VMWare backup and restore with cascading snapvault snapmirror relations on ClusterMode

[heinowalther]

Hi there...

We are trying to implement a solution consisting of SnapCreator 4.1, 3 x Clusters with ClusterMode 8.2, VMWare (NFS datastores), we want to use cascading backups, with first SnapVault from production to the SV_Cluster, then SnapMirror from SV_Cluster to SM_Cluster.

We have tried to fiddle around with the SC 4.1 plugins, but somehow it does not update the SnapMirror relation, is this supported at all?

Also when restoring, only the volume is snaprestored, nothing is done on the VMWare hosts...  something is missing here?

Same problem when trying to mount, which only results in a FlexClone being created, again, no action on the VMWare hosts...

Has anyone done this?  And does anyone want to share the scripts used to restore/mount ?  this might save many people a lot of time...

I was thinking that the PowerShell Modules for VCS could be used here to mount the snapshots and to do restores?

I hope someone will point in the right direction ?

Kind regards,

Heino Walther

[ktenzer]

Ah I thought this was SC 4.0 which doesnt support CLustered ONTAP 8.2.

SC 4.1 does support Clustered ONTAP 8.2 and this does work I can assure you.

Can you please send logs and a config? Ideally run an scdump and send us the zip file.

Regards,

Keith

[heinowalther]

Hi Keith

I will get the logs shortly.  We have a setup where we are able to backup, and do the Snapvault part, but the SnapMirror is not updated...

Are you sure the cascading backup works at all?

Also the mount and restore options needs some scripting in order to talk with the VirtualCenter server to either dismount/remount (with restores), or mount.

Can you point towards the scripts to enable this?

/Heino

[ktenzer]

I cant point you to any scripts for integrating with vCenter but you might want to ask on those forums. I am sure someone somewhere has something. I will check internally with some folks and see if anyone has anything.

As for cascading snapmirror. SC 4.1 only supports this feature for 7mode. You can do snapvault and snapmirror in cDot but not a combination of both. There should be a user friendly error message saying we dont support this? If not I will open defect to add one.

Regards,

Keith

[ktenzer]

BTW please send logs, though we dont support this we may still be able to get it working

I will take a look

Keith

[carstensejer]

Hi Keith

Just uploading the logs from Heino. Seems like SnapCreator can't find the SnapMirror relationship.

sv01 is SnapVault vserver and sm01 is the SnapMirror vserver.

########## Running Snapvault Update on destination sv01:wfa_nfs1_vault001 using snapshot SnapCreator-daily_20131206120408 ##########

[2013-12-06 12:05:16,414] INFO: STORAGE-02120: Updating SnapVault relationship [prod:prod:wfa_nfs1 -> sv01:sv01:wfa_nfs1_vault001] based on Snapshot copy [SnapCreator-daily_20131206120408]

[2013-12-06 12:05:16,414] INFO: STORAGE-02121: Updating SnapVault relationship [prod:prod:wfa_nfs1 -> sv01:sv01:wfa_nfs1_vault001] based on Snapshot copy [SnapCreator-daily_20131206120408] started successfully.

########## Checking SnapVault status for source relationship prod:prod:wfa_nfs1 ##########

[2013-12-06 12:05:17,094] INFO: STORAGE-02110: Retrieving SnapVault status

[2013-12-06 12:05:17,094] INFO: STORAGE-02111: Retrieving SnapVault status on controller [sv01] finished successfully.

[2013-12-06 12:05:17,094] WARN: SnapVault update on destination sv01:wfa_nfs1_vault001 is running, status [transferring]! Sleeping 1 minute

########## Checking SnapVault status for source relationship prod:prod:wfa_nfs1 ##########

[2013-12-06 12:06:17,790] INFO: STORAGE-02110: Retrieving SnapVault status

[2013-12-06 12:06:17,790] INFO: STORAGE-02111: Retrieving SnapVault status on controller [sv01] finished successfully.

[2013-12-06 12:06:17,790] INFO: SnapVault update for source relationship prod:sv01:wfa_nfs1_vault001 finished successfully

########## Running Snapshot copy Create on Secondary sv01 ##########

[2013-12-06 12:06:27,884] INFO: Snapmirror is not defined

########## Post Data Transfer commands ##########

[2013-12-06 12:06:27,885] INFO: No commands defined

[2013-12-06 12:06:27,885] INFO: Post Data Transfer commands finished successfully

########## Post Ntap commands ##########

[2013-12-06 12:06:27,888] INFO: No Post Ntap commands defined

[2013-12-06 12:06:27,888] INFO: Post Ntap commands finished successfully

########## ARCHIVE COMMANDS ##########

[2013-12-06 12:06:27,890] INFO: Archive commands are not defined

########## Running Snapshot copy Delete on Primary ##########

########## Running Snapshot copy Delete on Secondary ##########

########## Running Snapshot copy Delete on Secondary sv01 ##########

########## Application cleanup ##########

[2013-12-06 12:06:27,979] INFO: Performing cleanup on : vibe

########## Application cleanup finished successfully ##########

########## Agent Workflow Finalization ##########

[2013-12-06 12:06:36,126] INFO: Agent Workflow Finalization started

[2013-12-06 12:06:40,329] INFO: [localhost:9090 (4.1.0.1)] Finalized workflow with id 38

[2013-12-06 12:06:40,329] INFO: Agent Workflow Finalization finished successfully

########## Snap Creator Community Release 4.1.0c finished successfully ##########

[2013-12-06 12:06:40,345] INFO: INFO: NetApp Snap Creator Framework finished successfully "(Action: backup)"

-Carsten

[sivar]

Carsten,
Could you please email me a scdump for this?

My email address sivar at netapp.com

At the least, please email me the config.

Thanks,
Siva Ramanathan

[carstensejer]

Hi Siva

Emailed you the scdump yesterday, did you receive it?

-Carsten

[sivar]

Hello Carsten,

Sorry. I got sidetracked with another work.

Yes. I have received your scdump.

I am reviewing it right now, and will update you soon with my findings.

Regards,
Siva Ramanathan

[carstensejer]

Hi Siva

We got it working after your mail with the config adjustments. The following helped:

SNAPMIRROR_CASCADING_VOLUMES=sv01:wfa_nfs1_vault001

NTAP_SNAPMIRROR_CASCADING_UPDATE=Y

Will there be GUI support in 4.1 GA for the SV -> SM cascading setup?

[sivar]

Hello Carsten,

I am glad it is working now.

Unfortunately, 4.1GA does not include the GUI support for this feature.

I will request the team to consider including in the upcoming release.

Regards,

Siva Ramanathan

Snap Creator Sustaining Engineer

Snap Creator Community Moderator

(919)-476-8217 Desk Phone

www.netapp.com/snapcreator<http://www.netapp.com/snapcreator>