vRanger 7.8 - Integration Guide for Quest QoreStor

Configuring vRanger

vRanger requires some basic configuration before data protection can begin. The bulk of this configuration is driven by the Startup Wizard which starts the first time the application is opened. For more information, see the Quest vRanger Installation/Upgrade Guide.

The following lists the primary configurations you need to make.

•	Add source servers: Before you can begin backups, you must add one or more source objects to the vRanger inventory. Source objects can include VMware® vCenter™ or ESXi™ hosts, Hyper-V® clusters or hosts, or physical machines.

•	Add vRanger virtual appliances (VAs): vRanger VAs allow you to distribute the backup workload and gain direct access to target VM’s storage for improved performance.

 

IMPORTANT: To be able to run in Deduplication Mode, the vRanger VA should be configured with four vCPUs and 2 GB of RAM. This configuration lets you run four backup jobs per VA.

•	Add repositories: Repositories are where vRanger stores the savepoints created by each backup job. For the purposes of this integration, a Quest Rapid Data Access (RDA) repository should be used.

Adding a Quest Rapid Data Access (RDA) repository

QoreStor optimizes storage utilization and reduces network bandwidth requirements with in-line deduplication, server-side compression, and compressed and deduplicated replication.

QoreStor supports CIFS, NFS, and RDA protocols. The RDA protocol provides a logical disk interface for QoreStor. The RDA protocol also enables better coordination and integration between vRanger and QoreStor and provides for client-side deduplication of vRanger backups.

 

NOTE: Quest recommends that you use the RDA protocol when using QoreStor as a repository.

For more information about QoreStor, see the QoreStor documentation at support.quest.com/qorestor.

This topic describes the process for adding a Quest Rapid Data Access (RDA) repository. The following procedure assumes that:

•	You have a properly configured QoreStor server that is accessible to the vRanger machine.

•	You created at least one storage container to be used as a Logical Storage Unit. When creating the storage container, use the options:

▪	Connection type: RDA

▪	RDA type: RDS

•	You have designated an RDA User account.

•	You configured your firewall to enable the following TCP ports.

▪

9904

▪

9911

▪

9915

▪

9916

▪

9920

 

NOTE: For information on setting up the preceding configurations, see the Quest QoreStor documentation.

To add a QoreStor server as a Quest RDA repository:

1	In the My Repositories pane, right-click anywhere, and click Add > Quest Rapid Data Access (RDA).

2	In the Add Quest Rapid Access Repository dialog box, complete the following fields:

▪	Repository Name: Enter a descriptive name for the repository.

▪	Description: [Optional] Enter a long-form description for the repository.

▪	DNS Name or IP: Enter the DNS name or IP address of the QoreStor server.

▪	RDA Username: Enter a user account that can be used to log in to the device. The default account is backup_user.

▪	RDA Password: Enter the password for the backup_user account — the default is: St0r@ge!

▪	Logical Storage Unit: Enter the name of the storage container. Ensure that the container is created before you add the device. You cannot add the device if the specified container does not exist on the device. When creating the storage container, use the options:

▫	Connection type: RDA

▫	RDA type: RDS

▪	Port Number: Leave this value at 0 to use the default.

3

Click OK.

The connection to the repository is tested and the repository is added to the My Repositories pane and the Repository Information dialog box.

vRanger checks the configured repository location for existing manifest data to identify existing savepoints.

4	If vRanger finds existing savepoints, click the applicable button:

▪	Import as Read-Only: To import all savepoint data into the vRanger database, but only for restores, click this button. You cannot back up data to this repository.

▪	Import: To import all savepoint data into the vRanger database, click this button. vRanger is able to use the repository for backups and restores. vRanger requires read and write access to the directory.

▪	Overwrite: To retain the savepoint data on the disk and not import it into vRanger, click this button. vRanger ignores the existence of the existing savepoint data and treats the repository as new.

Configuring repository replication

Replication is configured through the My Repositories pane of the vRanger interface.

 

TIP: For more information on repository replication, see the Quest QoreStor User Guide.

The following procedure assumes that:

•	You have configured at least one Quest RDA repository in vRanger.

•	At least one other QoreStor server is available in your environment to serve as the replication target. You do not have to add this device to vRanger.

To configure Replication:

1	In the My Repositories pane, right-click the Quest Rapid Data Access (RDA) repository, and select Configure Replication.

2	In the Configure Replication dialog box, complete the following fields:

▪	Repository Name: Enter a descriptive name for the repository.

▪	Description: [Optional] Enter a long-form description for the repository.

▪	DNS Name or IP: The DNS name or IP address of the QoreStor server.

▪	RDA Username: Enter a user account that can be used to log in to the device. The default account on a QoreStor server is backup_user.

▪	RDA Password: Enter the password for the backup_user account — the default is: St0r@ge!

▪	Logical Storage Unit: Enter the name of the storage container. Ensure that the container is created before you add the device. You cannot add the device if the specified container does not exist on the device. When creating the storage container, use the options:

▫	Connection type: RDA

▫	RDA type: RDS

▪	Port Number: Leave this value at 0 to use the default.

3	Click OK .

The connection to the device is tested and the device is added as a repository is added to the My Repositories pane and the Repository Information dialog box.

After replication is configured for a repository, the Configure Replication option is disabled for that repository.

 

IMPORTANT: After a repository is configured for replication, you must select a synchronization method before replication occurs. For more information, see Managing repository replication.

Editing a replication configuration

You may edit an existing replication configuration to update credentials or timeout values. You may also use the Edit Repository Details dialog box to view free space for the repository.

1	In the My Repositories pane, right-click the Quest Rapid Data Access (RDA) repository, and select Edit Replication Configuration.

2	In the Edit Quest Rapid Data Access (RDA) dialog box, edit any of the following fields:

▪	Repository Name

▪

User Name

▪

Password

3	Alternatively, view the Free Space field for up-to-date information about this repository.

4	If you edited any of the fields, click Update.

Managing repository replication

vRanger supports repository replication. Repositories configured for replication can be synchronized in one of three ways:

•	Automatically, after a successful backup task to that repository.

•	As a separate job on a scheduled basis.

•	Manually, using the Synchronize option.

Configuring a repository for automatic replication

When a managed repository is configured for savepoint replication, and a backup task completes successfully, each savepoint is also replicated to the replication repository.

To enable automatic savepoint replication:

1	From the Tools menu on the vRanger toolbar, select Options.

2	Under the Repositories node, select Replication.

 

TIP: You may also right-click the target repository in the My Repositories pane, and select Repository Replication Options.

3	Select Enable savepoint replication for a successful backup job task, and click Ok.

Scheduling repository synchronization

When using scheduled repository synchronization, savepoints are replicated to the replication repository according to a configured schedule.

NOTE: When scheduling repository synchronization, ensure that the synchronization activity does not occur at the same time as backup jobs using the synchronized repository.

To schedule a repository synchronization:

1	From the Tools menu on the vRanger toolbar, select Options.

2	Under the Repositories node, select Replication.

3	In the Repository Replication Configuration pane, find the Repository Name column, and select the applicable repository.

The repositories listed are the target repositories.

4	Select Schedule repository synchronization.

5	Configure the replication schedule as desired, using the following information as a guide.

a	Start: In the drop-down list, select the time for the replication task to begin.

b	Recurrence Pattern: Establish how often the changes should be synchronized. There are five options within this section:

▫	Daily: The daily option can be scheduled to synchronize the repository every weekday or every x number of days.

▫	Weekly: Repository synchronization can be configured to run on weekly intervals, from every week to every 99 weeks. The day of the week on which to run synchronization tasks can be configured.

▫	Monthly: The monthly option offers the following configurations:

-	Day [x] of every [y] month:

x can be any value from 1 to 31. This value determines the day of the month on which the synchronization job occurs.

y can be any value from 1 to 99. This value determines the monthly interval — for example, every two months sets the job to run every other month.

-	The [f] [d] of every [y] month(s):

f can be either: first, second, third, fourth or last.

d can be: weekday, weekend day, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.

y can be any value from 1 to 99. This value determines the monthly interval — for example, every two months sets the synchronization task to run every other month.

▫	Yearly: The yearly option offers the following configurations:

-	Every [m] [x]:

m is any month of the year. This value determines the month of the year in which the synchronization occurs.

x can be any value from 1 to 31. This value determines the day of the month on which the synchronization occurs.

-	The [f] [d] of [m]:

f can be either: first, second, third, fourth, or last.

d can be: day, weekday, weekend day, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.

m is any month of the year. This value determines the month of the year in which the synchronization occurs.

▫	Interval: The interval option lets you select the number of days, hours, and minutes that should pass between synchronization jobs. The interval selected must be greater than or equal to five minutes.

6	Click OK to schedule the job.

Synchronizing a repository manually

1	In the My Repositories pane, right-click the source or replication repository, and select Synchronize.

2	When the confirmation prompt appears, click Yes.

Disabling repository replication

To disable repository replication:

1	Do one of the following:

▪	From the Tools menu on the vRanger toolbar, select Options. Under the Repositories node, select Replication.

▪	Right-click the replication repository, and select Repository Replication Options.

2	Clear the check box for Enable savepoint replication for a successful backup job task or Schedule repository synchronization, or both.

3

Click OK.

Replication is disabled as indicated by a red circle icon containing a white exclamation point.

Changing a replication repository to a primary repository

If your primary repository becomes corrupt or otherwise unavailable, you can quickly change your replication repository to a primary repository to continue backup and recovery operations.

To change a replication repository to a primary repository:

1	In the My Repositories pane, right-click the replication repository, and click Remove.

 

IMPORTANT: Ensure that Delete all savepoints in this repository is not selected.

2

Click OK.

3	In the My Repositories pane, click Add.

4	Select the applicable repository type.

5	Complete the Add Repository dialog box, and click OK.

6	When vRanger detects that the repository being added contains savepoint data and displays the Warning: Existing Repository Found dialog box, click Import to reconfigure the repository as a primary repository.

Removing a Quest Rapid Data Access (RDA) repository

The process for removing a Quest Rapid Data Access (RDA) repository is the same as removing any other repository type.

To remove a Quest Rapid Data Access (RDA) repository:

1	In the My Repositories pane, right-click the Quest Rapid Data Access (RDA) repository, and select Remove.

The Remove Repository dialog box appears, showing the savepoints in the selected repository.

When removing a repository, you have the option of keeping the savepoints on disk or deleting them. If replication is configured for this repository, you are also given the option to delete the savepoints in the replicated repository.

2	Select Delete all savepoints in this repository.

 

CAUTION: This step deletes the savepoints from the repository disk, not just the vRanger database. Exercise caution when deleting savepoints.

3	To delete the savepoints in a replicated repository, select Delete all savepoints in replication repository.

4

Click OK.

5	When the Delete Savepoints dialog box appears, click OK.

The savepoints are deleted.

Adding QoreStor as a CIFS repository

 

NOTE: Adding QoreStor as a CIFS repository does not take advantage of the full function of QoreStor. Quest recommends adding QoreStor as an RDA repository.

To add QoreStor as a CIFS repository:

1	In the My Repositories pane, right-click anywhere, and click Add > Windows Share (CIFS).

2	In the Add Windows Network Share Repository dialog box, complete the following fields:

▪	Repository Name: Enter a name for the repository.

▪	Description: [Optional] Enter a long-form description for the repository.

▪	User Name and Password: Enter the credentials for accessing the CIFS share.

▪	Security Protocol: Select a protocol, NTLM (default) or NTLMv2.

▪	Server: Enter the UNC path to the applicable repository directory. Alternatively, you may enter a partial path and click Browse to find the target directory.

 

NOTE: You must enter a valid username and password before using the browse functionality.

 

IMPORTANT: Do not select Encrypt all backups to this repository. Using encryption or compression with deduplicated repositories limits or disables deduplication. Encryption and compression should not be used with any repository type that provides deduplication.

3

Click OK.

The connection to the repository is tested and the repository is added to the My Repositories pane and the Repository Information dialog box.

vRanger checks the configured repository location for existing manifest data to identify existing savepoints.

4	If vRanger finds existing savepoints, click the applicable button:

▪	Import as Read-Only: To import all savepoint data into the vRanger database, but only for restores, click this button. You cannot back up data to this repository.

▪	Import: To import all savepoint data into the vRanger database, click this button. vRanger is able to use the repository for backups and restores. vRanger requires read and write access to the directory.

▪	Overwrite: To retain the savepoint data on the disk and not import it into vRanger, click this button. vRanger ignores the existence of the existing savepoint data and treats the repository as new.

5	Click Next.

Adding QoreStor as an NFS repository

 

NOTE: Adding QoreStor as a Network File System (NFS) repository does not take advantage of the full function of QoreStor. Quest recommends adding QoreStor as an RDA repository.

To add QoreStor as an NFS repository:

1	In the My Repositories pane, right-click anywhere, and click Add > NFS.

2	In the Add Network File Share Repository dialog box, complete the following fields:

▪	Repository Name: Enter a descriptive name for the repository.

▪	Description: [Optional] Enter a long-form description for the repository.

▪	DNS Name or IP: Enter the IP or FQDN for the repository.

▪	Export Directory: Specify the export directory, which is similar in concept to a network share. You must create a target subdirectory in the export directory.

▪	Target Directory: Enter a subdirectory of the NFS export directory. This directory is the location to which savepoints are written.

 

IMPORTANT: Do not select Encrypt all backups to this repository. Using encryption or compression with deduplicated repositories limits or disables deduplication. Encryption and compression should not be used with any repository type that provides deduplication.

3

Click OK.

The connection to the repository is tested and the repository is added to the My Repositories pane and the Repository Information dialog box.

vRanger checks the configured repository location for existing manifest data to identify existing savepoints.

4	If vRanger finds existing savepoints, click the applicable button:

▪	Import as Read-Only: To import all savepoint data into the vRanger database, but only for restores, click this button. You cannot back up data to this repository.

▪	Import: To import all savepoint data into the vRanger database, click this button. vRanger is able to use the repository for backups and restores. vRanger requires read and write access to the directory.

▪	Overwrite: To retain the savepoint data on the disk and not import it into vRanger, click this button. vRanger ignores the existence of the existing savepoint data and treats the repository as new.

 

NOTE: For instructions on additional configurations and scheduling backup jobs, see the Quest vRanger User Guide.