the disk array must also be configured.
- Click Configure Disk Storage Servers in the NetBackup Administration Console main window to launch the Storage Server Configuration Wizard.
- Select OpenStorage as the disk storage type. Click Next.
- Configure the details of the storage server.
Media server
Select the media server to query the storage server. This is the media server that is assigned the credentials for the storage server. Credentials allow the media server to communicate with the storage server.
Note that all of the media servers in the configuration appear in the list, even if the OpenStorage plug-in is not installed. Select a media server where the OpenStorage plug-in is installed.
Enter the user name to log on to the storage host.
If the storage host does not require logon credentials, enter dummy credentials.
Enter the password for the logon account.
Re-enter the password to confirm the password.
For a media server to communicate with and have access to a storage server, it must be added to the Replication Director environment.
See Adding the storage server credentials to a NetBackup server.
Storage server type
Select the type of storage server to create:
For a NetApp 7-mode configuration, select NetApp OnCommand server (7-mode) (Network_NTAP).
For a NetApp Clustered Data ONTAP configuration, select NetApp OnCommand server (cluster-mode) (NTAP_CDOT).
Storage server name
Enter the name of the storage server. The name that you use for the storage server must be used consistently throughout both the NetBackup environment and the storage vendor environment.
Enter the exact name of the storage server, whether a fully-qualified name or a short name.
In a NetApp 7-mode configuration, this is the OnCommand Unified Manager.
In a NetApp Clustered Data ONTAP configuration, this is the computer that hosts the NBUPlugin 2.0, not the OnCommand Unified Manager.
Click Next.
- The Additional Media Server Configuration for OpenStorage Devices panel appears in environments where there are multiple media servers or where the primary server is on a different host from the media server.
Enable the check boxes for all media servers that are to be used to access the storage server for snapshots, snapshot replication, or restores.
Enable the check box for the computer that hosts the primary server, if it appears in the list. The primary server host must be enabled so that the NetBackup catalog is updated correctly for rollback and restore operations.
Note:
The primary server does not appear in the list if it was already selected in the Add Storage Server wizard pane as a media server for the Select media server property (Step 4).
- The wizard displays a summary panel that lists the configuration information that you've entered. Click Back to make any changes or Next to create the storage server.
- The wizard declares that the storage server was successfully created. To create a disk pool, make a check in the check box labeled Create a disk pool using the storage server that you have just created. A disk pool is necessary for snapshots and snapshot replication.
Click Next to launch the Disk Pool Configuration Wizard.
- Select the type of disk pool that you want to create. If an OpenStorage partner does not appear for selection, make sure that the license has been installed and that an OpenStorage storage server has been created
- On the Select Storage Server panel, select the storage server that was created earlier in the wizard. Click Next.
- The Select Disk Pool Properties and Volumes panel presents all of the volumes that have been configured in the storage of the OpenStorage partner by the storage administrator.
A disk pool can contain only those volumes that share similar properties. So that dissimilar volumes are not combined, NetBackup filters the volumes for selection.
Select the Primary property to configure this first disk pool for snapshots. The list displays all of the volumes that match the selected property.
- Select a primary volume in the table to be part of this first disk pool. Notice that primary volumes also have the Source property set as well. Snapshots on the primary volume are the source for snapshot replication. Click Next.
- In the Additional Disk Pool Information panel, name the disk pool and add any comments you want to make regarding the disk pool.
See NetBackup naming conventions.
Enable Limit I/O streams to limit the number of read and write streams (jobs) for each volume in the disk pool. Select the number of read and write streams to allow per volume. When the limit is reached, NetBackup chooses another volume for write operations, if available. If not available, NetBackup queues jobs until a volume is available.
Click Next.
- Review the summary screen that lists the disk pool configuration. Click Back to make any changes or Next to create the disk pool.
- The wizard declares that the disk pool was successfully created. To create a storage unit, make a check in the check box labeled Create a storage unit using the disk pool that you have just created. A storage unit is necessary for snapshots and snapshot replication.
Click Next.
- In the Storage Unit Creation panel:
Name the storage unit.
Select the media server(s) that can use the storage unit:
Use any available media server to transport data
NetBackup selects any media server to access the storage unit.
Use only the selected media servers
NetBackup uses only the media server that is specified to access the storage unit.
Only the media servers that have the OpenStorage plug-in installed appear in this list. For a media server to communicate with and have access to a storage server, it must be added to the Replication Director environment.
Note:
A storage unit can represent many physical devices. When a storage unit is a replication target, NetBackup lets the plug-in select which device to use within the storage unit. For replication jobs, storage units and storage unit groups ignore the Maximum concurrent jobs setting. NetBackup does not attempt to throttle the parameters.
- Click Next. The final wizard panel displays, announcing that the wizard has been completed.
You've just configured a storage server, a disk pool, and a storage unit to contain the primary snapshots. Configure additional disk pools (and storage units) for every group of disk volumes that will contain snapshot replications of the primary snapshots.
For example, in the following figure, two disk pools are necessary:
One disk pool that contains volumes to hold primary snapshots and act as a source for other replications, and
A second disk pool that contains the volumes that are replication targets for snapshot replications.
See the following topic for more information about creating more disk pools and storage units.