Multi-datacenter with Media Server Encryption Option (MSEO)
A multi-datacenter with Media Server Encryption Option (MSEO) is defined as a medium to large group of hosts (greater than 50) that span two or more geographic regions. The hosts are connected by a Wide Area Network (WAN). In this example, one datacenter is located in London and the other datacenter is located in Tokyo. Both datacenters are connected through a dedicated WAN connection.
This multi-datacenter example can typically include more than 50 hosts. All externally facing hosts use the Media Server Encryption Option (MSEO). In this example, clients use both encrypted backups for some clients and the MSEO option for other hosts. Data that is too sensitive to be archived off-site is "left at rest" in an unencrypted format.
The multi-datacenter with Media Server Encryption Option (MSEO) includes the following highlights:
NetBackup spans two or more geographic regions through a WAN
Newer option in NetBackup
Useful for protecting off-site data
Data is still sent from the client in the clear, implying that passive wire interception is an acceptable risk
Key management and encryption are managed in a central location equating to a single point of failure. Using the high availability cluster can help.
Media server needs to be robust to handle multiple clients at once
Useful where you need to send encrypted tapes off-site but want to off load encryption from the client, which is CPU intensive
Must have keys to get data back. Lost keys means lost data. (See information on key share backup in the Encryption Chapter.)
Figure: Multi-datacenter with Media Server Encryption Option (MSEO) shows an example multi-datacenter with Media Server Encryption Option (MSEO).
The following table describes the NetBackup parts that are used for a multi-datacenter with MSEO implemented.
Table: NetBackup parts for a multi-datacenter with MSEO implemented
Part | Description |
|---|---|
London datacenter | Contains the master server, media server 1, MSEO 1, clients 1, 2, 3, and client 5 Web server in the DMZ. The London datacenter also contains the encrypted data tape for clients 1, 2, 3, and unencrypted data tape for client 5. The London datacenter connects to the Tokyo datacenter through a dedicated WAN connection. |
Tokyo datacenter | Contains the media server 2, MSEO 2, clients 8, 9 and client 11 Web server in the DMZ. The Tokyo datacenter also contains the encrypted data tape for clients 8, 9, and unencrypted data tape for client 11. The Tokyo datacenter connects to the London datacenter through a dedicated WAN connection. |
Wide Area Network (WAN) | Specifies that the dedicated WAN link connects the London datacenter to the Tokyo datacenter. The WAN provides connectivity between the master server in London to media server 2 with clients 8, 9, 11 in Tokyo. |
Master server | Specifies that the master server that is located in the London datacenter, communicates with media server 1 and clients 1, 2, 3, and 5. The master server also uses the WAN to communicate with media server 2, and clients 8, 9, and 11 in Tokyo. |
Media servers | Specifies that this multi-datacenter uses two media servers. Media server 1 is located in the London datacenter and media server 2 is located in the Tokyo datacenter. In London, media server 1 communicates with the master server, MSEO 1, and clients 1, 2, 3, and 5. Media server 1 writes unencrypted data to tape for client 5. Media server 1 also uses MSEO 1 to write encrypted data to tape for clients 1, 2, and 3. The encrypted tape is transported off-site to a vault in London. In Tokyo, media server 2 communicates with the master server in London through the WAN and clients 8, 9, and 11 in Tokyo. Media server 2 writes unencrypted data to tape for client 11. Media server 2 also uses MSEO 2 to write encrypted data to tape for clients 8 and 9. The encrypted tape is transported off-site to a vault in Tokyo. |
MSEOs | Specifies that the two MSEO hardware appliances off-load encryption from individual clients. The individual client CPU performance is improved (relative to client side encryption) by using the MSEO appliance. The MSEO 1 is in the London datacenter and MSEO 2 is in the Tokyo datacenter. The MSEO 1 generates an encrypted data tape for clients 1, 2, and 3 that can be stored off-site in London. The MSEO 2 generates an encrypted data tape for clients 8 and 9 that can be stored off-site in Tokyo. |
Tapes | Specifies that both the unencrypted and encrypted data tapes are produced in the London datacenter and in the Tokyo datacenter. The encrypted tape contains MSEO encrypted backup data. In London, the unencrypted tape is written for client 5 and stored on-site at the London datacenter. The encrypted tape is written for clients 1, 2, and 3. The encrypted tape for clients 1, 2, and 3 is transported off-site to a vault in London for disaster recovery protection. In Tokyo, the unencrypted tape is written for client 11 and stored on-site at the Tokyo datacenter. The encrypted tape is written for clients 8 and 9. The encrypted tape for clients 8 and 9 is transported off-site to a vault in Tokyo for disaster recovery protection. Note: To decrypt the data, the key(s) used to encrypt the data must be made available. |
Transports | Specifies that there are two transports. One transport is located in London and the other is located in Tokyo. The transport truck in London moves the encrypted tape for clients 1, 2, and 3 off-site to a secure London vault facility. The transport truck in Tokyo moves the encrypted tape for clients 8 and 9 off-site to a secure Tokyo vault facility. Note: If a tape is lost during transport, the datacenter manager has potentially reduced the risk of a data breach. This breach has been reduced through the use of data encryption. |
Vaults off-site | Specifies that there are two vaults that are located off-site. One vault is located in London and the other is located in Tokyo. Both vaults provide safe encrypted tape storage facilities off-site at different locations than the datacenters. Note: Good disaster recovery protection promotes having the encrypted tapes stored at locations separate from the datacenters. |
Clients | Specifies that clients are located in both the London and Tokyo datacenters. In London, clients 1, 2, and 3 are of the MSEO type and client 5 is a Web server type (not using MSEO) that is located in the DMZ. Both server types can be managed by the master server. And they can have their encrypted data backed up to tape through media server 1 attached MSEO hardware appliance. Client 5 communicates to NetBackup using NetBackup only ports through the internal firewall. Client 5 receives connections from the Internet using HTTP only ports through the external firewall. Tokyo clients 8 and 9 are of the MSEO type. Client 11 is a Web server type (not using MSEO) located in the DMZ. Both server types can be managed by the master server located in London. And they can have their encrypted data backed up to tape through media server 2 attached MSEO hardware appliance. Client 11 communicates to NetBackup using NetBackup only ports through the internal firewall. Client 5 receives connections from the Internet using HTTP only ports through the external firewall. |
Internal firewalls | Specifies that the multi-datacenter can use two internal firewalls. One internal firewall is located in London and the other is located in Tokyo. In London, the internal firewall can use NetBackup to access client 5, Web server, located in the DMZ. The Tokyo internal firewall can use NetBackup to access client 11, Web server, in the DMZ. Only selected NetBackup ports and possibly other application ports are enabled for data communication into and out of the DMZ. Other HTTP ports can be open in the external firewall but cannot pass through the internal firewall. |
Demilitarized Zones (DMZs) | Specifies that the multi-datacenter can use two DMZs. One DMZ is located in London and the other is located in Tokyo. In London, the DMZ provides a "safe" area of operation for the Web server client 5 that exists between the internal firewall and external firewall. The Web server client 5 in the DMZ can communicate to NetBackup through the internal firewall using designated NetBackup ports. The Web server client 5 can also communicate through the external firewall to the Internet using only HTTP ports. In Tokyo, the DMZ provides a "safe" area of operation for the Web server client 11 that exists between the internal firewall and external firewall. The Web server client 11 in the DMZ can communicate to NetBackup through the internal firewall using designated NetBackup ports. The Web server client 11 can also communicate through the external firewall to the Internet using only HTTP ports. |
External firewalls | Specifies that the multi-datacenter with MSEO can use two external firewalls. One external firewall is located in London and the other is located in Tokyo. In London, the external firewall lets external users access the Web server client 5 located in the DMZ from the Internet over HTTP ports. The NetBackup ports are not allowed to pass through the external firewall to the Internet. Only the HTTP ports of Web server client 5 can pass through the external firewall to the Internet. In Tokyo, the external firewall lets external users access the Web server client 11 located in the DMZ from the Internet over HTTP ports. The NetBackup ports are not allowed to pass through the external firewall to the Internet. Only the HTTP ports of Web server client 11 can pass through the external firewall to the Internet. |
Internet | Specifies that there is only one Internet but two Internet connections in this multi-datacenter example. One Internet connection is located in London and the other is located in Tokyo. The Internet is a collection of interconnected computer networks that are linked by copper wires, fiber-optic cables, and wireless connections. In London, the Web server client 5 can communicate over the Internet using HTTP ports through the external firewall. In Tokyo, the Web server client 11 can communicate over the Internet using HTTP ports through the external firewall. |