About compatibility between NetBackup versions
You can run mixed versions of NetBackup between master servers, media servers, and clients. This back-level support lets you upgrade NetBackup one server at a time, which minimizes the effect on overall system performance.
Veritas supports only certain combinations of servers and clients. In mixed version environments, certain computers must be the highest version. Specifically, the version order is: OpsCenter server, master server, media server, and then clients. For example, the scenario that is shown is supported: 9.0 OpsCenter server > 8.3.0.1 master server > 8.3 media server > 8.0 client.
All NetBackup versions are four digits long. The NetBackup 9.0 release is the 9.0.0.0 release. Likewise, the NetBackup 8.3 release is the NetBackup 8.3.0.0 release. For the purposes of supportability, the fourth digit is ignored. An 8.3 master server supports an 8.3.0.1 media server. Likewise, an 8.3.0.1 master supports an 8.3 OpsCenter server. An example of what is not supported is an 8.3 OpsCenter server with a 9.0 master server.
The NetBackup catalog resides on the master server. Therefore, the master server is considered to be the client for a catalog backup. If your NetBackup configuration includes a media server, it must use the same NetBackup version as the master server to perform a catalog backup.
At NetBackup 8.1, it is critical to follow the longstanding requirement that the master server is upgraded first. Then upgrade all media servers that are required to support any 8.1 clients. Veritas recommends that you upgrade all your media servers before upgrading any clients. After all master and all media servers are at NetBackup 8.1, begin to upgrade your clients to 8.1. Pre-8.1 media servers are not able to backup or restore NetBackup 8.1 clients.
For complete information about compatibility between NetBackup versions, refer to the Veritas SORT website.
Veritas recommends that you review the End of Support Life information available online.