Netapp backup advice

[MarkDFuj]

Hi guys.

I will be using a FAS Netapp device to to store and backup VMs for a 3 vSphere server cluster with 23 vms running.

I want to do a normal backup regeme of 1 weekly block backup and 5 or 6 incrementals.

I have the standard software pack that comes with the FAS.

What would you suggest to accomplish this ?

Thanks in advance.

[vmroyale]

Hello.

What software do you currently use to backup your physical servers? Are you looking to leverage the existing investment here or go with something entirely new?

Good Luck!

[MarkDFuj]

Hi fella.

Thanks for replying.

The solution is going to be a brand new one. It will be put in an existing datacentre but I am constrained to the VCB orNetapp software to back up.

[sisi]

If you are searching for an easy and lowcost solution, Vmware data recovery.

It's easy to manage from your virtual center and it is free to download with your vcenter licence. Retention policy at your own needs.

In many windows vms you can also restore single files with a recovery client.

The number of Vms to backup it is not too large in your situation. Follow documentation and limits of the appliance and you will not fall in troubles.

You can store backups on a dedicated lun on netap (adding a vmdk to vdr appliance), but the best is to create a backup share out of the netap container using a supported share.

I don't use netap snapshots because of space occupation on Fas (i prefer to use it for running vms or data) and to prevent my backups from any serious Fas hw disaster.

I'm storing backups on another Fas, i use 2 vdr appliances and i'm backing up 100 vms with differents retention policies.

P.S. And this free you from any backup-vendor (vcb)

Mark

[RParker]

If you are searching for an easy and lowcost solution, Vmware data recovery.

Uh... I wouldn't recommend VDR to anyone at this point, VDR is NOT ready for production, and I certainly wouldn't call it reliable.

[MarkDFuj]

Thanks for the response sisi.

I will take that as a 2nd option. What I would really like to do is to use the NetApp software as a solution, take 1 full backup a week and incrementals once a day.

What would be my easiest and best solution ?

[vmroyale]

The easiest solution might be to look into the SnapManager for Virtual Infrastructure product from NetApp. The best solution is one that will fit the business requirements of the shop you are deploying this in. :smileyhappy:

[sisi]

Uhm. It depends. If you'll spend enough time to test and understand how it works...it is not bad at all.

Other solutions like vcb with symantec or other vendors, or other virtual oriented backup solutions (with relevant cost)...are not so better than vdr.

And troubles occur. I worked with vcb...then with vranger...now with vdr: i can say "i always spent time, but now i do not spend money".

[sisi]

Netapp snap mirroring is expensive, but good for disaster & recovery. If you have a budget i'd point to vmware site recovery.

But we were talking about back up, not D&R!!

So...if you want to backup vms running on netapp...on the same netap...and you don't care about space saving...the best solution is netap snapshots.

They are easy to configure and you can set your retention policy: 1 full weekly, 1 incremental daily on the volumes housing the vms.

But be careful: restoring a snapshot will restore all vms on that LUN!

[MarkDFuj]

Thanks for your advice.