VI 2.5 ESX 3.5, VCB 1.5, Netbackup 6.5.1 - Isolate/DMZ VMs backup problem

[LifeisGood]

Guys I need your help..

My VMware infrastructure looks like this..

Virtual Center 2.5 works great:)

10 ESX 3.5 servers works great:)

VCB 1.5 works great:)

Veritas Netbackup 6.5.1 - i have specified the Virtual Center server and the VCB proxy server which is the same as the Netbackup server. Everything works great.. I can see all the VMs when crating a backup policy and I can backup all the VMs.

Problem.. I added another ESX server and created a new virtual machine port which is attached to a physical NIC which is isolate/DMZ from the network. I have created some VMs and placed them on that isolated virtual machine port which I need to backup regularly.

My problem, I start creating a backup policy in Netbackup, I can not see the isolated VMs. Everything that I have read on Netbackup, points to using FQDN for the VMs that are going to be backup. Well these VMs are Isolate and can not be ping/network connectivity from the network where the Virtual center, Netbackup server/VCB proxy server reside. I added these VMs to the host file (IP and FQDN) in the VCB proxi server and on the Virtual Center server. When i tried to create the backup policy, I could see the VMs but I get a policy validation failed "Policy validation checks from the advanced client configuration failed. Advanced client backups cannot be performed until configured correctly". That is telling me that Netbackup tries to make sure that the VMs are in the network and reachable and if Netbackup can not see the VMs on the network it will give that error.

My questions.... Does Netbackup need to see the VMs by using the FQDN to perform backups? Can Netbackup perform backups of VMs that are isolated from the Network? If it can, how? How are you guys performing backups of isolated/DMZ VMs?

Thank you and your help is highly appreciated.

Shin Gouki

[dconvery · Accepted solution]

First off...get on NBU 6.5.3 I am surprised you have consistent backups with 6.5.1...

You will need to create a bpstart_notify_script and bpend_notify_script to take care of these VMs using moref. Take a look at this doc ->http://viops.vmware.com/home/docs/DOC-1392 also, I discussed NBU and VCB at VMworld. Take a look at this companion doc ->http://viops.vmware.com/home/docs/DOC-1392

Dave Convery

VMware vExpert 2009

http://www.dailyhypervisor.com

Careful. We don't want to learn from this.

Bill Watterson, "Calvin and Hobbes"

[LifeisGood]

Dave Convery,

Thank you for the help.. I'm upgrading to 6.5.3 right now and reading over your paper. I'm not familiar with bpstart_notify_script, bpend_notify_script or moref but if your doc has that info, I should be good. I'll post once I'm done going over the doc and applying what I have learned on the problem. Once again thank you very much... Shin Gouki

[dconvery]

Sorry, there was a typo about the companion doc for NBU check out this doc too -> http://viops.vmware.com/home/docs/DOC-1133

Dave Convery

VMware vExpert 2009

http://www.dailyhypervisor.com

Careful. We don't want to learn from this.

Bill Watterson, "Calvin and Hobbes"

[LifeisGood]

Dave Convery,

Duddddddeeeeee, after installing 6.5.3 the issue was fixed. I could see the VMs on the DMZ when creating the policy. I'm able to backup everything fine from anywhare now. i only have a issue restoring the VM to the original location.. I'm getting an error, the VM restore to the proxy and then I have to manually use VM converter to place it in the infrastructure. That should be an easy fix and will work on it tomorrow..... Duddddeee thank you very much for the help.. Shin Gouki (Street fighter Alpha3 & MAME)

[dconvery]

Glad it helped..As for your new issue with restoring, NBU may be trying to restore directly to the "owner" ESX server instead of through vCenter. As long as port 443 is open to the COS, it should work. Worst case, doing it manually with Converter isn't that bad for recovering a few VMs if needed.

Dave Convery

VMware vExpert 2009

Careful. We don't want to learn from this.

Bill Watterson, "Calvin and Hobbes"