vRanger 7.8.3 - User Guide

Performing vRanger sweep-to-tape using Quest NetVault Backup

Performing vRanger sweep-to-tape using Quest NetVault Backup

Sweeping vRanger backups to tape using NetVault Backup lets you combine the vRanger high-speed backup and recovery capabilities with the NetVault Backup inexpensive, long-term offsite-storage technology.

To configure the vRanger sweep-to-tape feature, both vRanger and NetVault Backup must point to a common vRanger repository folder located locally on the vRanger server.

The vRanger backup administrator creates an on-demand (not scheduled), incremental job with a specific name, appending -Tape as a case-sensitive suffix — for example, any-jobname-Tape. The -Tape suffix can be changed by editing the Windows PowerShell® script if you prefer something else. There should be a dedicated repository for each on-demand job.

The tape backup software administrator schedules a recurring incremental backup job whose PRE field calls a .cmd file containing the PowerShell script that searches for and then starts the vRanger on-demand jobs with the -Tape suffix.

The vRanger on-demand job performs the incremental backup, placing the savepoint files in the repository and updating the repository’s global manifest file.

After the vRanger job completes — for example, the job status equals either success or failure — the PowerShell script exits, thus completing the PRE command.

With the PRE command of the tape backup software completed, the tape backup software, which is also pointing to the vRanger repository folder, runs its scheduled incremental job, backing up the vRanger savepoints and global manifest file to tape.

To perform vRanger sweep-to-tape using NetVault Backup, complete the following tasks:

•	Ensuring that system requirements are met

•	Checking the list of prerequisites

•	Preparing the systems

•	Preparing for vRanger sweep-to-tape using NetVault Backup

•	Performing backup operations

•	Performing restore operations

Ensuring that system requirements are met

Ensuring that system requirements are met

For vRanger:

•	vRanger on Windows Server® 2008 R2 SP1 or later.

•	Virtual or physical machines protected by vRanger.

For NetVault Backup:

•	A properly configured NetVault Backup Server.

•	Single Stand-Alone External Tape Drive or a Single Internal Tape Drive in a Library. For example, Quest PowerVault LTO standalone and library-based tape devices are ideal for this solution.

•	Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 or later.

Checking the list of prerequisites

Checking the list of prerequisites

This document assumes that both vRanger and NetVault Backup have been installed and configured, and does not cover the installation or the configuration of these applications. For guidance on proper installation and configuration of the items identified in the following list, see the applicable documentation for NetVault Backup and vRanger.

•	vRanger installed and properly configured.

•	Location to store the vRanger repository, accessible by both vRanger and NetVault Backup.

•	NetVault Backup installed and properly configured with a tape device or library.

•	Blank tapes with enough storage to contain the vRanger repository.

Supported devices

Most existing tape libraries and tape formats are supported by NetVault Backup, including stand-alone and library-based tape devices in SAN or shared-SCSI environments. In addition to the line of approved Quest PowerVault tape devices, visit our Supported Devices page for a complete list of supported devices.

Preparing the systems

Preparing the systems

The following changes need to be made to a default configuration to prepare for the vRanger sweep-to-tape process:

•	Enable remote scripts in vRanger PowerShell Console.

•	Create a vRanger repository dedicated to sweep-to-tape.

•	Download the required vRanger PowerShell scripts from: https://support.quest.com/netvault-backup/kb/141112

•	Copy the vRanger PowerShell scripts to the NetVault Backup folder.