Data Protection for VMware and Application Data in Mission Critical Environments

ManualsBrandsHP ManualsSoftwareHP Data Protector V6.11 Software

Data Protection for VMware and Application

Data in Mission Critical Environments

HP StorageWorks and HP Software Division

Table of contents

Executive summary............................................................................................................................... 2

The challenges .................................................................................................................................... 2

Backup agent in the virtual machine ................................................................................................... 4

Backup agent in the console OS/hypervisor........................................................................................ 5

Backup through proxy server ............................................................................................................. 6

Backup option summary chart ............................................................................................................... 7

Solution technology components............................................................................................................ 8

VMware technology components ....................................................................................................... 8

Virtual Infrastructure 3................................................................................................................... 8

VMFS.......................................................................................................................................... 9

Raw Device Mapping (RDM) ....................................................................................................... 10

VMware Consolidated Backup (VCB)............................................................................................ 11

HP technology components ............................................................................................................. 11

HP Data Protector software .......................................................................................................... 11

HP StorageWorks EVA Family ..................................................................................................... 12

HP StorageWorks Business Copy EVA (EVA BC) ............................................................................ 13

HP StorageWorks Continuous Access EVA (CA EVA)...................................................................... 13

Implementation overview .................................................................................................................... 14

Implementation configuration .............................................................................................................. 15

Storage and server hardware configuration ...................................................................................... 16

Implementation details........................................................................................................................ 17

VMware Consolidated Backup Integration in HP Data Protector 6.0 software

using pre/post execution scripts in a backup specification .................................................................. 18

Performing a Backup .................................................................................................................. 19

VMware Consolidated Backup Integration in HP Data Protector 6.1 software

using the VMware online agent integration ....................................................................................... 22

Data Protector Cell Manager ....................................................................................................... 23

Data Protector VMware Integration component .............................................................................. 23

Data Protector Media Agents ....................................................................................................... 23

Configuring the VCB Integration ...................................................................................................... 24

VCBimage backup method .......................................................................................................... 26

VCBfile backup method............................................................................................................... 27

Performing a Zero Downtime Backup................................................................................................ 27

Conclusion/Summary......................................................................................................................... 30

Appendix A ...................................................................................................................................... 31

For more information.......................................................................................................................... 32

Summary of content (32 pages)

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Data Protection for VMware and Application Data in Mission Critical Environments HP StorageWorks and HP Software Division Table of contents Executive summary............................................................................................................................... 2 The challenges .................................................................................................................................... 2 Backup agent in the virtual machine .......................................
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Executive summary Enterprise data centers have been rapidly embracing and deploying server virtualization solutions because of the instant and evident benefits server virtualization provides. From fundamental problems such as server sprawls, resource consumption, and server provisioning to more complex challenges such as green computing and disaster recovery, server virtualization provides many different capabilities that help address these common data center intricacies.
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So why is the implementation of a backup strategy for a virtual infrastructure not as simple as backing up the set of data and configuration files that encapsulate a virtual machine? To answer this question effectively, it is important to understand all the components of a virtual infrastructure that need to be backed up and how critical effectively backing up each component is.
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Backup agent in the virtual machine This approach simply is the traditional approach to backups. The backup agents are installed inside each virtual machine exactly as it would be done on a physical server. Backups are performed over the LAN. This method does not require any additional skill set or procedural changes. It allows file-level recovery and the restore process is unchanged. This method is suitable for virtual machine OS and application backups.
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Backup agent in the console OS/hypervisor This method involves installing a backup agent within the console OS and then backing up the set of VMDK files and configuration files that encapsulate each virtual machine. A single backup agent is needed and installed in the console OS and backups are performed through the LAN. This method provides fast image level recovery of virtual machines. Challenges: 1.
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Backup through proxy server By integrating a third-party backup application with VMware Consolidated Backup (VCB), the backup through proxy allows LAN free backups of virtual machines at the file and image level, and requires deployment of the VMware VCB framework. This method allows taking the backup load off the ESX server by having a third party host perform the backup. The third-party host has access to the same SAN volumes as the ESX server.
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Backup option summary chart CHART 1: Backup option chart • Agent in ESX console • Agent in VM • Virtual Machine • Yes • Severe performance penalty • Yes • Yes • Windows only • Yes • Zero performance impact • Windows only • Databases & Applications • Yes • Severe performance penalty • No • No • Yes • Zero performance impact (1) • VCB • HP DP ZDB/IR + VCB • 100% Protection See Appendix A for more details.
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The solution technology components explored in the paper are as follows: Figure 5: Solution technology components HP/VMware VI Backup Advantage VMware Consolidated Backup HP Data Protector software [Zero Downtime Backup] [Instant Recovery] Raw Device Mapped (RDM) Continuous Access EVA VMFS Business Copy EVA VMware Virtual Infrastructure 3 VMware StorageWorks EVA Family HP Solution technology components VMware technology components Virtual Infrastructure 3 VI 3 allows enterprises and small businesses
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Figure 6: VI 3 implementation VMFS VMFS is a high-performance clustered file system that leverages shared storage to allow multiple instances of VMware ESX to read and write to the same storage, concurrently. A Virtual Machine File System serves as a repository for virtual machines and virtual machines state. Each virtual machine’s files are encapsulated in its own directory. VMFS also house other files such as templates, ISO images for fast deployment, or virtual machines.
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Figure 7: VMFS Raw Device Mapping (RDM) A Raw Device Mapping (RDM) is a special file in a VMFS volume that acts as a proxy for a raw device. RDM LUN supports direct access 3 between the virtual machine and physical storage subsystem, and is useful with SAN snapshots and other layered applications running in a virtual machine. There are two types of RDM devices—physical compatibility RDM, also called pass-through RDM, and virtual compatibility RDM, also known as non-pass-through RDM.
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VMware Consolidated Backup (VCB) VMware Consolidated Backup (VCB) takes the backup off the ESX server host, eliminates the backup window, removes backup traffic from the LAN, and eliminates the need to run backup agents inside the virtual machines to perform file-level backups of virtual machine data. VCB leverages new capabilities in VMware tools to quiesce the file system inside the virtual machine at the time a snapshot is taken.
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HP Data Protector software has the following structure: Figure 10: HP Data Protector Software Structure Zero Downtime Backup Zero Downtime Backup (ZDB) provides no impact backup by performing backups on a copy of the production data. ZDB provides the option to copy or move data to tape. As of Data Protector 6.0 and newer, ZDB also allows incremental backups. Zero Downtime Backup is suitable for application-aware data backups and non-disruptive protection.
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HP StorageWorks Business Copy EVA (EVA BC) Business copy EVA is a feature of the EVA that allows the creation of point-in-time copies of logical units local to the array.
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The number of replication group created should be tailored to the specific user environment. For instance, the creation of replication groups can be based on a number of decision factors, for example: • The disk resources for each application running in a virtual machine may require their own DR group. This allows failing over just one or multiple applications individually to a different virtual machine without having to failover the virtual machine they are running on.
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Figure 12a: ZDB/IR Figure 12b: VMware Consolidated Backup Implementation configuration The environment used for this case study consisted of two EVAs linked together through a CA link. Each EVA was accessed by an ESX server and a backup server. Each backup server was also connected to a tape device or virtual library. Additionally, a data protector cell manager was configured in the environment along with two Command View EVA management stations that are accessed for array management and configuration.
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Storage and server hardware configuration Table 1 and 2 respectively detail the storage and servers’ hardware configuration: Table 1: EVA8100 configuration (Production system Local site) 1 set (2 pairs) of EVA8100 controllers 2 disk shelves 4GB cache per controller 28 * 300 GB 10K rpm disk drives EVA firmware revision: XCS 6110 Table 2: EVA8100 configuration (Mirror site system Remote site) 1 set (2 pairs) of EVA8100 controllers 2 disk shelves 4GB cache per controller 28 * 300 GB 10K rpm disk drives EVA fi
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Table 6: Virtual machine configuration (Oracle ZDB/IR Backup Test) Windows Server 2003 SP1 VM boot disk: 30GB vmdk RDM 1: Oracle control files (c:\mnt\) – 2GB RDM configuration RDM 2: Oracle Data Files (E:\) – 25GB All RDM LUNs must be set to physical compatibility mode. RDM 3: Oracle Redo Logs (D:\) – 60GB RDM 4: Oracle Archive Logs (E:\) – 120GB 2 LSI Logic Virtual SCSI adapters.
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VMware Consolidated Backup Integration in HP Data Protector 6.0 software using pre/post execution scripts in a backup specification Out of the various virtual infrastructure backup options previously explored VMware Consolidated Backup is the solution of choice when backing up virtual machines because it provides the flexibility of VM-level incremental or full backups, removes the load of performing backups from the ESX server and essentially eliminates backup windows.
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The scripts above must be copied to the bin directory of the HP Data Protector software installation of the backup proxy host as shown in figure 14: Figure 14: Integration scripts 4. Create the “vmware_passwd” file in the config directory of the VMware Consolidated backup framework installation directory on the backup proxy host.
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To begin a new backup specification, run the Data Protector software manager and in the backup context window create a file system backup specification by selecting the “Blank Filesystem Backup.” Figure 16: Blank Filesytem Backup • Next select the directory and mount point where the full image backup snapshot will be mounted for backup. • Next select the backup device where the backups will be saved. In this experiment, a file library was created from LUNs on an EVA4400.
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Figure 18: VCB pre/post exec options The pre-exec script option above will backup the virtual machine named “SW2K3R2”. The mount point for the backup files will be “v:\images” and a full backup will be performed. • Apply these changes and under the schedule tab, if desired configure a backup schedule. • Finally, run and test this backup specification.
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During the backup operation the backup mount point “v:\images” is populated with all the files that encapsulate the virtual machine in question. Figure 19: VCB Full Backup mount point This process provides a crash consistent backup copy of the virtual machine, the OS running inside of it, and all virtual machine specific configuration files.
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Data Protector supports environments where ESX Server systems are managed through a VirtualCenter Server system (VirtualCenter environments) as well as environments with standalone ESX Server systems (standalone ESX Server environments). Mixed environments, in which some of the ESX Server systems are managed through a VirtualCenter Server system and some are standalone, are also supported.
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Figure 20 depicts the VMware integration component deployed on a VMware VirtualCenter server. Figure 20: VMware Integration Component on VirtualCenter Server Configuring the VCB Integration Configure the integration as follows: NOTE: Detailed VCB integration configuration details can be found in the guide: “HP Data Protector A.06.
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• Configure users as described in HP Data Protector A.06.10 Integration guide for VMware Virtual Infrastructure, Sybase, Network Node Manager, and Network Data Management Protocol Server: “Configuring VMware users”. • If your ESX Server systems are configured in a cluster, check the cluster settings as described in: “Configuring clusters”.
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Figure 22: Configuring virtual machines and their backup proxy settings VCBimage backup method For the VCBimage backup method, you need to have at least one backup proxy system configured in your environment. A backup proxy system is a Windows system that has the VCB software installed. For details on the VCB software, see the VMware documentation. During a VCBimage backup, Data Protector invokes VCB to mount virtual machines on a backup proxy host.
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After the virtual machine copy is created, it is transferred to Data Protector media. At the end, the virtual machine is unmounted. Consequently, the virtual machine copy is removed from the backup proxy. The virtual machine snapshot is removed as well. The VCBimage backup method backs up only the current state of a virtual machine. Information about the snapshot tree and the changes made on non-active snapshot branches are not included in the backup. As a consequence only full backups are supported.
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Before being able to perform a Zero Downtime Backup and Instant Recovery, a series of configuration settings are required.
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• Specify the application (virtual machine running Oracle database) and backup server. • Select a replica option – BC for local replication (This option allow Instant Recovery) – CA + BC for remote replication (recovery is done through LAN) • Select “Track the replica for instant recovery” and specify a number of replicas to rotate through. NOTE: Selecting this option will automatically grey out the snapshot type selection dropdown.
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Conclusion/Summary By combining HP Data Protector software Zero Downtime Backup and Instant Recovery with VMware Consolidated Backup virtual infrastructure IT managers now have an effective backup solution that protects their VM and application data while significantly reducing RPO and RTO requirements: • Reduce RPO and RTO – Application data can be restored in matter of minutes – Virtual machine backups provide more granularity than regular SAN backups.
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Appendix A Backup Option Backup agent in virtual machine Pros • Traditional backup/restore method • No additional skill set required • File level backup available for all OS • Provides ability for application consistent backups Backup agent in the ESX console • Fast image level VM backup by leveraging virtualization encapsulation • Only a single backup agent is needed Cons • Puts significant load on system resources (CPU, network bandwidth) • Does not take advantage of virtualization encapsulation •
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For more information • HP Data Protector software 6.0 / 6.1 User Guide • HP OpenView Storage Data Protector Zero Downtime Backup Concepts Guide • HP OpenView Storage Data Protector Zero Downtime Backup Administrator’s Guide • HP OpenView Storage Data Protector Zero Downtime Backup Integration Guide • Instant Recovery for HP StorageWorks Enterprise Virtual Array in CA+BC Configuration [http://www.hp.com/go/dataprotector] • Data Protector 5.5/6.