CB/VCB Configuration Questions

[lapidarynewbie]

I'm a VMware newbie needing some clarification on VCB proxy and how it relates to the VMs and the actual backup software (in our case slated to be Backup Exec 12.5). Our configuration is basically a self-contained "network" of 6 VMs on one machine running ESXi 3 (to be upgraded to Infrastructure 3). Two of the VMs are running Windows Server 2003; three are running Linux (CentOS 5.x); and one is running Windows XP (basically a management station for the entire application system). All VMs share one local hard drive (RAID array) system (i.e. no SAN/NAS). We also have an HP LTO3 tape drive to which the backups will be streamed.

1. Can the VCB Proxy be one of the Windows VMs?

2. Can one of the VMs be used as the Backup Exec media server? Can it be the same machine as the VCB Proxy?

I know these are probably elementary questions but still, we could use your help in clarifying this. (If there are some white papers or documents or blogs that might clarify this, then simply point me to them rather than wasting your time keying a response.)

Many thanks for your help!

[whynotq]

yes the VCB proxy can be one of the windows VMs but the problem you may get with the backup media server is the pass through of the tape drive. if it is scsi attached to the esx server then you should be able to pass the device through in which case it may well work, if it in a jukebox of some sort then you may get it to work by using npiv for SAN attached devices, something i'm still trying to get working myself check out the Guest Backup guide on the vmware site and then take a look at the release notes and admin guide for your chosen application.

[lapidarynewbie]

Many thanks for the information! It was a great help!

:smileyblush: