Ask the Expert: Enhanced Server Recoveries with HomeBase and a Networker Backup solution

Hi Emilio

How would I go about creating a Networker compliant backup for use as part of a HomeBase recovery?

Thx

James

Hello James,

A compliant backup manager must be capable of performing two tasks for a successful HomeBase recovery. The backup manager  must have the capability to:

• Backup open or locked operating system and application files.
• Exclude individual files from being recovered during the data restore.

The Networker backup manager has the capability to perform the tasks with Microsoft Windows, Linux, and UNIX operating systems.

When configuring the Networker backup, a full system backup should be configured by setting the Save set option to "All".  The "saveset:All" option will create a backup of all the available file systems on the Networker Client.  On a Windows client this would include the "C:\" partition which generally contains the operating system files.  On a Linux or UNIX system it would consist of the all the mounted file systems which would include the root "/" volume.

On Microsoft operating systems, the Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) technology is leveraged to accomplish the backup of open or locked files.   Starting with Networker 7.6.2 the Microsoft Windows 2008 and 7 client “saveset=all“ configuration will no longer perform a VSS saveset of the operating system files .  To revert to the VSS saveset functionality simply add "VSS:DISASTER_RECOVERY=off" save operation attribute to the Networker Client properties.  The "Save Operations field attribute" section is located in the "Apps and Modules" tab of the Networker Client properties.

Regards,

Emilio

Hi Emilio,

My question relates to when and how best to schedule HomeBase profiling so that it matches the data backup.

I currently have the HomeBase profile creation scheduled 2 hours before my backup window using the HomeBase scheduler.  Is there a more efficient way to schedule the profile creation during Networker backups?

Thanks,

Gareth

Hello Gareth,

It is best practice to gather the HomeBase profile as close to the backup window to prevent inconsistencies between the two items.  There is integration between the HomeBase and Networker product, which allows the execution of the HomeBase profile prior to starting the Networker backup. 

The integration requires that the HomeBase Server be defined, in the Networker configuration, and that each Networker Client be configured to execute the profile creation. 

To define the HomeBase Server in the Networker configuration:

1. Open the Networker Management Console.
2. Select the Configuration window.
3. In the left pane tree view, right click the Networker Server name and select "Properties".
4. Select the "Configuration" tab in the Networker Server Properties window.
5. In the BMR section, enter the HomeBase Server name in the "BMR server" field.

To configure the individual Networker Clients:

1. Open the Networker Management Console.
2. Select the Configuration window.
3. In the left pane tree view, browse to "[Networker_Server] -> Groups".
4. Select the group that contains the Networker saveset definitions for the HomeBase compliant backup.
5. In the right pane detail window, right click on the Networker client and select "Properties".
6. Select the "Globals (2 of2)" tab in the Client Properties window.
7. In the BMR section, check the BMR option and enter the HomeBase Agent batch license in the "BMR options" field with a proceeding "-L".  For example, if the HomeBase Agent batch license is "1234-1234-1234-1234" then enter "-L 1234-1234-1234-1234" in the "BMR options" field.
8. Perform steps 5 through 7 for any other Networker Clients.

Once the integration has been configured, the HomeBase profile will be executed at the start of the scheduled Networker backup.

Regards,

Emilio

I have integrated my Networker Server with my HomeBase configuration.  I noticed that the Networker HomeBase profile execution fails and generates a generic message indicating the BMR portion failed.  If I manually execute the HomeBase profile creation, it will complete as expected.  Is Networker using a different method to gather the HomeBase profile?

Hello Joel,

An extra step is added to the Networker backup process when the HomeBase profile execution is configured.

When the Networker backup is started, the NetWorker Backup and Recover Server (NSRD) process validates if the BMR option configured for the Networker Client.  If the option is configured, the NSRD process spawns an nsrbmr process on the Networker client.  The NSRD process then waits for an exit status from the nsrbmr process, before moving forward with the Networker Backup. 

Within the nsrbmr process there will be a HomeBase Agent Batch license validation and then it will execute the HomeBase profile creation.  If the message in the Networker Management Console does not provide enough detail, then the nsrbmr process may be manually executed with the following syntax: 

    nsrbmr -B [HomeBase_Server] -s [Networker_Server] -O -L [HomeBase_Agent_Batch_License]

To obtain verbose output during the nsrbmr execution, add the -D option with level 9 to the syntax:

     nsrbmr -D 9 -B [HomeBase_Server] -s [Networker_Server] -O -L [HomeBase_Agent_Batch_License]

If the output does not provide sufficient insight, then I would suggest opening an EMC Service Request for assistance.

Regards,

Emilio