So, your backup server is a few years old and you find
yourself in need of a newer, bigger, better, faster one. Just one
problem, you want/need to keep your data from Backup Exec for compliance
reasons. You have the perfect server that is ready to take on this new
role. It is some new 64 bit monster with Windows 2008 R2, tons of I/O
capacity, memory, disk space and more. Then you ask yourself, how do I
move Backup Exec’s data from the old server to the new server and keep
everything in working order? Time to check the technote database! So you
head off to
http://support.symantec.com and start doing some queries. You may find this technote:
How to migrate (move) Backup Exec from one system to another with the
same version of BE, Windows and same or different computer names.
http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH67768
In the last 10 years, there have been many who have followed this
technote, for just this purpose. When you start reading it, there are
some bold statements, and some restrictions. However, lets first review
some of the components this technote will cover.
- The Backup Exec Database (BEDB).
- The Backup Exec Data (Job histories stored on disk, reports, and more).
- The Backup Exec Catalogs (Catalog folder on disk).
Today the SQL instance that hosts the BEDB is Microsoft SQL Server
Express 2005 SP3. This version happens to be a 32 bit version when
installed on either a 32 bit server, or on a 64 bit server. That is good
news for customers who want to migrate from 32 bit operating systems,
to 64 bit operating systems. That means there is really no difference in
the database mounted on a 32bit OS, or a 64 bit OS, so you can carry it
forward to a 64 bit OS without any compatibility issues. Furthermore,
the Backup Exec Data and Catalogs on disk are files that are obviously
transferrable between OS’s as well. The technote above is written to
help move these three items between an old and new server. However,
there are a few remaining items to consider.
One of the main items to consider is the configuration of the old and
new server. The steps in the technote guide you through creating a
matching configuration on the new server. If it is the same operating
system as the previous install, then the same components and
configuration items for that operating system will get laid down by the
install. This should give a relatively similar configuration. The
restriction at the top of the technote mentions operating systems of
different versions. This is most likely for customers who tried to go
backwards. Some examples where this would be broken would be:
- Customer installed the Deduplication option on Windows Server 2008
(64 bit), then tries to move to Windows 2008 (32 bit). This option does
not install the same on Windows 2008 (32 bit), so this will cause
issues.
- Customer has Microsoft Exchange (64 bit). Tries to move their data
back to a Windows Server 2003 (32 bit) machine. Selections lists in the
database would fail to protect these servers since they require tools
that can only be present on a 64 bit machine.
These are just a couple examples of how this could lead to possible
compatibility/supportability issues. There may also be additional issues
when migrating from 32 bit to 64 bit operating systems of different
operating system versions, though I am not personally aware of any. I
know of customers who have successfully migrated this way, but it not a
supported upgrade path as is called out in this technote:
How to migrate Backup Exec to another server with a different Windows OS version.
http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH129826
There is also the added difficulty of having to move to a newer
version of the product, and not being able to upgrade to the current
version. Here is an example. A customer has Backup Exec 12.5 installed
on a Windows 2000 Server. They would like to migrate to Backup Exec 2010
R3. However, Backup Exec 2010 R3 does not support installing on Windows
2000. In a situation like this, the only upgrade path is the following
technote:
How to use BEMIG to manually upgrade the Backup Exec database from a previous version
http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH50537
Again this technote lists similar restrictions as the previous
technote. Most if not all of the restrictions have very valid reasoning.
Primarily because of the work that is done during the install, with
respect to these items. The Backup Exec Installation will often make
some database changes in coordination with the migration scripts. It’s a
carefully orchestrated flow to carry the configuration forward to the
new version. Trying the steps in the technote against a server that
meets the restrictions will be hit or miss. Mostly depending on the
database version being migrated, and changes made in each version of the
product after that version. For example, trying to migrate a database
that is from the 12.5 product, using the migration(BEMIG) scripts in our
2010 R3 release will yield failures when the “Shared Storage Option” is
installed. This is because the install does some of the work, and the
scripts do the rest of the work during the migration sequence. The only
reliable way to get upgraded when you meet the restrictions is through
operating system upgrades, and the supported Backup Exec Install upgrade
paths. Now, if you don’t meet the restrictions, then you are
essentially using the migration scripts in the newer version of the
product, to migrate your database to the new version. This is the same
sequence that the Backup Exec Installer uses to migrate the database
between versions. However, you should also be careful that the old
configuration and new configuration match as closely as possible. Doing
so will save you many hours of frustration and issues that could be
avoided!
Another question I received, asked about lingering server/devices
post upgrade, that are un-removable in the Backup Exec 2010 UI. This
issue may happen when migrating to a server with a different server name
and different hardware. It’s a difficult issue to solve for our support
team, and usually requires their intervention to fully remove. For this
reason, it is recommended that you migrate to a server with the same
name, and similar configuration. It saves many hours of resolving
configuration issues when you do. If you decide change your server name,
you will not be able to carry forward a deduplication folder, or its
associated jobs. You may also decide to recreate your selection lists
for proper viewing. There may even be more items you find needing your
attention when you do. Save yourself the headache and keep the same
server name. Follow the technote and copy the data to the network, take
the server offline, bring up the new server with the same name, and
finish followng the technote. You will be glad you did!