NDMP

My NDMP Notes from the symantec admin guide.

NetBackup for NDMP is an optional application that enables NetBackup to use the Network Data Management Protocol (NDMP) to initialize and control backups and restores of Network Attached Storage (NAS) systems

Types of NDMP Backup

The NDMP server application on the NDMP host performs backups and restores of the NDMP host, directed by commands received from an NDMP client (NetBackup). Backups can be conducted in any of the following ways:

•                    NDMP local backup

•                    NDMP three-way backup

•                    Backup to a Media Manager device on the NetBackup server

High speed local backup of NDMP hosts

Backup data travels between disk and tape drives that are directly attached to the same NDMP host. This provides high-speed backup without impairing network throughput.

Three-Way Backup/Restore

In a three-way backup or restore, data travels between an NDMP host and a storage device attached to another NDMP host or to a NetBackup media server. This contrasts with local NDMP backup/restore, where the data travels between an NDMP host’s disk and a storage device directly attached to the same NDMP host.

Backup to a Media Manager device on the NetBackup server

(Remote NDMP)

Backup of a network-attached NDMP host to a tape device on a NetBackup media server. This is a form of three-way backup also known as remote NDMP. This feature supports NDMP versions V2, V3, and V4 on the NDMP hosts.

NDMP Storage Unit

An NDMP storage unit stores the backup data for an NDMP host. The tape drives in this storage unit attach directly to the NDMP host or can be configured on a SAN.

Note that NDMP storage units cannot be used to store data for non-NDMP hosts, and NetBackup disk storage units cannot be used for NDMP tasks.

Storage Units

NetBackup uses either NDMP-type storage units (for local or three-way backup), or Media Manager storage units (for backup to devices attached to a NetBackup media server).

NDMP Storage Units

When backing up NDMP host data to devices attached to an NDMP host or available to the NDMP host on a SAN, NetBackup requires NDMP-type storage units.

An NDMP storage unit can contain standalone or robotic drives. Robotic controls can be in a TLD (Tape Library DLT), TL8 (Tape Library 8MM), TLH (Tape Library Half Inch), or ACS robot type.

Media Manager Storage Units

When backing up NDMP host data to devices attached to a NetBackup for NDMP server or available to the server on a SAN, you can use drives configured in Media Manager-type storage units.

For NDMP backup, drives in Media Manager-type storage units do not have to be dedicated to NDMP data: they can store backups of regular (non-NDMP) NetBackup clients as well as of NDMP clients.

NDMP Backup Process

During a backup, the following events occur:

1. From the EMM database, NetBackup obtains a media ID for the tape that will be used for the backup and sends a tape-mount request to ltid.

2. ltid on the NetBackup for NDMP server sends the NDMP (SCSI robotic) commands necessary to get the requested tape mounted on the storage device.

3. NetBackup sends the NDMP commands necessary to have the NDMP server application perform a backup to the tape. The backup data travels in one of two ways:

•        Between the local disk and tape drives on an NDMP host.

•        Over the network, from an NDMP host without its own storage device to a NDMP host (or NetBackup media server) with a locally attached storage device (three-way backup).

•        4. The NDMP server application sends information to the NetBackup for NDMP server about the files that were backed up. This information is stored in the NetBackup file database.

•        5. The NDMP server application sends status about the backup operation to the NetBackup for NDMP server.

Direct Access Recovery (DAR)

Quickly restoring a single file or group of files from a backup image created by NetBackup for NDMP can be accomplished automatically using Direct Access Recovery (DAR). DAR can greatly reduce the time it takes to restore files. DAR is enabled by default (no configuration required).

There are two prerequisites for using DAR with NetBackup for NDMP:

•                    DAR must be supported by the NDMP host where the NDMP server application resides.

•                    The backup must have been made by NetBackup 4.5 GA or later, with the catalog in binary format (binary format is the default).

Note File-level DAR is supported; directory-level DAR is not supported.

DAR enables the NDMP host to position the tape to the exact location of the requested file(s), reading only the data needed for those files. NetBackup automatically determines whether DAR will shorten the duration of the restore, and activates DAR only when it will result in a faster restore.

NetBackup DAR can be disabled for all NDMP policies

Enabling/Disabling DAR

By default, NetBackup for NDMP is configured to use Direct Access Recovery (DAR). For each restore, NetBackup automatically determines if the use of DAR will speed up the restore. NetBackup uses DAR only when it will result in a faster restore.

Note NetBackup can use DAR only if the NDMP NAS host supports it (contact your NAS vendor for details).

DAR can be turned off if desired. This may be necessary if you are having problems with DAR and your NDMP host is an older machine or is not running the latest NAS OS version.

1.       In the NetBackup Administration Console, expand Host Properties and click on Master Servers or Media Servers.

2.       Right-click on the name of the server and select Properties.

3.       Click on General Server.

4.        Uncheck the Use direct access recovery for NDMP restores box, and click Apply. This disables DAR on all NDMP restores.

Installing on UNIX Servers

Note If you are installing in a cluster environment, you must freeze the active node before you begin the installation process so that migrations do not occur during installation. For information about freezing a service group, see the clustering section in the NetBackup High Availability System Administrator’s Guide for the cluster software you are running.

On the UNIX host that you want to be the NetBackup for NDMP server, do the following:

1.       Log in as root.

2.       Install NetBackup server and client software as explained in the NetBackup Installation Guide for UNIX.

3.       Make sure a valid license key for NetBackup for NDMP has been registered by entering the following command to list and add keys:

/usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd/get_license_key

1.       Insert the CD-ROM containing NetBackup for NDMP software in the drive.

2.       Change your working directory to the CD-ROM directory:

cd /cd_rom_directory

Where cd_rom_directory is the path to the directory where you can access the

CD-ROM. On some platforms, it may be necessary to mount this directory.

6. To install NetBackup for NDMP, execute the following:

./install

Since other NetBackup products are included on the CD-ROM, a menu appears.

7. Select NetBackup Add-On Product Software.

a. Select the NetBackup for NDMP option.

b. Enter q to quit the menu.

c. When asked if the list is correct, answer y.

1.       If this NetBackup for NDMP server is not your master server, also install your NDMP license key on the master.

2.       In a clustered environment, the above steps must be done on each node in the cluster.

Uninstalling NetBackup for NDMP

On the server where you initially loaded the NetBackup for NDMP software, do the following. This procedure results in total removal of the NetBackup for NDMP software.

Note In a cluster environment, you must first freeze the active node so that migrations do not occur during installation. For help freezing a service group, see the clustering section in the NetBackup High Availability System Administrator’s Guide for the cluster software you are running.

1.       Check the Activity Monitor in the Administration Console to make sure no NetBackup for NDMP backups are active or running (State field reads Done).

2.       If ltid is running, stop it (use the Activity Monitor > Daemons tab).

3.       Pre-6.0 NetBackup on Solaris only: if ndmpmoveragent is running (check the Activity Monitor > Processes tab), stop it by entering the following:

cd /usr/openv/volmgr/bin ./ndmpmoveragent.stop

4. To remove the NetBackup for NDMP package, enter the following: On Solaris:

pkgrm VRTSnbdmp

On other UNIX platforms:

rm -f /usr/openv/lib/libndmp_bpfsmap.s?rm -f /usr/openv/lib/libndmpclient.s?rm -f /usr/openv/volmgr/bin/set_ndmp_attrrm -f /usr/openv/share/version_ndmprm -f /usr/openv/netbackup/bin/ndmpmoveragent

where ?is a wildcard.

5. Restart ltid.

Note If uninstalling in a cluster environment, unfreeze the active node after the uninstall.

Authorizing Access to the NDMP Host

Before NetBackup can carry out backups, it must have access to the NDMP host. To authorize this access, use the following dialog from the NetBackup Administration Console on your NetBackup for NDMP master server. You can also use the NetBackup Device Configuration wizard to create this authorization.

Note Do the following on the master server (not media server) if you are going to create snapshots using the Advanced Client NAS_Snapshot method.

▼ To authorize NetBackup access to the NDMP host (from Administration Console)

1. On the NetBackup server: under Media and Device Management > Devices, click on NDMP Hosts. Under Actions, choose New > NDMP Host.

The NDMP host name dialog appears.

2. Enter the name of the NDMP server that NetBackup will back up.

Note This NDMP host name is case-sensitive. Whenever this host name is used (such as when configuring tape drives and storage units for this host), the name must be identical to the name entered here.

3. Click OK.The New NDMP Host dialog appears.

The term credentials refers to the username and password that NetBackup will use to access the NDMP host.

4. Specify the following:

Use gobal NDMP credentials for this NDMP host

Select this option to enable all NetBackup media servers under the master server to access this NDMP host using a pre-defined global NDMP login. This login is created under Host Properties > Master Server > Properties > NDMP, on the NDMP Global Credentials dialog.

Use the following credentials for this NDMP host on all media servers

Select this option to enable all NetBackup media servers connected to the NDMP host to access the NDMP host using the login you specify on this dialog:

◆ Username: the user name under which NetBackup will access the NDMP server. This user must have permission to execute NDMP commands.

Chapter 3, Configuring NDMP Backup to NDMP-Attached Devices 25

◆ Password and Confirm Password: enter the password for this user. Use different credentials for this NDMP host on each media server

Select this option to specify NDMP logins for particular NetBackup servers, then click Advanced Configuration. The Advanced NDMP Credentials dialog appears.

5. Click Add. The Add Credentials dialog appears.

6. Select a NetBackup server and specify the username and password it will use to access the NDMP host.

7. Click OK. NetBackup validates the username and password. The NetBackup server and username appear in the Advanced NDMP Credentials dialog.

8. If needed, click Add again to specify other servers and user names.

9. Repeat this procedure for each NDMP host that NetBackup will back up.

Access for Three-Way Backups and NDMP to Media Manager

To perform three-way backups, you must authorize access to the desired NDMP host as described in the previous section.

•                    Three-way backups: for the NDMP host name, specify the NDMP host that has no attached tape drive.

•                    NDMP to Media Manager backups: for the NDMP host name, specify the NDMP host that will be backed up to the media manager storage unit defined on the NetBackup server.

Media Manager Device Configuration

Adding a Robot Directly Attached to an NDMP Host

Using the NetBackup Administration Console:

1. Start the NetBackup Administration Console on the NetBackup for NDMP server as follows:

On Windows: from the Windows Start menu, select Programs, VERITAS NetBackup, NetBackup Administration Console.

On UNIX, enter the following:

/usr/openv/netbackup/bin/jnbSA &

1.       Select Media and Device Management > Devices in the left pane.

2.       On the Actions menu, select New, then select Robot... from the popup. The Add Robot dialog appears.

3.       On the Actions menu, select New, then select Robot... from the popup. The Add Robot dialog appears.

4.       For Media Manager host, specify the host that manages the EMM database (by default, this is the NetBackup master server).

5.       For Device host, use the pull-down to select the NetBackup media server.

6.       Specify Robot type and number as explained in the NetBackup Media Manager System Administrator’s Guide.

7.       Under Robot control, click Robot control is attached to an NDMP host.

8. For Robot device path, enter the device name of the robot. There is no need to include the NDMP host name as part of the device path.

9. For NDMP host name, enter the name of the NDMP host to which the robot is attached.

10. Specify the Bus, Target, and LUN values if they are required by the NDMP host. By default, the bus, target and lun values are 0.

11. Click OK.

A popup message asks if you want to stop and restart the device manager service (or daemon). Click Yes.

Adding a Drive

Using the NetBackup Administration Console:

1.       Select Media and Device Management > Devices in the left pane.

2.       On the Actions menu, select New, then select New Drive (on UNIX, Tape Drive) from the popup. The Add Drive dialog appears.

      For Drive Name: Enter the name of the drive.

For Host and path information:

1. Click Add to specify a drive path.

b. For Device host, select the name of the NetBackup media server. Use the pull-down to select media servers already defined, or click Add to enter a new one.

c. For Path (called No rewind device on UNIX), enter the device file name of the tape drive, such as nrst2a. Refer to the NAS vendor documentation for your drive for the correct format of the device file name.

As an alternative, you can use the following command to find the device file name for the drive, if the NDMP host is running NDMP protocol V3 or later:

tpautoconf -probe ndmp_host_name

d. Click This path is for a Network Attached Storage device.

e. For NDMP Host, use the drop-down to select the name of the NAS filer to which the drive is attached.

f. When finished, click OK.

1.       Back on the Add a New Drive dialog, enter the Drive information as required.

2.       Repeat this procedure for each drive that must be added.

When asked whether or not to restart the Media Manager device daemon and all robotic daemons, click Yes.

Verify that the NDMP host can access the required robots and drives.

To verify NDMP host access to the required devices, run the following commands on a NetBackup media server that is authorized to access the NDMP host:

tpautoconf -verify ndmp_host_name

tpautoconf -probe ndmp_host_name

The -verify option verifies that the NetBackup server can access the NDMP host; the -probe option lists the devices that are visible to the NDMP host.

Checking a Media Manager Configuration

On the NetBackup for NDMP server, do the following:

•                    On UNIX, execute /usr/openv/volmgr/bin/vmpsand verify that ltid, vmd, avrd, and any required robotic daemons are active. On Windows, go to the NetBackup Administration Console and use the Activity Monitor (Processes tab) to verify that the above processes are active.

•                    From the NetBackup Administration Console, use the Device Monitor to ensure that the drive is in the UP state.

•               Adding Volumes to a Media Manager Configuration

•                    Use the NetBackup Media and Device Management utility to add the volumes that you will be using for the NDMP host backups. See the Media Manager System Administrator’s Guide for instructions.

•                    Note When specifying the Robot Control Host for a volume that will be in a robot, specify the host name for the NetBackup for NDMP server, not the NDMP host.

Verifying NDMP Password and/or Robot Connection

When you authorize NetBackup access to the NDMP host and configure robots using the Administration Console, NetBackup automatically verifies your NDMP credentials and the robotic configuration. If desired, you can re-verify them. For example:

tpautoconf -verify ndmp_host_name

A successful verification looks like the following:

Connecting to host "stripes" as user "root"...Waiting for connect notification message...Opening session--attempting with NDMP protocol version 4...Opening session--successful with NDMP protocol version 4

host supports MD5 authenticationGetting MD5 challenge from host...Logging in using MD5 method...Host info is:

host name "stripes" os type "NetApp" os version "NetApp Release 7.0.0.1" host id "0033625811"

Login was successfulHost supports LOCAL backup/restoreHost supports 3-way backup/restore

Adding NDMP Storage Units

1.       In the NetBackup Administration Console, select NetBackup Management > Storage Units.

2.       On the Actions menu, select New > Storage Unit. The New Storage Unit dialog appears.

1.       For Storage unit name, enter a unique name for the storage unit.

2.       For Storage unit type, select NDMP.

3.       For On demand only: this specifies whether the storage unit is available only when a policy or schedule specifically requests it. If this option is not used, the storage unit is available to any NDMP policy or schedule.

4.       For Storage device, select the type of device for this storage unit.

5.       For NDMP host, specify the NDMP host where the tape drive is physically attached.

Creating an NDMP Policy

On the NetBackup master server, create an NDMP policy to configure backups of the NDMP host.

Note You can use the Backup Policy Configuration wizard to create NDMP policies.

Creating an NDMP policy is very similar to creating other NetBackup policy types. The following topics explain the differences when creating NDMP policies.

See the NetBackup System Administrator’s Guide for more information on NetBackup policies and the Policy utility.

Note To configure a policy for the NAS_Snapshot method and SnapVault, see the NetBackup Advanced Client System Administrator’s Guide.

Attributes

Specify the following policy attributes:

•                    Policy Type: NDMP

•                    ◆ Policy Storage Unit:

•        If the NDMP host has more than one storage unit and you want to direct backups for this policy to a specific storage unit, specify the name of that storage unit.

•        For a three-way backup, specify a storage unit that was defined for the target NDMP host with attached tape.

•        For NDMP backup to Media Manager devices, specify a Media Manager storage unit defined for a device connected to a NetBackup media server (see the “Configuring NDMP Backup to NetBackup Media Servers” chapter).

Clients

In the client list, specify the following for each client in an NDMP policy:

◆ Hostname

Name of the NDMP host

◆ Hardware and operating system

 NDMP NDMP

Files

The Backup Selections list must specify directories from the perspective of the NDMP host.

Two examples:

/home/dir1/

/vol1

The following Backup Selections capabilities are NOT supported for an NDMP policy:

•                    Wildcards in pathnames. For example, /home/* is an invalid entry.

•                    Individual file names. Only directory or volume names are allowed.

•                    Exclude list (because client software is not installed on the NDMP host). You can, however, exclude files by using the SET keyword as shown under “Using Environment Variables in Backup Selections list.” The SET option allows you to exclude files on a backup. The format is vendor dependent; refer to the vendor’s documentation for more details on which variable can be passed and in what format.

Schedules

You can specify any of the following backup types in a schedule for an NDMP policy:

•                    Full

•                    Cumulative Incremental

•                    Differential Incremental

Specify Override policy storage unit only if this client of NetBackup (the NDMP host) has more than one storage unit and you want to use a specific storage unit for this schedule. In this case, the client must be the only client in this NDMP policy.

Using Environment Variables in Backup Selections list

NDMP allows you to use environment variables to pass configuration parameters to an NDMP host with each backup. NDMP environment variables can be one of the following types.

•                    Defined as optional by the NDMP protocol specification. You can set these variables.

•                    Specific to an NDMP host vendor. You can set these variables.

•                    Reserved for use by NetBackup:

FILESYSTEMLEVELDIRECTEXTRACTACL_START

In NetBackup, environment variables can be set within the Backup Selections list by specifying one or more SET directives.

Note In the Backup Selections list, the SET directive must be the first in the list, followed by the file systems or volumes to back up. To obtain up-to-date information on environment variables relating to particular NAS vendors, refer to “NetBackup for NDMP Information on the Web”

In general, the syntax of a SET directive is as follows:

SET variable = value

Where variable is the name of the environment variable and value is the value that is assigned to it. The value can be enclosed in single or double quotes, and must be enclosed in quotes if it contains a space character. For example:

SET ABC = 22

SET DEF = "hello there"

SET type = tar

Setting a variable equal to no value unsets that variable. For example:

SET ABC =

Variables accumulate as the Backup Selections list is processed. For example, if Backup Selections contains the following entries:

/vol/vol1

SET HIST = N

/vol/vol2

SET DEF = 20

SET SAMPLE = all

/vol/vol3

Directory/vol/vol1 will be backed up without any user-specified environment variables. The second directory (/vol/vol2) will be backed up with the variable HIST set to N. The third directory (/vol/vol3) will be backed up with all three of the environment variables set.

If an environment variable appears again later in the list, the value of this variable overrides the previous value of the variable.

The values used in each backup are saved and provided to subsequent restores of the directory. The NDMP host may have environment variables that are set internally and these are also saved for restores.