ONTAP Hardware

FAS3160 active/active cluster and backup with NDMP via single fibre channel

adnovum
2,950 Views

Hi,

We have a FAS3160 system that is configured as active/active cluster. There are two fibre channel multipath loops (one for fibre channel disks and one for sata disks).

We want to use Symantec Netbackup using NDMP over fibre channel to back up our data to a Quantum PX506 tape library which is directly attached to the FAS head. We have currently this setup using a single FAS3140. Backing up with NDMP over ethernet is too slow.

Problem: There is only one fibre connection on the tape library and we don't have any fibre channel switches. Does someone know the answers for following questions?

(a) Is it sufficent that one attaches the tape library just to one controller (e.g. controller A)? Or is it required that all controllers have the identical setup?

(b) Will we be able also to back up the disks that are controlled by controller B?

(c) Or will we only be unable to do backup if controller A has failed and controller B is the only active one?

Thanks in advance. Best regards,

Bernd

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

aborzenkov
2,950 Views

You should distinguish between library connection and tape drive connection. Library connection is for control only and usually is done to single system (except in some high available configuration). It does not really matter which system will physically control library.

You can connect tape drive to one head and use it to backup via NDMP from second head, but in this case traffic will flow via LAN. Only the first head will be capable to backup directly to tape. But usually libraries have more than one tape drive, so you can allocate tape to each head.

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3 REPLIES 3

aborzenkov
2,951 Views

You should distinguish between library connection and tape drive connection. Library connection is for control only and usually is done to single system (except in some high available configuration). It does not really matter which system will physically control library.

You can connect tape drive to one head and use it to backup via NDMP from second head, but in this case traffic will flow via LAN. Only the first head will be capable to backup directly to tape. But usually libraries have more than one tape drive, so you can allocate tape to each head.

radek_kubka
2,950 Views

Hi,

(a) Is it sufficent that one attaches the tape library just to one controller (e.g. controller A)?

Yes, this is fine.

(b) Will we be able also to back up the disks that are controlled by controller B?

Yes, it is called "Storage system-to-tape attached to another storage system" (http://now.netapp.com/NOW/knowledge/docs/ontap/rel73_vs/html/ontap/tapebkup/protecting/reference/r_oc_prot_common-ndmp-tape-backup-topologies.html) & if memory serves right, NetBackup fully supports this topology.

(c) Or will we only be unable to do backup if controller A has failed and controller B is the only active one?

No backup if the tape library is connected to controller A & this particular controller fails (rather obvious, but not a big issue in my opinion, as backup by its nature does not necesarily has to be 24/7 available)

Regards,

Radek

adnovum
2,950 Views

Hi folks,

Thanks for the replies.

Best regards,

Bernd

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