Issue
What tape devices are approved for use with NDMP data management applications (DMAs) and Mirapoint appliances?
Solution
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NOTE: Before reading this article, Mirapoint highly recommends reading the latest version of the Mirapoint Backup and Restore Guide. |
There are two types tape device configurations approved for use with Mirapoint appliances and NDMP DMAs (for example, BakBone NetVault, Veritas NetBackup, Legato NetWorker, etc.). They are:
- Direct-connect configurations - Those where the tape drive or library is attached to the Mirapoint Message Server for which the backup is to be performed.
- Three-way configurations - Those where the tape drive or library is not attached to the Mirapoint Message Server for which the backup is to be performed, but are directly connected to either the server where the data management application (DMA) is installed, or to some other server running software provided by the DMA vendor (for example Veritas, Legato, etc.), which allows the DMA which is running on a different server to control the tape library's media changer device.
There are five approved configurations; three direct-connect configurations, and two three-way configurations. Each is described in this document. To see which of these configurations is supported by your DMA vendor, consult the vendor's documentation.
Important Concepts
The following terminology is used throughout this document:
Data management application (DMA) - This is the NDMP client application (for example Veritas NetBackup, Legato NetWorker, etc.), which runs on a Unix or some other platform server (for example Solaris or Windows).
Message Server - This is the Mirapoint appliance that is the object of the backup; the data from this appliance is backed-up by the DMA. If a tape drive is directly connected to the Mirapoint appliance, it must be a SCSI bus connection.
Tape drive - This can either be a stand-alone tape drive (for example a DLT8000), or part of a tape library/media changer (for example an Exabyte 17D, FastStor, SureStore 2/20, etc.).
Tape library - Also known as a media changer, this is referred to as a robot in the NDMP client configuration and setup process (see Configuring Veritas NetBackup Version 4.5 for NDMP and Configuring Veritas NetBackup Version 5.1 for NDMP). Tape libraries include a media changer and tape drive in one unit (for example the Exabyte 17D, FastStore, SureStore 2/20, etc.).
Other servers - This can be any other server connected to your network, including another Mirapoint appliance. In three-way configurations, this server might be directly connected to the tape drive (housed within the tape library). If connected to a Mirapoint appliance, the tape drive connection must be a SCSI bus connection.
Direct-Connect Configurations
Direct-connect configurations are those where the tape drive or library is attached to the Mirapoint Message Server for which the backup is to be performed. There are two direct-connect configurations:
Configuration #1: Using a Tape Library
The DMA server is directly connected to the tape library's media changer device. The DMA controls the media changer (see Figure 1 below).
Figure 1 Direct-Connect Configuration Using a Tape Library
The Message Server is directly connected to the tape drive housed within the tape library; this connection must be a SCSI bus connection.
The DMA and Message Server communicate over the Ethernet network.
Configuration #2: Using a Stand-Alone Tape Drive
The DMA server is not connected to the stand-alone tape drive in this configuration (see Figure 2)
Figure 2 Direct-Connect Configuration Using a Stand-Alone Tape Drive
The Mirapoint Message Server is connected to the stand-alone tape drive; this connection must be a SCSI bus connection.
The DMA and Message Server communicate over the Ethernet network.
Configuration #3: Using a Stand-Alone Tape Library
The DMA server is not connected to the stand-alone tape library in this configuration. It controls the tape library's media changer device through the Ethernet (see Figure 3 below).
Figure 3 Direct-Connect Configuration Using a Stand-Alone Tape Drive
The Mirapoint Message Server is connected to the stand-alone tape library. There is only one connection between the Message Server and the tape library, and it must be a SCSI bus connection.
The DMA and Message Server communicate over the Ethernet network.
Three-Way Configurations
Three-way configurations are those where the tape drive or library is not attached to the Mirapoint Message Server for which the backup is to be performed. There are two three-way configurations:
Configuration #1: Using A Shared Tape Library Connection
The DMA server is directly connected to the tape library's media changer device. The DMA controls the media changer (see Figure 4 below).
Figure 4 Three-Way Configuration Using a Tape Library
Some other server, which can be a second Message Server, is directly connected to the tape drive housed within the tape library. If this server is a second Mirapoint Message Server (not the system to be backed-up), the connection must be a SCSI bus connection.
The Message Server that is the object of the backup does not have a tape drive or library directly connected to it.
The DMA, the other server, and Message Server all communicate over the Ethernet network.
Configuration #2: Using a Third-Party Server Tape Library
The tape library is connected to a server running software provided by the DMA vendor (for example Veritas, Legato, etc.), which allows the DMA which is running on a different server to control the tape library's media changer device (see Figure 5 below).
Figure 5 Three-Way Configuration #2
Some other server, which can be a second Message Server, is directly connected to the media changer portion of the tape library, and to the tape drive housed within the tape library. If this server is a second Mirapoint Message Server (not the system to be backed-up), the connection must be a SCSI bus connection.
The Mirapoint Message Server that is the object of the backup does not have a tape drive or library directly connected to it.
The DMA, the other server, and Message Server all communicate over the Ethernet.
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