The normal procedure when setting up a backup domain

an article added by: Paul Robertson at 04172008


Data recovery :: The normal procedure when setting up a backup domain ::

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NetBackup supports many different UNIX platforms. To simplify the installation procedure, an installation script is provided that interfaces with the specific operating system. This script will work with all the supported UNIX servers for both the master server and media server installation. The easiest way to install the software on a master server is to load the CD-ROM containing the NetBackup release software for the appropriate operating system in the local CD-ROM drive. You then change your working directory to the CD-ROM. It is not necessary to change directory to the different subdirectories at this point, since the install script that is provided will control all this. The installation CD-ROM contains the client software for all the UNIX clients, as well as all the released documentation. The install script determines the type of platform on which you are installing and selects the appropriate binaries to support that operating system.

After locating the proper install script, your next step is to execute the script. To install the master server software, you select 1. The script then checks to see if this is a new installation or an upgrade. If it is a new installation, you are prompted to provide the location where you want the software to be installed. NetBackup must always have an origin from the /usr directory, so if you elect to have the software loaded to another location, a symbolic link will be created in /usr for a directory, openv, that will point to the location you selected. On Sun systems, applications are not normally allowed to be loaded in the /usr directory. Therefore, you will be prompted to install the package in /opt/openv, but a link will still be created as /usr/ openv that points to /opt/openv. If it is an upgrade, the binaries for the old version are moved and the new version replaces them in the same location. In the case of an upgrade, the install script also checks for processes that are running that must be stopped to allow for a clean upgrade process. If there are NetBackup processes running, the script terminates them. You will also be prompted to provide a list of other UNIX platform types besides the master server that will be clients. This allows all of the appropriate client binaries to be loaded onto the master. After you have provided the needed information, the requested client binaries are loaded in a client directory on the master server to be used when you install NetBackup on the clients within this NetBackup domain. The binaries are pushed from the master to the clients. The install script eventually prompts you to enter a license key. You must have either a permanent license key for all the options and features you have purchased or an evaluation key that will turn on all the features for an evaluation period.

This is where you decide if you are installing a master server or a media server. Since this is a master server installation, you would answer yes, which allows the script to continue. This allows the script to set up the system configuration files to support a master server installation. The script also extracts and installs the NetBackup Java software to allow use of the Java interfaces. In almost all cases, this will also be the master server, and that is the default supplied by NetBackup. As the script finishes the installation procedure, you are asked if you want to create example templates and if you want to start the NetBackup processes so you can continue with the installation and configuration. If this is your first experience with the product, having the templates to use as examples is worthwhile. If you are a seasoned user, you might want to save a little time and space and skip these. This basically finishes the software installation for the master server. After you have installed any media servers, you are ready to go to the configuration step. Installation on a media server is very similar to installation on a master server. The primary difference is in the answer to the prompt, 'Is this server the master?' By answering no, you are prompted to supply the master server name and any other media server names. This results in the correct server software being installed, as well as the configuration file being updated to reflect the other known servers in your backup domain.

Two basic methods are used to push the initial client software out to UNIX clients from a UNIX master server. You can either use the remote shell method, which requires a .rhost file on each client, or you can use the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) method, which uses FTP to move the client software out to each configured client. Once the client software has been installed, the .rhost files can be removed, as the NetBackup processes will handle any future updates. The installation of the NetBackup server software on a Windows server is a simple process. You load the Windows server CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive, and an install shield should start. By selecting NetBackup Installation, you are presented with three options: Check VERITAS Web Site for Product Alerts, Start NetBackup Server Installation, and Start NetBackup Client Installation. For a master server installation, you select Start NetBackup Server Installation. At this point, you must either enter a valid license key, which allows you to continue with the master server or media server installation, or you can install another option, the NetBackup Remote Administration Console. This tool allows you to administer the servers within your NetBackup domain from a Windows system.

As seen earlier, the media server installation is very similar to the master server installation. During the media server installation, you provide the name of the master server and any other media servers. This allows NetBackup to set up all the configuration files to properly reflect your backup domain.

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