EMC NetWorker

Release 8.0

Cloning Integration Guide

P/N 300-013-558
REV A01

Copyright (2011 - 2012) EMC Corporation. All rights reserved. Published in the USA.
Published June 2012
EMC believes the information in this publication is accurate as of its publication date. The information is subject to change without
notice.
The information in this publication is provided as is. EMC Corporation makes no representations or warranties of any kind with respect
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All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.
For the most up-to-date regulatory document for your product line, go to the technical documentation and advisories section on the
EMC online support website.

EMC NetWorker Release 8.0 Cloning Integration Guide

CONTENTS

Preface
Chapter 1

Introduction
Revision history ..........................................................................................
Cloning integration feature..........................................................................
Staging integration feature..........................................................................
Benefits of cloning and staging ...................................................................
Additional data protection.....................................................................
Performance..........................................................................................
Storage optimization.............................................................................
Licensing ....................................................................................................
Version requirements ..................................................................................
NetWorker components...............................................................................
NetWorker server...................................................................................
NetWorker clients..................................................................................
Storage node ........................................................................................
NetWorker Management Console ..........................................................
Volumes................................................................................................
Pools ....................................................................................................
Save sets ..............................................................................................
NetWorker repositories .........................................................................
Cloning example .........................................................................................
Staging data example .................................................................................

Chapter 2

Planning and Practices

Cloning requirements..................................................................................
Cloning policy .............................................................................................
Deciding when to clone .........................................................................
About clone pools .................................................................................
Save sets ..............................................................................................
Clone attributes ....................................................................................
Multiplexed backups.............................................................................
Consider the application .............................................................................
Consider the recovery scenario....................................................................
Consider the browse and retention policies.................................................
Browse policy........................................................................................
Retention policy ....................................................................................

Chapter 3

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Software Configuration
Filesystem configuration .............................................................................
Storage nodes.............................................................................................
Determining the read and write source ..................................................
Criteria for reading the clone data .........................................................
Criteria for writing the clone ..................................................................
Directing a clone from one storage node to another storage node..........
Directing clones from all storage nodes to a single storage node ...........

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Criteria for recovering cloned data.........................................................

Cloning with tape devices .....................................................................
Cloning with file type and AFTD devices.................................................
Differences in the cloning process.........................................................
Manual cloning with advanced file type device......................................
Cloning with EMC Avamar (deduplication node) ..........................................
Backup-to-tape for Avamar deduplication clients ..................................
Cloning with Data Domain (DD Boost) .........................................................
Clone formats........................................................................................
Clone requirements...............................................................................
Cloning by pools ...................................................................................
Cloning with EMC Disk Library using an embedded storage node.................
Storage node selection .........................................................................
Environments with multiple storage nodes ............................................
Cloning node affinity for all disk library virtual tape libraries..................
Production storage node cloning of data to physical tape ............................

Chapter 4

Cloning Procedures
Cloning data ...............................................................................................
NetWorker release 7.6 SP1 and later .....................................................
NetWorker releases prior to 7.6 SP1 ......................................................
Cloning options...........................................................................................
Automated cloning......................................................................................
Configuring auto-clone ..........................................................................
Schedule cloning ........................................................................................
Scheduling clone operations.................................................................
Starting scheduled clone operations manually ......................................
Monitoring scheduled clone operations ................................................
Viewing the clone status of a save set ...................................................
Volume cloning ...........................................................................................
Save set cloning..........................................................................................
Scripted cloning..........................................................................................
NetWorker 7.6 Service Pack 1 enhancements ........................................
NetWorker 7.5 enhancements ...............................................................
nsrclone option descriptions.................................................................
Using the nsrclone options....................................................................
Using the nsrclone command to specify a browse and retention policy..
Cloning archived data .................................................................................
Scheduling a clone session for archive data ..........................................
Cloning an archive volume manually .....................................................
Considerations to improve cloning performance..........................................
Cloning validation .......................................................................................
Displaying the backup versions in the GUI ...................................................

Chapter 5

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Recovering Data from Clones

Clones recovery...........................................................................................
Recovery scenarios .....................................................................................
Browse and retention periods ...............................................................
Required save sets and volumes for recovery of cloned data .......................
Generating a media database listing of all of the save sets....................
Determining the status of a save set in the media database ..................
Save set requirements ..........................................................................
Selecting clone volumes to recover data from........................................

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Recovery tasks ............................................................................................

Restoring cloned data that is browsable in the client file index..............
Restoring recoverable save sets to the client file index ..........................
Restoring recyclable save sets to the client file index ............................
Restoring save sets that are not in the media database .........................

Chapter 6

Staging
Staging overview.........................................................................................
Staging example ...................................................................................
The destination...........................................................................................
Working with staging policies......................................................................
Creating a staging policy .......................................................................
Editing a staging policy .........................................................................
Copying a staging resource ...................................................................
Deleting a staging policy .......................................................................
Staging from the NetWorker Management Console ......................................
Staging from the command line...................................................................
Finding the clone ID of a save set ..........................................................

Chapter 7

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NetWorker Module for Databases and Applications

NMDA save set bundling .............................................................................
NetWorker staging restrictions ..............................................................
Save set bundling with NMDA ...............................................................
Save set bundling information in the media database ...........................
NMDA policy uniformity...............................................................................

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EMC NetWorker Release 8.0 Cloning Integration Guide

PREFACE

As part of an effort to improve its product lines, EMC periodically releases revisions of its
software and hardware. Therefore, some functions described in this document might not
be supported by all versions of the software or hardware currently in use. The product
release notes provide the most up-to-date information on product features.
Contact your EMC representative if a product does not function properly or does not
function as described in this document.
Note: This document was accurate at publication time. New versions of this document
might be released on the EMC online support website. Check the EMC online support
website to ensure that you are using the latest version of this document.

Purpose
This document contains planning, practices, and configuration information for using the
NetWorker cloning feature.

Audience
This document is part of the EMC NetWorker documentation set, and is intended for use
by system administrators. It contains planning, practices, and configuration information
for using the NetWorker cloning feature.
Readers of this document should be able to perform the following tasks:

Identify the different hardware and software components that comprise the NetWorker
datazone.

Follow procedures to configure storage management operations.

Follow guidelines to locate problems and implement solutions.

This guide has been written for NetWorker release 8.0 unless specified otherwise.

Related documentation
The following documentation resources provide more information about NetWorker
software:

EMC Information Protection Software Compatibility Guide provides a list of client,

server, and storage node operating systems supported by the EMC information
protection software versions.

NetWorker Procedure Generator (NPG) is a downloadable Microsoft Windows

application with periodic updates that are available to NetWorker customers and
support staff. By means of user-selectable prompts, NPG tailors single-focused
documents from high-demand information drawn from the NetWorker product guides
and the latest advice supplied by expert users.

Technical notes and white papers provide in-depth technical reviews of products
regarding business requirements, applied technologies, and best practices.

These resources are available at http://Powerlink.EMC.com. You must have a service

agreement to use the Powerlink website.
EMC NetWorker Release 8.0 Cloning Integration Guide

Preface

Conventions used in this document

EMC uses the following conventions for special notices:



NOTICE is used to address practices not related to personal injury.
Note: A note presents information that is important, but not hazard-related.
IMPORTANT
An important notice contains information essential to software or hardware operation.

Typographical conventions
EMC uses the following type style conventions in this document:
Normal

Used in running (nonprocedural) text for:

Names of interface elements, such as names of windows, dialog boxes,
buttons, fields, and menus
Names of resources, attributes, pools, Boolean expressions, buttons,
DQL statements, keywords, clauses, environment variables, functions,
and utilities
URLs, pathnames, filenames, directory names, computer names, links,
groups, service keys, file systems, and notifications

Bold

Used in running (nonprocedural) text for names of commands, daemons,

options, programs, processes, services, applications, utilities, kernels,
notifications, system calls, and man pages
Used in procedures for:
Names of interface elements, such as names of windows, dialog boxes,
buttons, fields, and menus
What the user specifically selects, clicks, presses, or types

Italic

Used in all text (including procedures) for:

Full titles of publications referenced in text
Emphasis, for example, a new term
Variables

Courier

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URLs, complete paths, filenames, prompts, and syntax when shown
outside of running text

Courier bold

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Courier italic

Used in procedures for:

Variables on the command line
User input variables

<>

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[]

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Vertical bar indicates alternate selections the bar means or

{}

Braces enclose content that the user must specify, such as x or y or z

...

Ellipses indicate nonessential information omitted from the example

EMC NetWorker Release 8.0 Cloning Integration Guide

Preface

Where to get help

EMC support, product, and licensing information can be obtained as follows:
Product information For documentation, release notes, software updates, or
information about EMC products, licensing, and service, go to the EMC online support
website (registration required) at:
http://Powerlink.EMC.com

Technical support For technical support, go to EMC online support and select Support.
On the Support page, you will see several options, including one to create a service
request. Note that to open a service request, you must have a valid support agreement.
Contact your EMC sales representative for details about obtaining a valid support
agreement or with questions about your account.

Your comments
Your suggestions will help us continue to improve the accuracy, organization, and overall
quality of the user publications. Send your opinions of this document to:
[email protected]

EMC NetWorker Release 8.0 Cloning Integration Guide

Preface

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EMC NetWorker Release 8.0 Cloning Integration Guide

CHAPTER 1
Introduction
This chapter includes the following sections:

Revision history ......................................................................................................

Cloning integration feature......................................................................................
Staging integration feature......................................................................................
Benefits of cloning and staging ...............................................................................
Licensing ................................................................................................................
Version requirements ..............................................................................................
NetWorker components...........................................................................................
Cloning example .....................................................................................................
Staging data example .............................................................................................

Introduction

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Introduction

Revision history
The following table lists the revision history of this document.
Table 1

Revision History
Revision

Date

Description of added or changed sections

A01

June 2012

Initial publication of this document.

Cloning integration feature

Cloning is a feature of the EMC NetWorker software that allows for secure offsite
storage and the transfer of data from one location to another. It provides the ability to
create a copy of a save set from one volume to another volume.
A NetWorker clone operation can be performed at the following levels:

Save set

Volume

Pool

Further selection criteria can also be used to specify particular types of data or clients.
Although the clone operation creates a copy of the original backup data, it is not an exact
copy since only the data within the backup is an exact copy. Some metadata is changed so
that the clone copy can be managed as a separate and independent copy from the
original. This capability allows the clone copy to be used for subsequent operations
without any dependency to the original.
Multiple clone copies can be created so that a backup can be protected against
corruption, local damage, site disaster, or loss. Cloning also provides a mechanism that
can be used to move data from one storage type to another. For example, for offsite
storage you can move data from disk to tape.
Clone operations can be configured to be run by:

Automatic start (auto-clone)

A schedule

A customized script

Information about the volumes, status, and history of cloning operations can be viewed
and monitored from the NetWorker Administration window. Clone-related messages are
also logged to the NetWorker message file and the savegrp log file, which are located in
the NetWorker_install_dir\logs directory.

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Introduction

Staging integration feature

NetWorker staging is a separate process but it relies on the cloning mechanism. Save set
staging is the process of transferring data from one storage medium to another medium,
and then removing the data from its original location. Staging is only supported for data
that resides on disk-type devices.
A save set can be staged from one disk to another as many times as required. For
example, a save set can be staged from disk 1, to disk 2, to disk 3, and finally to a remote
tape device or cloud device. Once the save set is staged to a tape or cloud device, it
cannot be staged again. However, you can clone the tape or cloud volume.
Staging can be driven by any of the following processes:

Calendar-based process, such as keeping the save set for 30 days on the staging
device before moving the data to the next device.

Event-based process, such as when available space in the staging pool drops below a
set threshold. When this happens, the oldest save sets are moved until available
space reaches a preset upper threshold.

Administrator-based process, such as allowing the administrator to either reset the

threshold or manually select save sets to stage.

Staging does not affect the retention policy of backup data. Therefore, staged data is still
available for recovery.
When the stage process encounters an error after successfully cloning specified save sets,
it deletes only those successful save sets from the source volume before the program is
stopped. This ensures that after staging, only a single set of save sets exists in either the
source volumes or clone volumes.

Benefits of cloning and staging

While there may be multiple reasons to choose to clone or stage data, in most cases it is
usually driven by the following main objectives:

Additional data protection

Performance

Storage optimization

A NetWorker cloning operation is performed only after a successful backup which provides
the following benefits:

Allows the backup process to complete at maximum performance without any impact
to speed due to multiple write acknowledgements, delays, or retries on one or more
devices. Cloning limits the impact to the client, while providing data protection as
quickly as possible.

Ensures that the backup is successful, that the data is valid, and that the clone
operation will complete successfully.

Ensures that the storage requirements have been determined and that the appropriate
storage is made available.

Staging integration feature

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Introduction

Allows cloning to be scheduled and prioritized outside of the backup window when
resources are less constrained.

Reduces the load on the backup infrastructure.

Allows for recoveries to be initiated easily because the backup operation has already
completed.

Note: You cannot use the NetWorker software to create an instant clone by writing to two
devices simultaneously. This operation is also referred to as parallel cloning, twinning, or
inline copy. Where parallel cloning or twinning is required, consider using the NetWorker
cloning feature. Using cloning will help ensure that the initial backup completes
successfully. Additional data protection can also be implemented by using the optimum
devices and bandwidth available for the backup environment.

Additional data protection

By creating a clone of the backup data you can achieve the following two goals:

Validate that the original backup data can be read successfully which provides
additional assurance that the data can be recovered. It also validates that the media
where the backup resides is intact.

With cloning, multiple copies of the data are available. One copy can be shipped
offsite for vaulting which provides faster data rates than backing up directly to tape.
This copy can be made available for recovery at the original site or offsite.

Performance
Performance is one benefit of staging. Data is backed up to near-line storage which is
usually a backup-to-disk. The data can then be migrated to tape later based on staging
policy settings for the disk device.

Storage optimization
The storage device that is used for the initial backup is often a compromise between a
number of factors which include the following:

Location

Availability

Capacity

Speed

Cost

As a result, the backup data on the initial storage device is unlikely to be on the ideal or
optimum storage for the entire duration of the datas retention period.

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Introduction

Cloning and staging can help to use the storage devices more effectively by moving data
between different types of devices. This ability provides the following benefits:

Backups that are stored on local tape devices can be copied to other devices in remote
locations without impact to the initial backup performance.

Backups from disk devices can be copied to tape to facilitate offsite or long term
storage.

By moving data from disk to tape, you can use the storage capacity more effectively. The
use of a deduplicated disk allows the initial storage space to be reclaimed for new
backups.
Once backups have been cloned to other storage devices, the original backups can be
deleted. This allows for the following:

New backups can be written to the disk device since the initial storage space can be
reclaimed for new backups.

Multiple service levels can be accommodated:

The most recent backups may remain on one storage device for fast recovery.
Other backups may be moved to more cost effective, slower storage for less
demanding recovery needs.

Tape
Tape is still the most commonly used backup storage medium and the following issues
might be encountered when using it:

Difficulty in accessing the data

Reliability of the tape device

Reliability of the robotic changing mechanisms

Requirement of a long backup window

Note: Use backup-to-disk where high performance backups are required within a short
backup window. The data can be staged to tape for longer term retention.

Disk devices
Disk devices are becoming more cost effective and offer advantages when deduplicating
and replicating data. However, disk devices have limited capacity and can sometimes
require considerable effort.

Benefits of cloning and staging

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Licensing
In most cases, the functionality used for cloning or staging is incorporated into the
existing NetWorker base product and requires no additional licenses or enablers.
However, there are some devices that offer additional functionality and these might
require additional licenses and enablers in order for this functionality to be used for
cloning or staging, or for additional capacity to be made available.
To ensure that the appropriate capacity and functionality licensing is applied and enabled
for the devices that are being used, refer to the EMC NetWorker Licensing Guide.

Version requirements
NetWorker client and servers that support cloning should meet the following version
requirements:

NetWorker server must be installed with NetWorker 7.6 Service Pack 1 (SP1) or later
software.

NetWorker Management Console (NMC) must be release 7.6 SP1 or later.

NetWorker components
The NetWorker software has a number of components that allow for flexibility in the
deployment of NetWorker datazone configurations. It allows for the scaling of data and the
number of clients it supports.
The section includes the following topics:

NetWorker server on page 16

NetWorker clients on page 17

Storage node on page 17

NetWorker Management Console on page 17

Volumes on page 17

Pools on page 18

Save sets on page 18

NetWorker repositories on page 18

NetWorker server
The NetWorker server is the main component that manages the other components that
comprise the backup infrastructure.
A datazone is comprised of a NetWorker server and the group of components and client
data that the server manages. A customer site may have one or multiple datazones
depending on the size, distribution, and departmental organization.

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Introduction

NetWorker clients
NetWorker clients are computers, workstations, or files servers whose data can be backed
up and restored with the NetWorker software. Each NetWorker client requires that the
NetWorker software be installed and that the client is configured on the NetWorker server.
The software also enables interaction with the NetWorker Application Modules.
In some cases, additional software is also installed that allows for local storage devices
and dedicated storage nodes.

Storage node
The NetWorker storage node is a system that has a NetWorker storage device attached and
is able to store backup data.
The storage node can be one of two types:

Shared storage node (standard)

The shared storage node is able to receive data from multiple sources and to share its
storage capabilities.

Dedicated storage node

A dedicated storage node is restricted or dedicated to a single client and does not
allow its storage to be used by other clients. In most cases, shared storage nodes
should use dedicated systems so that the IO capabilities can be fully used. However,
it is possible for the storage node to reside on systems that have other duties.
By default, the NetWorker server must be a storage node to secure its own backups. In
certain small environments, you can use the NetWorker server as a shared storage
node for all backup client data.

Note: Use dedicated systems for shared storage nodes and to direct all client data to the
dedicated storage node.

NetWorker Management Console

NetWorker Management Console (NMC) provides the graphical user interface and services
necessary to manage the administration of the NetWorker software, monitor backup and
restore activities, and report backup events. This separate software package is able to
communicate with the NetWorker server.
In small environments, it is typically installed together with the NetWorker server.
Although for larger environments, NMC may be installed on its own or on a separate
system.
With the NMC, you can configure, monitor, and report on activities in real time.

Volumes
NetWorker devices use data volumes to store and manage the backup data.
Every volume must belong to a pool which allows multiple volumes to be used. In the case
of tape cartridges, this procedure ensures that the correct volume and the storage node
are always used.
NetWorker components

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Pools
A pool can be used to group the backups together so that data of a similar type or profile
can be stored together. For example, you can create a pool for Sunday Full backups.
Pools also allow data to be directed to specific storage nodes or locations which help to
organize the data for optimum storage and recovery and are used during cloning sessions.

Save sets
The backup data consists of one of more save sets in a single session or thread of data
that has been generated by a NetWorker client of a NetWorker module. A save set contains
at least one file which is located on a NetWorker volume.
Save set attributes provide the following information:

Where the data originated

Type of backup the save set contains

Type of save set it is

Date the save set was created

Date the save set will expire

Date the associated index will expire (browse expiration)

Location of the data

These attributes allow the NetWorker software to ensure that the data is managed
according to the policies and configuration settings applied. You can determine the status
and type of the save set.
These attributes also allow you to determine:

What has been cloned

What needs to be cloned

Status of the clone operation

Status of the backup

NetWorker repositories
NetWorker software uses two separate repositories to manage data that has been backed
up by using the save command. The following repositories record metadata irrespective of
NetWorker client, NetWorker module, or data type:

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Media database

Client file index

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Introduction

Media database
Information on the save set is stored in the media database. This database contains all of
the records for all of the save sets that are currently under the control of the NetWorker
software, and that have the potential to be used for recovery purposes.
The media database provides the following information:

Location (volume) of the save set

Size of the save set

Offset within the volume

The media database contains limited details on what is inside the save set. The names
and attributes of the files within the save set are stored in separate client indexes.
Unlike client indexes, media database entries are relatively small and require only a small
amount of space for each save set. As such, the disk space requirements for the media
database are generally small and disk size is dependent on the number of volumes and
save sets.

Client index
There is a separate client index repository for each unique NetWorker client configured
with the NetWorker software. The client indexes contain references to the save set IDs and
record each file that was included in the backup of a given NetWorker client.
The entries in the client file index record the following information for filesystem backups:

Filename

Attributes of the file

Location of the file within the file structure

Position of the file within the save set

Note: For NetWorker module backups, the client file index includes metadata about the
individual application objects.
As some save sets might contain many files (100,000 or more) the information stored in
the client indexes can grow. This growth impacts the amount of disk space required to
store them. The save set browse retention policy allows customers to manage index space
for save sets.

NetWorker components

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Cloning example
In this example, three save sets are created by a backup of a client with three data drives.
These save sets are stored on a volume that is accessible through Storage Node A. Once a
cloning action occurs, the copies of these save sets are sent to a clone pool on Storage
Node B. Figure 1 on page 20 illustrates a cloning environment.

Figure 1 Cloning example

Staging data example

For example, the initial backup data can be directed to a high performance file type or
advanced file type device. In this way, the backup time is reduced by taking advantage of a
file or advanced file type device. At a later time, outside of the regular backup period, the
data can be moved to a less expensive but more permanent storage medium, such as
magnetic tape. After the backup data is moved, the initial backup data can be deleted
from the file or advanced file type device so that sufficient disk space is available for the
next backup.

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Introduction

In Figure 2 on page 21, the staging action will result in the deletion of the original save
sets on the Volume A1, once they had been successfully staged (cloned) to volume B1.
The Xs indicate that once a successful clone copy has completed, the original save sets
are deleted. This is the difference between a clone and a stage operation. The save sets
appear to move from one storage to another. The resulting save set is identical to that of
the first, but in a different location.

Figure 2 Staging example

Staging data example

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CHAPTER 2
Planning and Practices
This chapter includes the following sections:

Cloning requirements..............................................................................................
Cloning policy .........................................................................................................
Consider the application .........................................................................................
Consider the recovery scenario................................................................................
Consider the browse and retention policies.............................................................

Planning and Practices

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Cloning requirements
The following requirements apply when performing clone operations:

A minimum of two storage devices must be enabled. One to read the existing data and
one to write the cloned data:
If libraries with multiple devices are used, the NetWorker server automatically
mounts the volumes required for cloning.
If stand-alone devices are used, mount the volumes manually. A message displays
in the Alert tab of the Monitoring option that indicates which volumes to mount.

The destination volume must be a different volume from the source volume, and must
belong to a clone pool.

You must be a NetWorker administrator. The EMC NetWorker Administration Guide

provides detailed information.

Note: Only one clone of a particular save set can reside on a single volume. If three clones
of the same save set are specified, the NetWorker software will ensure that each clone is
written to a separate volume.

Cloning policy
Cloning data has many benefits and can be used to protect and maximize the data
protection infrastructure.
The following section lists some of these benefit, describes common scenarios, and
provides advice on data selection.
Note: Ensure that all target volumes do not already contain the same clone save sets.
Volumes that contain failed clone save sets might prevent additional clone sessions from
completing.

Deciding when to clone

In most situations, the backup window is limited and usually all available resources are
required to secure the client data in the required time period. Adding cloning
requirements to this backup window impacts the amount of resources that are available
for backups. Cloning should be avoided for all but the most important data or where a
dedicated cloning infrastructure is available.
The need to clone data is normally driven by a requirement for additional protection or the
need to move data to a specific media type or location. In both cases, the priority is to
secure the data as quickly as possible so that data protection can begin. There is a high
probability that any restore request within the first 48-hours will be due to local failure or
corruption and that the original backup copy is the most likely source for that recovery.
In the case of a local disaster recovery or site loss, the recovery actions and objectives are
likely to be very different. Selected systems and services will be given specific priorities,
recovery point objective (RPO) values, and recovery time objective (RTO) values.

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Planning and Practices

The decision on when to clone depends on specific circumstances. However, in most

cases the clone operation can be separated and delayed from the initial backup
operation. This combined with the requirement to use infrastructure outside of the backup
window allows a cloning window to be created. Most or all of the cloning operations
should occur within the cloning window.
With the NetWorker 7.6 SP1 scheduled cloning feature and the nsrclone command,
cloning can be configured and scheduled independently of the backup window. It is
important that, as with backup, sufficient planning and resources are made available to
allow for successful clone operations to be completed.
IMPORTANT
Do not schedule more than 30 clone sessions to start at the same time. Scheduling 30 or
more clone sessions to occur simultaneously may result in timed-out and incomplete
cloning sessions.

About clone pools

The cloning operation reads a save set from a volume within a backup pool and writes it to
a target volume.
Consider the following to ensure that the clones are easy to manage:

Ensure that target volume belongs to a clone pool.

Ensure that the volume that is used for cloning does not already contain a copy of the
save set. Only one instance of a save set can exist on the same volume or pool.

As with backup pools, there can be multiple clone pools. Clone pools can be used to sort
data by type, retention period, or location.
A clone pool can also be associated with one or more devices to limit the number or type
of devices that are used. By using clone pools, you can expire the original save sets and
reclaim the space on the initial or primary storage device while also maintaining the data
for future recoveries. This extends the retention periods within clone storage pools and
devices.
Save set clones have their own retention and browse periods which allow them to be
managed independently from the original backup.
Note: The retention policy specified in a clone pool will be overwritten if a retention policy
is specified in a scheduled clone operation or through the nsrclone command.

Cloning policy

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Specifying a retention policy for a clone pool

You can specify a retention policy only for cloned data in a Pool resource.
To specify a retention policy for a clone pool:
1. In the clone pool to which clone backups will be directed, click the Configuration tab.
2. From the Retention policy list, select a retention policy.
3. Click OK. The EMC NetWorker Administration Guide provides information about
editing or creating a pool.
Note: The retention policy that is specified in a clone pool will be overridden if any
retention policy is specified in a scheduled clone operation.

Save sets
NetWorker save sets have various status conditions that allow you to determine:

Current status of the save set

History of the save set

Validity of the save set for recovery or clone operations

Clone attributes
Clone attributes include the following:

Browsable: Select if the save set still has an entry in the client file index.

Recyclable: Select if all save sets have passed both the browse and retention policy
time periods. The volume might be available for automatic relabeling and overwriting
provided that all of the save sets on the volume are recyclable.

Recoverable: Select if the entry for the save set has been removed from the client file
index, but is still available for recovery from the media. That is, the volume has not
passed its retention policy.

In-progress: Select if the save set is currently in the process of being backed up.
IMPORTANT
In-progress save sets cannot be cloned.

Aborted: Select if the save set was either aborted manually by the administrator
during a backup, or because the computer crashed.
IMPORTANT
Aborted save sets cannot be cloned.

26

Suspect: Select if a previous attempt to recover the save set failed.

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IMPORTANT
Suspect save sets are not cloned. The following error message appears:
nsrclone: skipping suspect save set <ssid> cloneid <cloneid> nsrclone: error, no
complete save sets to clone.

Multiplexed backups
Multiplexed save sets can be cloned. Clone copies of multiplexed save sets are written as
a single contiguous data stream on the target media (demultiplexed). This behavior can be
an advantage since multiplex backups have a read and recovery overhead. By cloning
multiplexed save sets, you remove this overhead which allows recoveries from the clone
to be read faster than the original backup.
When cloning multiplex save sets, note that only one save set will be cloned to the same
target at the same time. However, multiple clone sessions can be started at the same time
from the same source provided that they all have separate target volumes.

Save set spanning

Some devices support save set spanning where a save set spans across multiple volumes.
When a save set is selected for cloning, it might start on one volume but will continue to
one or more additional volumes.
When using devices that support save set spanning, it is important to:

Identify save sets that span multiple volumes.

Ensure that the number of continued save sets is kept to a minimum.

Use separate pools and larger or alternative devices.

Use the EMC Data Domain backup-to-disk and optimized cloning feature with Data
Domain devices.
Plan ahead to ensure that the volumes are available and that they are read in an
optimum sequence.

A custom, scripted solution that uses the nsrclone command can be created and used to
manage save set spanning.

Moving from or to different devices

The devices that are used for the initial backup might not be ideal for the entire data
policy.
Often the devices that are used for the initial backup are chosen for their speed or cost.
These devices are usually local to the clients that are being protected and are subject to
the same situations or scenarios that the clients are trying to be protected from. These
include, power or cooling failures or site loss through natural disaster. With NetWorker
cloning, you can copy or move the data to an alternate or additional device.
When data is cloned, the data is read from the source media in its native form similar to a
restore operation. Cloned data is not copied on a bit-by-bit basis. As such, data can be
re-written to another device. The destination device does not need to be the same as the

Cloning policy

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Planning and Practices

source device. Cloning or moving save sets from tape to disk or from disk to Virtual Tape
Library (VTL) is no different than cloning data from like devices. This allows devices to be
used efficiently and effectively in the right places.

Example
Advanced file type device (AFTD) disk devices can used for the initial backups because of
their speed and versatility.
Tape devices can be used to clone the data. This allows for an extended retention period
without increasing the disk space requirements.
The use of deduplication can also provide efficient use of storage. Cloning to or from
deduplication devices can ensure that these devices are used effectively.

Considerations for scheduled clone sessions

Note the following considerations when setting up scheduled clone sessions:

Scheduling multiple clone sessions to start at the same time on page 28

Mixing save sets from different source devices on page 28

Unmounted clone source volumes on remote storage nodes on page 29

Clone resources that are created with the nsradmin program on page 29

Scheduling multiple clone sessions to start at the same time

Do not schedule more than 30 clone sessions to start at the same time. Scheduling 30 or
more clone sessions to occur simultaneously may result in timed-out and incomplete
cloning sessions.

Mixing save sets from different source devices

Consider the following:

Clone operations that mix save sets from different source devices, such as Data
Domain devices, AFTD devices, or Network Data Management Protocol (NDMP)
devices, may be written to different cloning target volumes. The full set of clone
volumes should be shipped offsite.
Note: Although this behavior is by design and is recommended as a best practice, it is
possible to write all save sets in the clone operation to the same clone volume.

28

It is a best practice to not mix normal data and NDMP data because of the way in
which the data is written to tape differs. The number of filemarks and positioning is
different for NDMP data.

If the clone operation includes save sets from different devices, and you want all of
the save sets to be written to the same volume, include only one volume in the clone
target pool.

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Planning and Practices

Unmounted clone source volumes on remote storage nodes

Ensure that the source clone volume is mounted prior to cloning. The source clone volume
contains the copy of data that is to be cloned. The EMC NetWorker Administration Guide
provides detailed information on how to mount a volume.
If the clone source volume is on a remote storage node and is unmounted, a regular
volume clone operation will not complete successfully; even if the source volume is
mounted after the clone operation attempts to start.
The nsrclone program will stop responding with the following message:
Server server_name busy, wait 30 second and retry

This issue does not occur when the storage node is on the NetWorker server. The storage
node is not remote.

Clone resources that are created with the nsradmin program

Clone resources (known as NSR clone resources) that are created with the nsradmin
command line program cannot be edited as scheduled clone resources in the NetWorker
Administration user interface.
To avoid this issue, perform either of the following:

In the Administration GUI, create scheduled clone resources.

or

In the nsradmin program:

a. Create a NSR clone resource.
b. Create a corresponding NSR task resource.

You can use these resources to edit the clone item as a scheduled clone resource in the
GUI. The corresponding NSR task resource must have its name and action attributes
specified as follows:
name: "clone.nsrclone_resource_name"
action: "NSR clone:nsrclone_resource_name"

For example, if the NSR clone resource was named TestClone1, the name and action
attributes of the NSR task resource would be:

name: clone.TestClone1

action: NSR clone: TestClone1

These entries are case-sensitive.

Consider the application

When implementing a cloning policy for backup data, consider:
1. What NetWorker Module was used to create the original backup.
2. Consult NetWorker Module for Databases and Applications on page 95 and the
NMM section in the NetWorker Procedure Generator for specific application data
cloning considerations.

Consider the application

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Consider the recovery scenario

When implementing a cloning policy for backup data, consider the recovery scenarios.
Cloning data provides a second or alternative source for the recovery. This can protect
against media loss or corruption. However, if the media is located in one of the following
locations, then the second copy of the data is still vulnerable to major disasters that can
impact the entire site:

On the same tape library

On a deduplication device within the same data center (within a Data Domain
environment)

In a safe on the site

In some cases:

More copies may be required to ensure that all of the recovery scenarios can be
accommodated while maintaining the expected return on investment. This
requirement may not apply to all clients and all data or be practical. However,
consider the reasons why cloning is being used to ensure that the actions that are
being proposed or performed meet the requirements or expectations.

Additional protection can also be achieved by changing the target or moving tapes to a
second location once the cloning operation is complete.

Consider the browse and retention policies

The NetWorker software uses browse and retention policies and applies them to every
write operation:

The retention policy determines the length of time that the data remains available for
recovery on the NetWorker media database.

The browse policy determines how long the details of the data remain available for
browsing and selection on the NetWorker client index.

Both the browse and retention polices impact the amount of disk space required by the
NetWorker server. The recovery procedure is likely to be different if one or both of these
polices has elapsed. The browse and retention polices should be equal to or greater than
the client or data requirements and allow for the expected recovery conditions.
The NetWorker software is very versatile when recovering data because of how it handles
the data on the media. When determining data recovery options, consider:

30

The data is written in a format that is self-describing. This allows data to be read and
recovered by using different NetWorker instances or versions.

The data remains on the media until the save set data has expired. The media is
relabeled or staged in the case of an AFTD.

Up until the point when the media is relabeled, recoveries are still possible, regardless
of the browse policy, expiration status, or even if the volume is known to the
NetWorker software in the media database entry.

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Planning and Practices

While this versatility can be relied upon when unexpected events occur, it does not
replace the requirement to plan and manage the data appropriately. Care and
consideration should be given when selecting browse and retention polices. Also consider
the location and number of copies of volumes and save sets. This ensures that the data is
available at the most likely time by using the simplest procedures.

Browse policy
For every backup that is created by using the NetWorker software, you must assign two
policies to determine how long data should be maintained and be available after the
recovery. The most important policy from an ease of recovery perspective is the browse
policy.
The browse policy determines how long the backup will be browsable, so that the ability to
review and select data for recovery is possible. This policy determines how long index data
is maintained in the respective client index, so that a browse policy of seven days will
remove data from the client index after seven days has elapsed. This allows different
clients, or different data types, or even different groups of clients to have browse periods
that differ.
Once the browse policy for a save set has expired, it is possible regenerate the index for a
given save set. Restoring save sets that are not in the media database on page 81
provides details.
Note: The browse policy is limited by the retention policy. The browse period cannot
exceed the time set for retention policy.

Retention policy
As with the browse policy, the retention policy is also assigned for every NetWorker
backup, regardless of its source or type. The policy lets the NetWorker software know how
long the data within a save set is expected to be maintained for recovery.
By having separate browse and retention policies, the user is not bound by the retention
period for client index information. This is useful as the recovery of data is more likely to
occur within a short period of time from when the backup was made. However, the need to
retain the information for business or regulatory reasons is likely to exceed this period by
some period. It is therefore possible to have a browse period which is long enough to
accommodate the most likely recovery scenario, but maintain a retention period to satisfy
the business or regulatory criteria. This approach allows the disk space required by the
client index to be maintained at a more acceptable level without the overhead of large
disk space requirements and the performance and scaling concerns that would be
associated with this.

Consider the browse and retention policies

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Planning and Practices

Example
Figure 3 on page 32 shows how browse and retention policies can be used to maintain the
data available for recovery while minimizing the disk space required for client indexes and
maximizing the storage space available. By having this cascading retention period, you
can free the space on the immediate or high performance devices, and still maintain the
recovery options from the less costly, lower performance devices.

Figure 3 Browse and retention policies

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CHAPTER 3
Software Configuration
This chapter includes the following sections:

Filesystem configuration .........................................................................................

Storage nodes.........................................................................................................
Cloning with EMC Avamar (deduplication node) ......................................................
Cloning with Data Domain (DD Boost) .....................................................................
Cloning with EMC Disk Library using an embedded storage node.............................
Production storage node cloning of data to physical tape ........................................

Software Configuration

34
35
42
44
46
49

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Software Configuration

Filesystem configuration
Before you start to configure cloning, you must consider the type of data that is being
cloned. This section describes a basic cloning operation that uses a standard filesystem
backup where a client, pool, or volume that has one or more filesystem save sets is
required to be cloned to a second device. This device is typically located in a different
location.
For specific application data cloning considerations, see NetWorker Module for
Databases and Applications on page 95 and the NMM section in the NetWorker
Procedure Generator.
Figure 4 on page 34 illustrates the principle for all cloning operations.

Figure 4 Filesystem cloning

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In this figure:

A client performs a backup to a storage node.

The clone operation takes the copy from the storage node or another storage node
that has access to the same volumes and reads the data from the volume, storage
node A.

Data is then directed to a different device. The data can be accessed in one of three
ways:
Through the same storage node
From a storage node in a different location
By using a different device (storage node B)

Most of the configuration principles in this section apply to all cloning operations.

Storage nodes
When performing clone operations, you can select the storage node that is used for the
source and target.
This section describes the criteria that you can use to determine:

The storage node from which the clone data is read (read source).

The storage node to which the clone data is written (write source).

Figure 5 on page 36 illustrates a typical NetWorker environment where a number of

storage nodes and devices are available. The ability to determine the storage node and
device used for both the read and the write source of any cloning operation is an
important element in configuring cloning.

Storage nodes

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Software Configuration

Figure 5 Cloning with storage nodes

Determining the read and write source

By selecting the appropriate read and write sources, you can ensure that:

36

The clone copies are created from and reside in the appropriate locations or media
formats.

The resources are available for other backup or recovery operations.

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Figure 6 on page 37 illustrates the storage node selection criteria for reading the clone
data.

Figure 6 Storage node selection criteria for reading the clone data

Storage nodes

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Criteria for reading the clone data

Use the following criteria to determine the storage node from which the clone data will be
read (read source):

If the source volume is mounted, then the storage node of the device on which the
volume is mounted is used as the read source.
If the FORCE_REC_AFFINITY environment variable is set to Yes:
The selection criteria in step a on page 38 are ignored.
The selection criteria behaves as though the volume is not mounted as described
in step a on page 38 .

If the volume is not mounted or if the FORCE_REC_AFFINITY environment variable is set

to Yes, a list of eligible storage nodes is created.
The list is based on the storage nodes that meet the following criteria:
a. Storage nodes are listed in the Recover Storage Nodes attribute of the Client
resource of the NetWorker server. If this attribute is empty, the Storage Nodes
attribute of the NetWorker server is used.
b. If the requested volume is in a media library, the storage nodes on which the
volume can be mounted is determined in the following manner:
The storage node listed in the Read Hostname attribute for the library resource
is used.
If the Read Hostname attribute for the library resource is not set, then all of the
storage nodes on which any device in the library is configured are added to the
list of Eligible Storage Nodes.
If the volume is not in a media library, then the list of Storage Nodes is based
on step a on page 38 only.

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Criteria for writing the clone

Use the following criteria to determine the storage node to which the clone data will be
written (write source):

The Clone Storage Node attribute of the read source storage node is used as the write
source.

If the read source host does not have a Client resource, the Storage Nodes attribute of
the NetWorker server is used as the write source.

No matter where the cloned data is directed, the client file index and the media database
entries for the cloned save sets still reside on the NetWorker server. This ensures that the
browse and retention policies are handled consistently regardless of where the clone data
is directed.

Directing a clone from one storage node to another storage node

To direct a clone from one storage node to another:
1. In the NetWorker Administration window, ensure that Diagnostic Mode is enabled by
selecting View > Diagnostic Mode from the main menu.
2. Select Devices. and then double-click Storage Nodes in the left pane.
3. Right-click the read source storage node and then select Properties. The Storage
Nodes Properties window appears.
4. Select Configuration.
5. In the Clone Storage Nodes attribute, add the hostname of the storage node to which
the clone data will be written.
The first entry in the list contains the functional, enabled device that receives the
cloned data from the read source storage node.
6. The Clone Storage Nodes attribute applies only to NetWorker servers and storage
nodes.
Note: Leave this attribute blank for NetWorker clients that are not also NetWorker
servers or storage nodes.

Directing clones from all storage nodes to a single storage node

To direct clones from all storage nodes to a single storage node:
1. In the NetWorker Administration window, ensure that Diagnostic Mode is enabled by
selecting View > Diagnostic Mode from the main menu.
2. Select Devices. and then double-click Storage Nodes in the left pane.
3. Right-click the read source storage node and then select Properties. The Storage
Nodes Properties window appears.
4. Select Configuration.
5. In the Clone Storage Nodes attribute, add the hostname of the storage node to which
all cloned data is to be written.
Storage nodes

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Criteria for recovering cloned data

Use the following criteria to determine the storage node from which the clone data will be
recovered:

If the source volume is mounted, then the storage node of the device on which the
volume is mounted is used as the read source:
If the FORCE_REC_AFFINITY environment variable is set to Yes:
The selection criteria in step a on page 38 are ignored.
The selection criteria behave as though the volume is not mounted as
described in step a on page 38 .
When cloning is used in a VTL environment such as an EMC CLARiiON Disk Library
(CDL), the NetWorker software behaves as if the FORCE_REC_AFFINITY environment
variable is set to Yes.

If the volume is not mounted or if the FORCE_REC_AFFINITY environment variable is set

to Yes, a list of eligible storage nodes is created. The list is based on the storage
nodes that meet the following criteria:
The storage nodes listed in the Recover Storage Nodes attribute of the NetWorker
client resource that is being recovered. If this attribute is empty, the NetWorker
client's Storage Nodes attribute is used.
If the requested volume is in a media library, the storage nodes on which the
volume can be mounted are determined in the following manner:
The storage node listed in the Read Hostname attribute for the library resource
is used.
If the Read Hostname attribute for the library resource is not set, then all
storage nodes on which any device in the library is configured are added to the
list of eligible storage nodes.
If the volume is not in a media library, then the list of storage nodes is based on
step a on page 38 only.

Cloning with tape devices

There are a number of reasons why tape devices are used as part of the cloning process:

In cases where tape is used as a secondary storage tier where selected data is cloned
to tape for offsite storage or for extended data retention periods. This allows disk
devices to be used for the initial backup where their speed and flexibility can be most
effectively used for fast backup and recovery performance.

In cases where tape is used as the primary backup media, there are still benefits in
creating clone copies, including:
Secondary copy at different location or for offsite storage
Data validation

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Verification of the ability to read data from the media

Added protection of multiple copies across multiple volumes
De-multiplexing of multiplex backups for faster recovery
Cloning with tape devices provides two benefits which should be considered for every
clone created:

Unlike disk-based devices, tape devices read data in a serial format. This means that
while multiplexing is beneficial from a backup streaming perspective, not so when it
comes to recovery.

If recovery speed is important, the use of clone copies as the source is likely to result
in faster recovery throughput.

Tape clone copies are often the preferred method to read data in disaster recovery
situation. The ability to acquire, install, and configure a tape unit to read data is often
the first task on a disaster recovery plan.

By creating a copy of the backup on tape, you can eliminate the need for appliances such
as VTLs or disk systems to be in place. This often takes longer to acquire, install, and
configure. However, ensure that the tape copy is a full and complete copy, without the
dependence on other backups or deduplication appliances to complete the restore
operation.

Cloning with file type and AFTD devices

The use of the disk backup devices such as file type and AFTD devices are ideal for cloning
operations because they provide high speed, random access, and flexibility.
In many cases, the disk devices are used as the initial target device for backups,
especially in situations where slower clients are unable to match the speeds expected for
modern tape devices. In these situations, the ability to clone or stage data to tape often
provides extended retention and data protection while maximizing the disk use and
benefits.
Data can remain on the disk devices for short periods, typically 3 to 14 days which allows
for:

Adequate time for immediate and urgent restore operations to occur.

Plenty of time to create further copies to tape or other disk-based devices for longer
term retention.

Storage nodes

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Differences in the cloning process

There are differences in the cloning process for the two types of devices:

For file type devices, automatic and manual cloning begins only after all the save sets
in a savegroup have been backed up.

For AFTD, automatic cloning begins only after all the save sets in a savegroup have
been backed up.
Note: You can begin manually cloning a save set as soon as it has finished its backup.

AFTD devices allow a maximum of two concurrent clone operations. One clone
operation can use the writable device and the other clone operation can use the
read-only device.

AFTD devices allow recoveries during cloning operations (Read(source) or

Write(target). This assumes that the recover operation is not from the active save set
and that only one clone operation is running at-a-time.

Manual cloning with advanced file type device

Consider a situation where there are three save sets:

Save set A has a size of 10 KB.

Save set B has a size of 10 MB.

Save set C has a size of 10 GB.

When save set A has completed its backup, you can:

Begin the manual cloning process while the other two larger save sets are still being
backed up.

Launch the cloning process for that save set as each save set is backed up.

Clone only one save set at a time.

Cloning with EMC Avamar (deduplication node)

EMC Avamar deduplication technology decreases the amount of time, network
bandwidth, and disk capacity required to back up client data.
The cloning of Avamar deduplication backups is somewhat different from the cloning of
other NetWorker backups. Only the metadata (hash information) is stored on a NetWorker
storage node. This metadata is not deduplicated. However, it can be cloned in the usual
manner. Scheduling clone operations on page 56 provides information on how to set up
cloning operations. Cloning this hash metadata is highly recommended.
The backed-up data from an Avamar deduplication client, however, is stored on an Avamar
deduplication node and cannot be cloned to a NetWorker storage node. This backed-up
data can be replicated on another Avamar deduplication node if such a replication host
has been configured. The NetWorker software does not initiate replication. A replication
host (an Avamar server) must be configured by EMC Customer Support before a
deduplication backup can be replicated. The EMC NetWorker Administration Guide

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provides more information. You can also output the backup data of Avamar deduplication
nodes to tape volumes. Backup-to-tape for Avamar deduplication clients on page 43
provides more information.
IMPORTANT
For disaster recovery, you must replicate the client data to another Avamar deduplication
node. You must also clone the metadata. Both the metadata and the client data are
required to recover backed-up client data.

Backup-to-tape for Avamar deduplication clients

There is an alternate method to using a replication node to ensure that additional copies
of Avamar deduplication data are available for recovery. Create a second instance of the
client to be backed up, but do not configure the second instance as a deduplication client.
The second client instance is treated as a regular NetWorker client and its data is backed
up to tape.

Example
Clients mars, venus, and jupiter have been configured as deduplication clients and
assigned to a backup group named Dedupe backups. This group is scheduled for a daily
level full backup.
To get a monthly tape backup of these clients:
1. Create another instance of the mars, venus, and jupiter clients.
IMPORTANT
Do not select the Deduplication backup checkbox on the Apps & Modules tab of the
Create Client resource.
2. On the General tab of the Create Client resource, assign mars, venus, and jupiter to a
backup group named Tape backups.
3. Schedule this group for a monthly full backup on one day of the month. Skip every
other day of the month.
Note: The Avamar documentation describes the tape out options that are available for
Avamar.

Cloning with EMC Avamar (deduplication node)

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Cloning with Data Domain (DD Boost)

As with other NetWorker devices, Data Domain device types can also be used to perform
clone operations. Single save sets or the entire volume of a Data Domain device may be
cloned as a source or target.

Clone formats
Data stored on a Data Domain device may be cloned by the NetWorker software in one of
two formats, depending on the type of media on which the clone copy will be stored:

Clone-controlled replication format

Regular clone format

Clone-controlled replication format

Data that is cloned to a target Data Domain device, typically at a remote location, retains
its deduplication format and is known as clone-controlled replication or an optimized
clone.
Clone-controlled replication uses the native Data Domain replication feature to copy data
from one Data Domain system to another. The NetWorker control ensures that
clone-controlled replication will not begin until after the related backup group at the
source has finished its backup.
The storage node for the target device reviews the incoming clone for data that is already
stored on the target device and transfers only unique data and reference pointers to be
stored on the device.
Clone-controlled replication uses a special Data Domain API command. Do not confuse
this clone-controlled replication with standard directory level replication, which is also
supported. The clone is created quickly and uses low bandwidth and low storage capacity.
A clone created in this format may be used for data recovery or to create further copies, for
example, to traditional disk or tape storage. This method results in minimal impact on
production or primary backup and recovery operations.

Regular clone format

When data on the Data Domain device is cloned to a traditional disk or tape, it is reverted
to its native non-deduplicated format, known as "regular clone" format.
Regular clone format is necessary for the data on traditional disk or tape storage to be
completely recoverable, for example for disaster recovery, without the need of a Data
Domain system.
The process that takes data that has been deduplicated and then reverts it to normal or
regular data is called rehydration.

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Clone requirements
To clone data from one Data Domain device to another by NetWorker clone-controlled
replication (optimized cloning), ensure that requirements are met.
The following eight requirements assume that the previous creation of a clone target pool
named, for example, as newclonepool:
1. Ensure that both the source and target storage nodes are clients of the same
NetWorker server.
2. Ensure that the Data Domain systems are properly licensed, including a replication
license, which is required to create optimized clones.
3. Ensure that the Client resource for the NetWorker server and both storage nodes
specify, in their Aliases attribute, all of their names in use.
For example:
Fully-qualified name
Short name
Aliases
IP address
Note: If an nsrclone command or script is used to perform an optimized clone from a
host that is not the NetWorker server, then this command must specify the NetWorker
server by its primary hostname as listed in the NMC Enterprise view. Otherwise, a
regular clone might be produced instead of an optimized clone.
4. Ensure that a target pool (for example, newclonepool) has been created for Backup
Clone type with the Media type required attribute set to Data Domain.
With this setting, if a Data Domain device is not available for a clone operation in the
specified target pool, then NMC displays a "Media waiting" message.
Note: The Default Clone pool does not allow any modification. The required media
type cannot be set in that pool.
5. Ensure that the Client resource for the source storage node specifies, in its Clone
Storage Node attribute, the target storage node hostname:
If the Clone storage node attribute is not specified, then the NetWorker server
becomes the storage node for the clone operation.
If the Clone storage node attribute lists a storage node for a volume that is not Data
Domain, and media type required is not set to Data Domain in the target clone
pool, then only regular clones may be stored on those volumes.
Note: This setting is not required if the target storage node is on the NetWorker server.

Cloning with Data Domain (DD Boost)

45

Software Configuration

6. Ensure that the source Data Domain device is mounted and available on the source
storage node.
If the source device is not mounted, then a regular, non-deduplicated clone will be
performed, except if the specified target pool is of Backup Clone type with the Media
type required attribute set to Data Domain.
7. Ensure that the target Data Domain device is labeled and mounted on the target
storage node. The pool selected for the device label operation (for example,
newclonepool) must be of Backup Clone pool type.
8. Verify that the target clone pool (for example, newclonepool) is properly specified or
selected:
For CLI clone operations, use the nsrclone -b newclonepool command.
For scheduled clone operations, in the Write clone data to pool attribute of the
Clone resource, select newclonepool.
For auto-clone operations for a group, in the Clone pool attribute of the Group
resource, select newclonepool.
For clones of entire volumes, Cloning by pools on page 46 provides details.

Cloning by pools
In order to copy save sets from Data Domain storage to a device, a special pool must be
specified. This pool is known as a "clone pool." A clone pool must be assigned to a device
on the target Data Domain system, where it will be available for use.
There are two main purposes for a clone pool:

To copy existing deduplicated VTL or CIFS/NFS AFTD save sets to a Data Domain
device.

To copy the existing save sets from one Data Domain device to another Data Domain
device, typically at a remote location for disaster recovery purposes.

Cloning with EMC Disk Library using an embedded storage node

The storage node cloning capability within the EMC Disk Library (EDL) requires a
NetWorker storage node. This means that the EDL with the embedded storage node
cloning capability must be configured in a NetWorker datazone. All standard NetWorker
configuration rules and restrictions apply.
The embedded storage node software feature automatically starts when the EDL
NetWorker Storage Node enabler license is installed. The storage node software also
automatically restarts after an EDL reboot, as long as the enabler license remains
installed. If the EDL NetWorker Storage Node enabler license is removed, the storage node
software is stopped and will remain stopped until the EDL reboot.
Activating the EDL embedded NetWorker Storage Node enabler license also enables a
menu option within the EDL Console that checks the status of the storage node and
enables starting and stopping of storage node services. The EMC Disk Library online help
provides more details.

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Software Configuration

Embedded storage node use cases

The embedded storage node feature supports all standard NetWorker cloning operations,
including these six use cases:
1. Cloning save sets from virtual tape with the disk library to Fibre Channel-connected
target libraries on the back end of a disk library:
The disk library embedded storage node reads save sets from the virtual tape
library that are used by the production storage node, and writes to the target tape
devices that are attached to the back-end Fibre Channel ports of the disk library.
A different retention policy can be applied to the cloned copy of the save set.
Setting different retention policies can enable the copy on the virtual media to be
retained for a relatively short period of time. For example, one week where as a
longer retention policy can be applied to the clone copy on tape for longer-term
storage.
2. Cloning save sets from virtual tape to a second Fibre Channel-connected disk library
on the back end of the disk library. This cloning operation has the advantage of
maintaining a second copy of data on disk, while freeing space on the primary backup
target.
3. Cloning of save sets from virtual tape to a remote disk library through extended
back-end Fibre Channel SAN connectivity:
This allows electronic cloning of a save set or distance, where the remote tape
device is written to by the local disk library storage node.
Recovery of the save set can also be accomplished over that same distance if
necessary.
4. Cloning of the save sets from virtual tape to a second disk library with embedded
storage node over IP:
This provides the ability to:
Clone over a relatively low-cost infrastructure including one that may be already
be in place.
Keep the remote data on disk library disk.
This is particularly useful when a limited amount of data needs to be moved (1 to 2
TB per day depending on the distance).
Performance limitations of the existing IP infrastructure will impact the amount of
data that can be cloned with this solution.
5. Cloning of the save sets from virtual tape to a different or separate NetWorker storage
node over IP:
This provides the ability to clone over a relatively low-cost infrastructure. One that
may be already in place without requiring a second disk library at the remote site.
This is particularly useful when a limited amount of data needs to be moved (1 to 2
TB per day depending on the distance).
Performance limitations of the existing IP infrastructure will impact the amount of
data that can be cloned with this solution.

Cloning with EMC Disk Library using an embedded storage node

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Software Configuration

6. Cloning of save sets in virtual tape libraries on either disk library engine from one disk
library engine addresses these points:
Allows a single embedded storage node to clone from VTLs in either disk library
engine.
Allows a single embedded storage node to clone from other virtual tapes if the
other disk library engine is down.

Cloning operations with embedded storage nodes

The environment that supports this use case provides an additional level of availability for
embedded storage node cloning operations. An embedded storage node is similar to any
other storage node in that the node can use the devices that it can see such as:

Virtual tape library on its own disk library engine

Target tape library (PTL) connected to the same disk library engine

However, it cannot see the virtual tape library in the other disk library engine. But it can:

Treat engine A, which functions as a Fibre Channel initiator, as a SAN client of engine B
that functions as a Fibre Channel target.

Engine B provides the same VTL used by the production node to engine A.

Each disk library engine becomes a SAN client of the other, just like any other
SAN-connected NetWorker storage node. This requires each embedded storage node to
have this capacity.
In the previous scenarios, one or more virtual tape libraries were created within the disk
library and assigned to the NetWorker storage nodes. These virtual tape libraries can be
used by a single or multiple production storage nodes, or by the embedded storage node.
For the embedded storage node to access these virtual tape libraries for cloning
operations, the virtual tape libraries must also be assigned to the NetWorker storage node
which is the SAN client in the Disk Library Console program. This allows the embedded
storage node to:

Read from the virtual tapes that were created by the production storage nodes.

Write to either virtual or physical tape devices that are attached to the disk library or to
a second or remote storage node.

The NetWorker software allows a tape library to be shared by two or more storage nodes.
This can occur in two instances both of which are supported by the embedded storage
node cloning capability:

48

Dynamic Drive Sharing (DDS), where one or more of the tape drives in a tape library are
shared by two or more storage nodes.

Without DDS, where one or more of the tape drives are dedicated (not shared) by two
or more storage nodes.

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Software Configuration

Storage node selection

The purpose of the embedded disk library storage node is to provide a highly efficient
cloning process. A NetWorker datazone has one NetWorker server, one or more storage
nodes, and one or more clients.

Environments with multiple storage nodes

In environments with multiple storage nodes, configure the NetWorker environment so
that the NetWorker software uses the disk library embedded storage node, and not the
production storage nodes to perform the cloning operations.
If not properly configured, it is possible that the NetWorker software will automatically
select a production storage node in place of the embedded storage node. As a result,
cloning might occur between storage nodes over an IP or Ethernet connection.

Cloning node affinity for all disk library virtual tape libraries
By default, the NetWorker software determines which storage node will read a source
volume in a clone operation by first considering if the source volume is already mounted.
While this is an efficient choice for many situations, it is not preferred for environments
where clone operations are to be performed by the disk library embedded storage node.
NetWorker version 7.4 SP1 and later incorporates a feature where the mounted status of a
source volume is ignored when determining the read source for virtual tape libraries.
Note: Use this feature when performing any cloning operation that involves the disk library
embedded storage node. Note that this feature is applied to the NetWorker server, not the
embedded storage node that is running inside the disk library.
The NetWorker software also automatically activates a feature that ignores the mounted
tape status when determining cloning node affinity for all disk library VTLs have the virtual
jukebox attribute set to Yes in the Jukebox resource. This same functionality is available,
but not automatically enabled for all other non-VTL jukeboxes.
To enable this feature on non-VTL jukeboxes on the NetWorker server:
1. Set the environment variable FORCE_REC_AFFINITY to Yes.
2. Restart the NetWorker processes.

Production storage node cloning of data to physical tape

This section outlines the advantages and disadvantages of cloning data to physical tapes:

The NetWorker software can clone from virtual tape in the disk library through a
production storage node to a SAN-attached tape library to produce copies of save
sets. This operation is a standard NetWorker cloning procedure.

For the disk library, a virtual tape drive works in conjunction with a SAN-attached
target tape device to complete the cloning process.

Cloning from a production storage node to a second storage node can also be
performed over IP.

Production storage node cloning of data to physical tape

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Software Configuration

IMPORTANT
Do not use a production storage node to perform cloning operations when the embedded
storage node cloning capability is present.

Advantages
The advantages of cloning data to physical tapes include the following:

Cloning can occur with the disk libraries under NetWorker control with standard
NetWorker policy support. Multiple retentions policies for different cloned copies of
data can be used.

Cloning can occur at the save set level.

Note: An entire save set can be cloned.

Copying can occur from one tape type (virtual) to another tape type (target tape
library), also known as tape conversion.

Copying can occur from multiple virtual tapes to a single tape, also known as tape
stacking.

Disadvantages
The disadvantages of cloning data to physical tapes include the following:

50

Requires storage node licenses.

Requires maintenance of front-end SAN infrastructure to a target tape library as well as

the virtual tape library.

Consumes SAN bandwidth as data must be from virtual tape over the SAN to a target
device on the SAN.

EMC NetWorker Release 8.0 Cloning Integration Guide

CHAPTER 4
Cloning Procedures
This chapter includes the following sections:

Cloning data ...........................................................................................................

Cloning options.......................................................................................................
Automated cloning..................................................................................................
Schedule cloning ....................................................................................................
Volume cloning .......................................................................................................
Save set cloning......................................................................................................
Scripted cloning......................................................................................................
Cloning archived data .............................................................................................
Considerations to improve cloning performance ......................................................
Cloning validation ...................................................................................................
Displaying the backup versions in the GUI ...............................................................

Cloning Procedures

52
52
53
55
59
60
61
65
65
66
66

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Cloning Procedures

Cloning data
NetWorker clone operations can be configured by using several different methods. Each
method is suited to different environments and storage needs. You may need to use
multiple or mixed cloning approaches to achieve the required control and flexibility.
Clone operations can be configured to be run by:

Automatic start (auto-clone)

A schedule

A customized script

NetWorker release 7.6 SP1 and later

In NetWorker release 7.6 SP1 and later, a clone user interface option was introduced for
scheduled clone operations, and provides the following benefits:

Combines the flexibility of using the nsrclone command and avoids some of the
performance limitations that were often associated with the legacy automatic cloning
method.

Eliminates the requirement to create scripted solutions.

NetWorker releases prior to 7.6 SP1

For NetWorker releases prior to 7.6 SP1, the following cloning options are available:

Automated clone operations. These are linked to regular backup group operations and
are enabled through the Backup Group resource.

The nsrclone command combined with a scripted solution.

Cloning options
Table 2 on page 52 lists the cloning options and describes how and when they are
typically used.
Table 2 Cloning options (1 of 2)

52

Cloning option

Description

Automated

Automated cloning is configured through the NMC at the NetWorker group

level. The cloning runs immediately after the group completes, so it might
interfere with the backup window. Automated cloning on page 53
provides details.

Scheduled

Scheduled cloning, introduced with NetWorker 7.6.1, overcomes

limitations in group cloning by providing the ability to set clone schedules
and more flexible options on save set selection and clone pools.
Schedule cloning on page 55 provides details.

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Table 2 Cloning options (2 of 2)

Cloning option

Description

Volume

Volume cloning is performed through the NMC Media window.

The clone of the individual volume runs immediately. Volume cloning on
page 59 provides details.

Save Set

Save set cloning is performed through the NMC Media window:

To build a list of save sets, use the save set query feature.
To clone individual or multiple save sets, review the query results.
Save set cloning on page 60 provides details.

Scripted

Cloning scripts are written by customers.

These scripts use the NetWorker CLI to list and clone save sets. Scripted
cloning on page 61 provides details.

Automated cloning
Note: Use the scheduled cloning GUI instead of using the auto-clone option.
Save sets can be automatically cloned when the backup group that contains them is
completed. Because the cloning occurs immediately after the group completes, this clone
method is suitable for smaller environments, or a small number of clients, where the clone
operations need to be completed quickly and immediately within the backup window.
Unlike scheduled cloning, automated cloning runs immediately after the backup group
completes. This ensures that the backup data is cloned as quickly as possible. However, it
also means that the cloning operation is likely to interfere with the backup window and
might vary in start and end times.

Configuring auto-clone
To configure auto-cloning:
1. In the NetWorker Administration window, select Configuration.
2. Create a Group resource and then select Properties.
3. Specify the Clones option.
4. Select the clone pool that will be used to direct the backup.
The EMC NetWorker Administration Guide provides details on creating a clone pool.
Figure 7 on page 54 displays the auto-clone action. Once the backup of the three save
sets has completed, the clone of the save sets automatically starts. This action provides
two copies of the backup on completion of the savegroup.

Automated cloning

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Cloning Procedures

Figure 7 Auto-clone action

A savegroup that has the auto-clone attribute enabled starts a cloning session after the
backup is complete. If the savegroup is aborted or stopped after the backup is complete,
the auto-clone session does not take place and the following occurs:

Status icon in NMC displays as successful.

Message appears in the logs to indicate that the save set cloning session failed.

Since the group is marked as successful in the NMC, the restart option is not enabled on
the savegroup.
To start the savegroup again, in NMC select start on the savegroup. The backup session
begins with auto-clone enabled.

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Cloning Procedures

Schedule cloning
NetWorker scheduled clone operations can be configured and run in NMC according to a
schedule for predetermined clients, pools, save sets, and devices.
This method is suitable for environments where copies of save sets need to be regularly
provided. Such an environment is typically part of a well-defined maintenance cloning
window, which runs independent of the main backup operation.
Figure 8 on page 55 shows the schedule pane for a clone session.

Figure 8 Setting up a scheduled clone session with Diagnostic View enabled

Schedule cloning

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Cloning Procedures

Scheduling clone operations

To set up a scheduled clone operation:
1. From the Administration window, click Configuration.
2. In the expanded left pane, select Clones.
3. From the File menu, select New.
4. In the Name attribute:
a. Type a unique name to identify the scheduled clone resource.
b. Type additional information in the Comment attribute, if required.
5. To override the save set's original browse and retention policies:
a. Select New policies in the Browse attribute.
b. Select New policies in the Retention attribute.
6. To specify the storage node that will write data during the clone operation, select a
storage node from the Storage node to WRITE save sets attribute.
The Storage node to WRITE save sets attribute is used primarily in conjunction with the
Storage node to READ save sets attribute. This joint usage balances the access to
storage node media across different storage nodes.
Note: If a selection is made in the Storage node to WRITE save sets attribute, it will
override any selection that is described in Criteria for writing the clone on page 39.
7. To specify the storage node that will read the data during the clone operation:
a. Select a storage node value from the Storage node to READ save sets attribute.
This attribute is visible only when Diagnostic mode is selected.
b. Ensure that the selected storage node is included in at least one of the following:
The Recover storage nodes or Storage nodes attribute of the NetWorker servers
Client resource.
A storage node list in the Read Hostname attribute for the Library resource, if a
library is being used.
A storage node on which any device in the library is configured, if a library is
being used.
Note: The Storage node to READ save sets attribute is not intended for use with
stand-alone devices such as AFTDs, file type devices, and Data Domain devices.
8. To specify the clone media pool to write data to during a clone operation, select a
clone type media pool from the Write clone data to pool attribute.
Note: If no selection is made, clones will be written to the default clone pool.

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Cloning Procedures

9. Use the Pool attribute to ensure that only certain media types are used to hold clone
data. Pools direct backups to specific media volumes.
For example, to ensure that this clone session replicates only to:
A certain type of disk, such as a Data Domain type disk, select a clone pool that
uses only Data Domain type disks.
Tape (tape out), select a clone pool that uses only tape devices.
10. Select Continue on save set error to force the NetWorker software to skip invalid save
sets and to continue the clone operation.
If this option is not selected (default setting), an error message results and the clone
operation stops if an invalid save set or invalid volume identifier is encountered.
11. To restrict the number of clone instances that can be created for any save set that is
included in the particular scheduled clone operation:
a. Type a value in the Limit number of save set clones attribute.
A value of zero (0) means that an unlimited number of clones might be created for
this scheduled clone operation. The NetWorker software allows one copy of a save
set on any given volume since a clone is created for each volume in the pool. Only
one clone is created for each run of a scheduled clone operation.
b. Consider limiting the number of save set clones in cases where the clone operation
has not completed and is being retried.
For example, if you type a value of 1 in this attribute and then retry a partially
completed clone operation, only the save sets that were not successfully cloned
the first time will be eligible for cloning. In this way, unnecessary clone instances
will not be created.
Regardless of the value in this attribute, the NetWorker software always limits the
number of save set clone instances to one per volume. A clone pool can have
multiple volumes. This attribute limits the number of save set clone instances that
can be created for a clone pool in a particular scheduled clone operation.
12. Select Enable to allow the clone session to run at its scheduled time.
13. In the Start Time attribute, perform either of the following:
Click the up and down arrows to select the time to start the clone session.
or
Type the time directly into the attribute fields.
14. From the Schedule Period attribute:
a. Select Weekly by day or Monthly by day depending on how you want to schedule
the clone session.
b. Select the days of the week or month on which the scheduled clone is to occur.
15. To repeat the clone session within a day, specify an Interval time in hours.
For example, if the start time is 6 a.m., and the interval is 6 hours, then the clone
session will run at 6 a.m., 12 p.m., and 6 p.m.

Schedule cloning

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Cloning Procedures

16. If the Limit the number of save set clones value is set, then the repeat clone session
skips those save sets in the pool for which the specified number of clones already
exists.
17. Click the Save Set Filters tab to specify the save sets to be included in this scheduled
clone session.
To limit save sets by various filter criteria, perform either of the following:
Select the clone save sets that match selections.
or
Select the clone specific save sets to explicitly identify the save sets to be cloned.
18. Click OK to save the scheduled clone session.

Displaying a list of the save sets that will be cloned based on the filter criteria
To display a list of the save sets that will be cloned based on the filter criteria that you
specified, select Preview Save Set Selection.

Cloning save sets that match selection criteria

To clone save sets that match selection criteria, specify selection criteria to limit the save
sets that will be included in this scheduled session. You can select the following criteria:

Groups (savegroups)

Clients (client resources)

Pools (backup pools)

Filter save sets by level (backup level)

Filter save sets by name (save set name as specified in the Client resource)

Include save sets from the previous (save sets from the past number of days, weeks,
months, or years)

Cloning specific save sets

To clone specific save sets:
1. Type the specific save set ID/clone ID (SSID/clonid) identifiers in the Clone specific
save sets list box.
2. Type each SSID/cloneid value on a separate line.
3. You can query save set IDs/clone IDs by using one of the following methods:
Selecting the Administration > Media user interface
or
Using the mminfo command

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Cloning Procedures

Starting scheduled clone operations manually

You can start a scheduled clone session at any time without affecting the regularly
scheduled start time.
To start a scheduled clone session manually:
1. From the Administration window, click Configuration.
2. In the expanded left pane, select Clones.
3. Right-click a clone resource in the right pane.
4. Click Start.
You can also start a scheduled clone from the NetWorker Monitoring feature.

Monitoring scheduled clone operations

In the Monitoring window of the Administration GUI, you can view the following:

Status of scheduled clone sessions

Scheduled clone's last start and end time

Completion status of each save set that is included in the scheduled clone

Viewing the clone status of a save set

To determine whether save set on a volume is a clone, or was cloned, check the window
on the Query Save Set tab on a volume that has been cloned, or is a clone.

Volume cloning
Volume cloning is the process of reproducing complete save sets from a storage volume to
a clone volume. You can clone save set data from backup or archive volumes.
Volume cloning uses nsrclone. However, it uses the volume name as an argument. Cloning
in the NetWorker software operates at the save set level and does not specifically
duplicate tape volume. This might result in multiple volumes being used.
The following describes the volume cloning process:
1. Instructs nsrclone to clone all of the save sets that exist on a particular volume.
2. When volumes are cloned, a list of all of the save sets that reside on them is created,
and these in turn are then cloned.
3. Save sets that begin (header sections of continued save sets) on a specified volume
will be completely copied:
Volumes may be requested during the cloning operation in addition to those
specified on the command line.
Save sets that reside on the specified volumes that begin elsewhere (middle
sections or tail sections of continued save sets) are not cloned.

Volume cloning

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Save set cloning

To manually clone a save set:
1. From the Administration window, click Media.
2. In the expanded left pane, select Save Sets.
3. In the right pane:
a. Click the Query Save Set tab.
b. Use the Query Save Set tab to specify options to limit the range of save sets
displayed.
c. All query options are optional except for the date. A date range must be selected.
Note: The text boxes in the Query Save Set tab are case-sensitive.
4. Type values in any of these attributes to limit the search:
Client Name
Save Set
Save Set ID
Volume
Pool
5. Use the Copies attribute to limit the search to only those save sets that have already
been cloned:
a. Select a boolean value from the list:
Greater than (>)
Equal to (=)
Less than (<)
b. Type the number of clones to complete the search criteria for the Copies attribute.
For example, to search for only those save sets that have been cloned at least twice,
select greater than (>) and then type 1 as the number of copies.
6. Use the Save Time attribute to limit the search to a period of time in which the save set
was created.
By default, yesterday is used for the start date, and today is used for the end date. This
means that save sets backed up between yesterday at 12:01 a.m. and the current time
will be displayed.
For the From and To date fields, any of these formats are acceptable:
Written out completely (for example, November 1, 2009)
Numerically as mm/dd/yy (for example, 11/01/09)
Date and time selection from the list

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Cloning Procedures

Note: A long date range might result in too many selected save sets. This can increase
response time or even require that you close and reopen the browser connection to
the NetWorker Console.
7. Use the Status attribute to limit the search to save sets that have a particular status.
The values that can be selected include the following:
All
Browsable
Recyclable
Scanned-in
Recoverable
Suspect
8. Use the Maximum Level attribute to limit the search to save sets of a particular backup
level.
The level All is specified by default. All the levels up to and including the selected level
are displayed. For example:
If you select level 5, save sets backed up at levels full, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are
displayed.
If you select level Full, only those save sets backed up at level full are displayed.
If you select All, save sets for all levels are displayed.
9. Click the Save Set List tab. The save sets that fit the criteria appear in the Save Sets
list.
10. From the Save Set list, select the save sets to clone.
11. From the Media menu, select Clone.
12. From the Target Clone Media Pool list, select a clone pool.
13. Click OK, then click Yes on the confirmation screen.

Scripted cloning
As of NetWorker 7.6 SP1, most of the functionality provided in the nsrclone.exe command
is now provided in the NMC Clone resource user interface.
However, for some situations or circumstances, the use of the nsrclone.exe command
within a script can still have advantages. For example, a scripted cloning solution could be
used for any of the following scenarios:

To control the conditions before cloning occurs. For example, following a specific
event or test, or as part of a workflow.

To control the actions after cloning has been successful. For example, deleting files, or
moving data as part of a workflow.

Scripted cloning

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Cloning Procedures

To control the cloning as part of an enterprise management scheduler that is

independent of NetWorker scheduling or NMC.

To create multiple clones. For example, clone 1 on disk, clone 2 to tape, each with
specific dependencies, timing, and logic.

Note: When using the scripted cloning feature, use the latest versions of NetWorker
software. This will minimize the complexity of the logic in the cloning script.

NetWorker 7.6 Service Pack 1 enhancements

As of NetWorker 7.6 SP1, most of the functionality provided in the nsrclone command is
now provided in the NMC Clone resource user interface. The updated nsrclone command
also contains a number of enhancements that can significantly reduce the size and
complexity of any script.
Table 3 on page 63 provides the descriptions of the options that can be used with the
nsrclone command.

NetWorker 7.5 enhancements

As of NetWorker 7.5, the nsrclone command has been enhanced to provide greater
flexibility when selecting save sets for cloning by:

62

Clients

Groups

Save set names

Save set levels

The number of valid copies

The number of clones not yet created in the target pool

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Cloning Procedures

nsrclone option descriptions

Table 3 on page 63 provides the descriptions of the options that can be used with the
nsrclone command.
Table 3 Descriptions of nsrclone options
Options

Description

-C less than copies in target pool

Specifies the upper non-inclusive integer limit such that only save sets with a lesser number
of clone copies in the target clone pool are considered for cloning. This option is useful when
retrying aborted clone operations. Because the target is a clone pool, each save set's
original copy or clone is never considered when counting the number of copies of the save
set. Likewise, any AFTD read-only mirror clone is not considered because its read or write
master clone is counted and there is only one physical clone copy between the related clone
pair. Recyclable, aborted, incomplete and unusable save set or clones are excluded in the
counting. This option can be used only with the -t or -e option.

-l level or range

Specifies the level or n1-n2 integer range from 0 to 9 for save sets that are considered for
cloning. Manual for ad-hoc or client-initiated save sets, full for level full save sets, incr for
level incremental save sets, and integers 0 through 9, where save set0 also means full, can
be used. More than one level can be specified by using multiple -l options and the -l n1 to n2
range format. This option can be used only with the -t or -e option.

-N save set name

Specifies the save set name for save sets that are considered for cloning. More than one
save set name can be specified by using multiple -N options. This option can be used only
with the -t or -e option.

-c client name

Specifies the save sets in the particular client. More than one client name can be specified
by using multiple -c options. This option can be used only with the -t or -e option.

-g group name

Specifies the save sets in the particular group. More than one group name can be specified
by using multiple -g options. This option can be used only with the -t or -e option.

Using the nsrclone options

The following examples show how various options can be used with the nsrclone
command:
1. Copy all save sets created in the last twenty-four hours for the clients Mars and Jupiter
with save set names /data1 and /data2 for only backup level full:
nsrclone -S -e now -c mars -c jupiter -N /data1 -N /data2 -l full

2. Copy all save sets that were not copied to the default clone pool in a prior partially
aborted nsrclone session:
nsrclone -S -e now -C 1

3. Copy all save sets that were not copied to the default clone pool in a previous partially
aborted nsrclone session and with extended retention and browse periods:
nsrclone -S -e now -C 1 -y 12/12/2010 -w 12/12/2009

Scripted cloning

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Using the nsrclone command to specify a browse and retention policy

When using nsrclone you are able to specify a browse and retention policy from the
command prompt.

Specifying a retention policy

To specify a retention policy from the command prompt, perform one of the following:

Use the nsrclone command with the -y option when creating a clone save set.

Specify a retention policy for an existing clone save set by using the nsrmm -e
command.

Specifying a browse policy

To specify a browse policy from the command prompt, use the nsrclone command with the
-w option when creating a clone save set.
Note: Be aware that this will also change the browse policy of the original save set
instance if the original save set's browse time has not passed and is earlier than the new
browse time for the clone.

NSR clone resources

Clone resources that are created with the nsradmin programs NSR clone resources cannot
be edited as scheduled clone resources in the NetWorker Administration graphical user
interface GUI.
To avoid this issue, perform one of the following:

Create scheduled clone resources in the Administration interface. Scheduling clone

operations on page 56 provides more information.

Create a NSR clone resource, if required with the nsradmin program:

a. Create a corresponding NSR task resource with the nsradmin program. Together,
these resources will enable you to edit the clone item as a scheduled clone
resource in the GUI.
b. The corresponding NSR task resource must have its Name and Action attributes
specified as follows:
name: "clone.nsrclone_resource_name"
action: "NSR clone:nsrclone_resource_name"

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Cloning Procedures

Cloning archived data

You can schedule a clone session to clone archive data or clone archive data manually.

Scheduling a clone session for archive data

To set up a scheduled clone session for archive data:
1. Follow the steps in Scheduling clone operations on page 56.
2. Select an archive pool as one of your save set filter criteria.

Cloning an archive volume manually

To clone an archive volume manually:
1. From the Administration window, click Media.
2. In the expanded left pane, select Save Sets.
3. In the right pane, click the Query Save Set tab.
4. In the Pool attribute:
a. Select an archive pool from the list.
b. Make other selections, as appropriate, to limit the save set search criteria.
Starting scheduled clone operations manually on page 59 provides more
information.
5. Click the Save Set List tab.
6. Select the archive save sets to clone from the Save Set list.
7. From the Media menu, select Clone.
8. From the Target Clone Media Pool list, select an archive clone pool.
9. Click OK.
10. Click Yes on the confirmation screen.

Considerations to improve cloning performance

Cloning can be performed in parallel so that multiple clone sessions can be active at the
same time. However, the number and speed of this will depend on the devices that are
being used and the method that is employed to start the cloning operation.
Consider the following:

Automatic cloning is based on a savegroup and is a single-threaded process.

For a given group, the NetWorker software runs only one clone at a time, regardless of
the parallelism setting.

Other groups that have auto-clone configured are able to run in parallel. However, they
will also run only one clone at a time, assuming that there is no contention for
volumes or devices.

Cloning archived data

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Cloning validation
Clone data does not require validation because the data is read from the source in its
native and self-describing form and then it is written to the target. The action of creating a
clone validates the ability to read the source data from the media. Therefore, subsequent
clone operations based on the clone will also be validated as further copies are created.
If there are actions that are expected after a clone operation, then it is likely that some
form of validation is used. This is important if the follow-on action has a destructive or
irreversible nature, such as the deletion of the source data through expiration or
relabeling.
For individual save sets, use the mminfo command to check that the clone save set is valid
and not in an aborted or error state.
Additional clone copies can also be used to:

Validate that the save set is able to be read

Provide additional assurance and protection.

Although a check of individual save sets may help confirm a successful clone operation, it
does not confirm that recovery is possible:

Additional save sets may also be required as part of the recovery.

Always ensure that all save sets have been identified and cloned successfully.

Application-based backups are a particular example where multiple save sets may be
required.

Displaying the backup versions in the GUI

After the scanning the data is complete, you can display the backup in the NetWorker User
program.
You can display the data by using one of the following methods:

If the application object is present in the most recent backup, you can view versions
for that application object. The versions are not cached, so a newly scanned version
should be detected if present:
a. From the View Versions pane, look for the savetime that the data was scanned.
b. If the savetime is found, choose this savetime as the new browse time to proceed.
c. Use the Change Browse Time attribute to set the time slightly ahead of the most
recent save set that was scanned.

If you are restoring from an incremental backup:

a. Validate that the prior full and all incremental backups are also visible as backup
versions.
b. Run View Versions for the application object.

66

If the scanned backup version does not appear in the NetWorker User program,
validate the rollover save set.

EMC NetWorker Release 8.0 Cloning Integration Guide

CHAPTER 5
Recovering Data from Clones
This chapter includes the following sections:

Clones recovery.......................................................................................................
Recovery scenarios .................................................................................................
Required save sets and volumes for recovery of cloned data ...................................
Recovery tasks ........................................................................................................

Recovering Data from Clones

68
68
70
75

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Clones recovery
When using cloning, ensure that you can recover the cloned save sets for all of the
recovery scenarios that are expected to occur. These recovery scenarios and the steps to
recover the cloned save sets are likely to be specific to the situation. Recovery scenarios
on page 68 provides details.
To ensure that the recovery of cloned data:

Verify that all relevant recovery scenarios have been accounted for as described in
Recovery scenarios on page 68. For example, if you expect to rely on the clone copy
for recovery, then you must ensure that the recovered save sets come from the clone
copy and not from the original volume. This is important for situations where both or
all copies are available, as well as when the original is not. Selecting clone volumes
to recover data from on page 74 provides details.

Ensure that all the required save sets and volumes are available for recovery.
Required save sets and volumes for recovery of cloned data on page 70 provides
detailed information.

Ensure that recovery procedures are in place and have been regularly tested as
described in Recovery tasks on page 75.

Recovery scenarios
When a recovery operation is initiated, there are two common assumptions about recovery
operation:

That the recovery will be performed within a short period of time after the backup
(hours or days).

That the recovery will use the original data volumes and that the backup server will be
fully operational. You can use the standard NetWorker recovery procedure because
the backups are present in both the client file indexes and the media database.
Required save sets and volumes for recovery of cloned data on page 70 provides
details.

However, if the recovery operation occurs after the NetWorker browse or retention periods
have expired or following a site or building loss, then the volumes may not be readily
available and additional actions might be required. Table 4 on page 69 details the
recovery scenarios and necessary actions.

Browse and retention periods

In many restore operations, the request to restore the data arrives soon after the backup
has completed. In these circumstances the browse and retention periods are likely to be
still valid and recovery is simple. Required save sets and volumes for recovery of cloned
data on page 70 provides details on how to restore cloned data in this scenario.
In cases where the browse and retention periods have expired, additional effort might be
required to perform a restore operation. It is important to consider this when determining
the browse and retention periods for the backup and the clone copies. Consider the
browse and retention policies on page 30 provides more information on how to restore
cloned data in this scenario.

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Recovering Data from Clones

Identifying the recovery options

If the recovery is not readily available, perform the following:
1. Identify the backup or clone save sets that are required.
2. Investigate the cause and attempt to remedy the situation. Table 4 on page 69
provides details.
3. Seek alternative recovery options if required. Recovery tasks on page 75 provides
details.
The NetWorker software has various log files that contain information about the volumes,
status, and history of cloning operations. These can be viewed and monitored from the
NetWorker Administration window or recovered from previous server backups.
Clone-related messages are also logged to the NetWorker message file and the savegrp
log file, which are located in the NetWorker_install_dir\logs directory.

Review the recovery scenarios

If the recovery is not immediately available or successful, review the following list of
recovery scenarios to help determine the cause and the resolution if available.
Table 4 NetWorker restore scenarios (1 of 2)
Restore scenario

Description

Section

Recovering original or clone

data that is browsable. The
save sets appear in both the
client file index and in the
media database.

The backups are present and browsable in both the client file
indexes and in the media database.

Restoring cloned data that is

browsable in the client file
index on page 75

The browse period has elapsed

and the client file index entries
have been purged.

The client index information has been purged because the

browse period has elapsed.
Although you can use the media database to identify the
volumes and the save sets, you cannot perform a partial or
item-level recovery operation.
If the browse policy has elapsed, you can:
Use the nsrck -L7 -t command to recover the client file index
entries.
or
Use the scanner command to recreate the client file index
entries.

Restoring recyclable save

sets to the client file index on
page 79

The browse and retention

periods have both elapsed but
the volume has not been
recycled since the data that is
still within the retention
period.

The media database entries have been marked as expired but

the volume has not been recycled (relabeled).
If the volume has not been recycled, then the media database
entries will still exist. You must mark the media database entries
in the media database as eligible for recovery.

Restoring recyclable save

sets to the client file index on
page 79

The browse and retention

periods have both expired and
the volume has been recycled.

If the volume has been recycled, then the media entries have
been purged. In this case the data is longer available to recover
from and alternative recovery sources will need to be used.

Selecting clone volumes to

recover data from on page 74

Recovery scenarios

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Table 4 NetWorker restore scenarios (2 of 2)

Restore scenario

Description

Section

One or more volumes are

missing or are offline.

Some or all of the original backup volumes are no longer

The EMC NetWorker
available for restore:
Administration Guide
provides detailed
If the volumes are offsite or in storage, then they can be easily
information.
recalled and made available to the online NetWorker server so
that the recovery operation can continue. In this situation the Restoring save sets that
media database entries are still available and valid. A mount
are not in the media
operation or library inventory may also be required to make
database on page 81
the volumes available.
If the media database entries are not available or are invalid,
use the scanner command to repopulate the media entries so
that the NetWorker server knows what data is on that volume.

The clone volume does not

contain all of the save sets that
are required to be recovered.

If the clone volumes do not contain all of the necessary data for
the recovery, then the number of available recovery options
might be limited.
Data might be able to be recovered, if:
The original bootstrap (media and client index) information is
available.
The original volumes still exist and can be used for recovery.
A recovery of that data might not be possible in cases where:
No bootstrap backups exist for the period of time where the
recovery is requested.
The original data volumes are missing or have been recycled.

Restoring recoverable
save sets to the client file
index on page 77
Restoring save sets that
are not in the media
database on page 81

The NetWorker server does not

have knowledge or any
database records of the
backup.

The NetWorker server has been rebuilt or has been recently

recovered and all or most records of the previous backups are
missing.
A full recovery of the media database and client file indexes is
required before any client recovery operation can be initiated.
The recovery should include media and client index entries for all
the volumes, clients, and dates available. This relies on the
NetWorker server bootstrap backups.

The EMC NetWorker Disaster

Recovery Guide provides

detailed information.

Required save sets and volumes for recovery of cloned data

Before initiating a recovery it is important to ensure that all the required save sets and
volumes are available for recovery:

Generating a media database listing of all of the save sets on page 71

Determining the status of a save set in the media database on page 71

Save set requirements on page 72

When clone volumes are being used, ensure that all the clone save sets are available for
recovery. Selecting clone volumes to recover data from on page 74 provides details.

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Recovering Data from Clones

Generating a media database listing of all of the save sets

To generate a media database listing of all of the required save sets:
1. At command line prompt on the NetWorker server, type the following command to
generate a list of the cloned save sets in the media database:
mminfo -S -s NW_server_name -c NW_client_name
-q "group= group_name, savetime>date1, savetime<date2"
-ot 1>output.txt 2>&1

where:
NW_server_name is the name of the NetWorker server host.
NW_client_name is the name of the NetWorker client host.
group_name is the name of the group which contained the NetWorker client when
the backup occurred.
date1 is at least one day before the date range of the NetWorker clone to be
restored.
date2 is at least one day after the date range of the NetWorker clone to be restored.
For example, to list the save set details which reside on a NetWorker server called
krkr-pdc.krkr.local, an NMM client named krkr8x64.krkr.local in a group called grupa2
on dates Dec 14 13:48:00 2010 and Dec 15 13:57:00 2010, use the command:
mminfo -S -s krkr-pdc.krkr.local -c krkr8x64.krkr.local -q
"group=grupa2,savetime>12/14/2010 13:48:00,savetime<12/15/2010
13:57:00" > out3.txt

2. Edit the output.txt file, which resides in the same directory where the mminfo
command was run.
If the output file contains the following message, the media database does not
contain the NetWorker save sets for the client or query options specified:
mminfo: no matches found for the query

Make adjustments to the query options specified in the mminfo command.

or
Restore the media database. Restoring save sets that are not in the media
database on page 81 provides details.

Determining the status of a save set in the media database

To determine the status of a save set in the media database, use the mminfo command.
You can use the ssflags attribute to provide a summary of the status of each save set.
When generating a report of the ssflags summary of save sets:

An r in the ssflags output denotes that a save set is recoverable and that it has
exceeded its defined browse policy.

An E in the ssflags output denotes a save set that is eligible for recycling and that it
has exceeded its defined retention policy. This is also referred to as an expired save
set.

Required save sets and volumes for recovery of cloned data

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Recovering Data from Clones

In the case of incremental or differential save sets, the ssflags value will contain an E only
when all dependent incremental, differential, or full backups have also exceeded their
defined retention policy period.
When all save sets on a volume are eligible for recycling, the volume can be overwritten.

Save set requirements

Note: Do not use the procedures until you are familiar with all of the save set
requirements.
Recovering data from media that has either expired or is recyclable requires that you
identify the save sets for the backup:

If you are know the list of required save sets that are to be recovered, perform the
steps outlined in Using the backup time to list all of the save sets on page 72.

If you do not know all of the required save sets that are to be recovered, perform the
steps outlined in Using savetime to determine the full set of save sets to recover on
page 73.

Using the backup time to list all of the save sets

If you are familiar with the required save set for the NetWorker software, you can use the
backup time to ensure that all of the cover save sets are displayed:
mminfo -v -ot -q "group=group_name,saveset>date1,saveset<date2"
-r "ssid, cloneid, nsavetime, ssflags, level, savetime(22),
ssbrowse, ssretent, name, client, volume" 1>output.txt 2>&1

where:

group_name is the name of the group which contained the NetWorker client when the
backup occurred.

date1 is at least one day before the date range of the NetWorker clone to be restored.

date2 is at least one day after the date range of the NetWorker clone to be restored.

This query will return all of the save sets for the group in the time range specified. The -ot
flag sorts the save sets by time and the information is stored in a file called output.txt.
This file resides in the same directory from which the mminfo command was run.
Note: If you experience restore issues using this easier method, use the procedures in
Generating a media database listing of all of the save sets on page 71 to validate the
output.

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Recovering Data from Clones

Using savetime to determine the full set of save sets to recover

You can use the mminfo command to identify the required savetime range for the backup
version that is being restored by querying the media database. The savetime range is used
to query the media database.
The savetime range is the day before (date1) and the day after (date2) the date of the
backup which is to be restored.
IMPORTANT
If the backup that is to be restored was an incremental level backup or a differential level
backup, you must increase the savetime range to include the sequence of the full and the
level backups.
To determine the full set of save sets to recover:
1. For the version of the backup that is being restored, identify the required savetime
range.
If you are restoring a filesystem, you might need to:
a. Expand the savetime range to include the sequence of full and incremental
backups.
b. Adjust the savetime range accordingly.
2. Identify the save set name that was used to backup for the filesystem that is being
restored.
3. Use the savetime range to generate the media database listing for the backup:
mminfo -S -s server -c client -q
"group=group, savetime>date1, savetime<date2"

For example, use the following command to restore a backup that occurred on
4/28/2010:
mminfo -S -s bv-nwsvr-1 -c bv-accounting-1 -q
"group=BV-accounting-1_Group,savetime>4/27/2010,savetime<4/29/20
10"

where:
bv-accounting-1 is the NetWorker client.
bv-nwsvr-1 is the NetWorker server.
BV-accounting-1_Group is the group.
4. Identify the most recent full backup for the filesystem save set in the mminfo report.
The full backup should be identified by using a rollover save set:
Save set name of the filesystem.
Save set name does not have the K in the sflags.
5. Obtain the *snap_sessionid from the full backup.

Required save sets and volumes for recovery of cloned data

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Recovering Data from Clones

Selecting clone volumes to recover data from

Review the following procedure to ensure that the recovery comes from the clone copy and
not the original in situations where both or all of the copies are available.
The volume, either a clone or original volume, that is selected for a recovery operation is
determined as follows:
1. The highest priority is given to the volume (clone or original volume) that has a
complete, non-suspect, save set status. A complete save set that is suspect has a
higher priority than an incomplete non-suspect save set.
The EMC NetWorker Administration Guide provides information about changing the
status of a save set.
2. If the volumes still have equal priority, then priority is given to the mounted volume.
3. If the volumes are mounted, then priority is based on the media type. The media types
from highest-to-lowest priority are:
a. Advanced file type device
b. File type device
c. Other (such as tape or optical)
4. If the volumes are not mounted, then priority is based on the media location. The
media locations from highest-to-lowest priority are:
a. Volumes in a library
b. Volumes in an AlphaStor or SmartMedia controlled library
c. Volumes that are not in a library but are onsite (offsite flag is not set)
d. Volumes that are offsite (offsite flag is set)
5. Use the nsrmm command to specify that a volume is offsite. For example:
nsrmm -o offsite -V volume_id

The volumes required for recovery appear in the Required Volumes window of the
NetWorker User program. The EMC NetWorker Administration Guide provides information
on viewing volumes that are required for data recovery.
You can also run the scanner program on a clone volume to rebuild entries in the client file
index, the media database, or both. After you re-create the entries, normal recovery is
available. The EMC NetWorker Administration Guide provides information on restoring a
save set entry in the online indexes.

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Recovering Data from Clones

Recovery tasks
This section discusses recovery from cloned save sets to help you identify what save sets
are required, and ensure that these save sets are in a state that can be used for recovery:

Restoring cloned data that is browsable in the client file index on page 75

Restoring recoverable save sets to the client file index on page 77

Restoring recyclable save sets to the client file index on page 79

Restoring save sets that are not in the media database on page 81

To restore the data from full and incremental backups:

For each backup, repeat the tasks listed in this section until all of the incremental
backups that occurred after the full backups have been recorded.

To restore multiple clients, repeat the recovery tasks for each client.

Restoring cloned data that is browsable in the client file index

Recover cloned data that is browsable by using the standard NetWorker recovery
procedure since the backups are present in both the client file indexes and are in the
media database.
No special operation is required to recover cloned data. The EMC NetWorker

Administration Guide provides detailed information.

For each save set, if the backup has expired but its save sets are still listed as recyclable in
the mminfo output, you must restore the online client file indexes.
To restore the online client file indexes:
1. For each save set, reset the browse and retention time:
nsrmm -e time1 -w time2 -S SSID/cloneid

where
time1 is the required retention time.
time2 is the required browse time.
SSID is the save set value recorded for each save set from the output of the mminfo
command.
If the cloneid is not identified with the -S option, the following error message appears:
Save set ssid cannot be marked as notrecyclable. Please specify the
ssid/cloneid of the particular clone instance.

2. For each save set, use its associated SSID and cloneid that is recorded in the List
Required Save sets section to reset the save set to expired/recoverable:
nsrmm -o notrecyclable -S SSID/cloneid

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Recovering Data from Clones

3. Repopulate the client file index with the save set information:
nsrck -L 7 -t date client 1>nsrck.txt 2>&1

where:
date is a date after the completion of the latest save set that will be restored.
client is the name of the NetWorker client.
Note: Ensure that the volume containing the index backup is available for mounting.
4. Review the output in nsrck.txt for errors once the command has completed:
If the following messages are reported, type the following command:
nsrck -L 2 client

where client is the name of the NetWorker client.

Messages:
19779:nsrck: Please run ``nsrck clientname''
9348:nsrck: The index recovery for ' clientname ' failed.
39078:nsrck: SYSTEM error: The operation completed successfully.

File attribute messages such as the following will not impact the restore and can be
safely ignored:
32222:uasm: Warning: Some file attributes were not recovered:
C:\Program
Files\Legato\nsr\index\clientname\db6\tmprecov\C\Program
Files\Legato\nsr\index\clientname\db6\

If the nsrck command fails with the error "xxxxx", the index backup might no longer
be referenced in the media database.
Use the following command to scan all SSIDs recorded for each save set:
scanner -i -S SSID device

where:
SSID is the save set id of the save set that will be restored.
device is the device containing the volume for the save set to be restored.
5. Ensure that the NetWorker User program is closed on the NMM clients before running
the scanner command. If the program is open while scanner is run, the scanner
command may fail with the following errors:
For NetWorker 7.6.1 and earlier:
"Index error, flush Failed"

For NetWorker 7.6.2 and later:

"8829:scanner: (ssid 2772567781) index error, store failed"
"39077:scanner: error, Cannot unlink the existing key file
C:\Program"
"Files\Legato\nsr\index\bv-e2007sp3-ccr\db6\4d420000\4d4206e1.k0
before re-creating it. Error 'Permission denied"

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Recovering Data from Clones

6. For each save set, modify the browse times of the existing save sets, if browse and
retention times set by scanner are not a long enough duration to complete recovery
procedures:
nsrmm -s NetWorker_server_name -w time2 -S SSID

where:
NetWorker_server_name is the name of the NetWorker server.
time2 is the new browse time.
SSID is the save set value recorded for each save set.
7. Ensure that the new browse dates for the save sets are far enough in the future to
allow sufficient time for the restore to complete.
8. Restore the data. The EMC NetWorker Administration Guide provides detailed
information.

Restoring recoverable save sets to the client file index

If the backup save sets for the rollover, display, metadata and cover save set that are
recoverable, they can be made browsable for the required length of time to perform the
restore operation. For example sflags=vrF.
To recover recoverable save sets to the client file index:
1. For each display, metadata and rollover save set, modify the browse and retention
times of the existing save sets:
nsrmm -s NetWorker_server_name -e time1 -S SSID

where:
NetWorker_server_name is the name of the NetWorker server.
time1 is the new retention time.
SSID is the save set value recorded for save set.
Note: Ensure that the new browse and retention dates for the save sets are far enough
in the future to allow sufficient time for the restore operation to complete.
2. Repopulate the client file index on the NetWorker server with the save set information:
nsrck -L 7 -t date client 1>nsrck.txt 2>&1

where:
date is a date after the completion of the latest save set that will be restored.
client is the name of the NetWorker client.
Note: Ensure that the volume containing the index backup is available for mounting.

Recovery tasks

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Recovering Data from Clones

3. Review the output in nsrck.txt for errors once the command has completed.
Consider the following:
If the following messages are reported, run the following command:
nsrck -L 2 client

where client is the name of the NetWorker client.

Messages:
19779:nsrck: Please run ``nsrck clientname''
9348:nsrck: The index recovery for ' clientname ' failed.
39078:nsrck: SYSTEM error: The operation completed successfully.

File attribute messages such as the following will not impact the NetWorker restore
and can be safely ignored:
32222:uasm: Warning: Some file attributes were not recovered:
C:\Program
Files\Legato\nsr\index\clientname\db6\tmprecov\C\Program
Files\Legato\nsr\index\clientname\db6\

If the nsrck command fails with the error "xxxxx", the index backup might no longer
be referenced in the media database. Use the following command to scan all SSIDs
recorded for each save set:
scanner -i -S SSID device

where:
SSID is the save set id of the save set that will be restored.
device is the device containing the volume for the save set to be restored.
4. Ensure that the NetWorker User program is closed on the NMM clients before running
the scanner command. If the program is open while scanner is run, the scanner
command may fail with the following errors:
For NetWorker 7.6.1 and earlier:
"Index error, flush Failed"

For NetWorker 7.6.2 and later:

"8829:scanner: (ssid 2772567781) index error, store failed"
"39077:scanner: error, Cannot unlink the existing key file
C:\Program"
"Files\Legato\nsr\index\bv-e2007sp3-ccr\db6\4d420000\4d4206e1.k0
before re-creating it. Error 'Permission denied"

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5. For each save set, modify the browse times of the existing save sets. If browse and
retention times set by scanner are not a long enough duration to complete recovery
procedures:
nsrmm -s NetWorker_server_name -w time2 -S SSID

where:
NetWorker_server_name is the name of the NetWorker server.
time2 is the new desired browse time.
SSID is the save set value recorded for each save set.
Note: Ensure that the new browse dates for the save sets are far enough in the future
to allow sufficient time for the restore to complete.
6. Restore the data. The EMC NetWorker Administration Guide provides detailed
information.

Restoring recyclable save sets to the client file index

For each save set, if the backup has expired but its save sets are still listed as recyclable in
the mminfo output, you must restore the online client file indexes.
To restore the online client file indexes:
1. For each save set, reset the browse and retention time:
nsrmm -e time1 -w time2 -S SSID/cloneid

where:
time1 is the required retention time.
time2 is the required browse time.
SSID is the save set value recorded for each save set from the output of the mminfo
command.
If the cloneid is not identified with the -S option, the following error message appears:
Save set ssid cannot be marked as notrecyclable. Please specify the
ssid/cloneid of the particular clone instance.

2. For each save set, use its associated SSID and cloneid that is recorded in the List
Required Save sets section to reset the save set to expired/recoverable:
nsrmm -o notrecyclable -S SSID/cloneid

3. Repopulate the client file index with the save set information:
nsrck -L 7 -t date client 1>nsrck.txt 2>&1

where:
date is a date after the completion of the latest save set that will be restored.
client is the name of the NetWorker client.
Note: Ensure that the volume containing the index backup is available for mounting.

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4. Review the output in nsrck.txt for errors once the command has completed:
If the following messages are reported, type the following command:
nsrck -L 2 client

where client is the name of the NetWorker client.

Messages:
19779:nsrck: Please run ``nsrck clientname''
9348:nsrck: The index recovery for ' clientname ' failed.
39078:nsrck: SYSTEM error: The operation completed successfully.

File attribute messages such as the following will not impact the NetWorker restore
and can be safely ignored:
32222:uasm: Warning: Some file attributes were not recovered:
C:\Program
Files\Legato\nsr\index\clientname\db6\tmprecov\C\Program
Files\Legato\nsr\index\clientname\db6\

If the nsrck command fails with the error "xxxxx", the index backup might no longer
be referenced in the media database. Use the following command to scan all SSIDs
recorded for the save sets:
scanner -i -S SSID device

where:
SSID is the save set id of the save set that will be restored.
device is the device containing the volume for the save set to be restored.
5. Ensure that the NetWorker User program is closed on the NMM clients before running
the scanner command. If the program is open while scanner is run, the scanner
command may fail with the following errors:
For NetWorker 7.6.1 and earlier:
"Index error, flush Failed"

For NetWorker 7.6.2 and later:

"8829:scanner: (ssid 2772567781) index error, store failed"
"39077:scanner: error, Cannot unlink the existing key file
C:\Program"
"Files\Legato\nsr\index\bv-e2007sp3-ccr\db6\4d420000\4d4206e1.k0
before re-creating it. Error 'Permission denied"

6. Modify the browse times of the existing save sets, if browse and retention times set by
scanner are not a long enough duration to complete recovery procedures:
nsrmm -s NetWorker_server_name -w time2 -S SSID

where:
NetWorker_server_name is the name of the NetWorker server.
time2 is the new browse time.
SSID is the save set value recorded for each save set.
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Note: Ensure that the new browse dates for the save sets are far enough in the future
to allow sufficient time for the restore to complete.
7. Restore the data. The EMC NetWorker Administration Guide provides detailed
information.

Restoring save sets that are not in the media database

If the clones are no longer in the media database, you must scan the clone volumes to
regenerate the media database and the client file index database for these save sets.
The following procedures are used to perform this task:

Task 1: Identify the clone volumes that are required for scanning on page 81

Task 2: Disable the Idle Device Timeout attribute on page 82

Task 3: Recover the clone save sets that do not exist in the media database on
page 82

Task 4: Determine SSID of the required save sets on page 83

Task 5: Scan the required save sets into the media database and the client file index
on page 84

Task 6: Validate that the save sets are in the client file index on page 85

Task 7: Generate a media database listing of all of the save sets on page 85

Task 8: Restore the data on page 85

Task 1: Identify the clone volumes that are required for scanning
The scanning procedure is used to rebuild index and media database entries:

When restoring from a full backup, the volumes from the date of the full backup are
required to recover the data from.

When restoring from an incremental backup, the volumes from the day of the
incremental backup to the most recent full backup are required to recover the data
from.

Selecting clone volumes to recover data from on page 74 provides information on how
to ensure that the recovery comes from the clone copy and not the original in situations
where both or all of the copies that are available.
Note: If other volumes are required to be scanned, review Selecting clone volumes to
recover data from on page 74 to identify what save sets are missing so that the
additional volumes can be retrieved.

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Task 2: Disable the Idle Device Timeout attribute

To prevent devices from being unloaded from the drives while scanner is in use, you must
temporarily disable the Idle Device Timeout attribute, if it was configured.
To disable temporarily the Idle Device Timeout attribute:
1. Connect to the NetWorker server through NMC.
2. Click Devices.
3. Right-click the device that is to be used.
4. Select Properties.
5. Click the Advanced tab.
6. Set the Idle Device Timeout value to 0.
7. Click OK.

Task 3: Recover the clone save sets that do not exist in the media database
If the NetWorker clone save sets that are required for a restore operation are no longer in
the media database, you must scan the clone volumes to regenerate the media and index
database for these save sets. You can use the scanner command to scan the volumes.
To scan the required volume:
1. Mount the volume containing the clone save sets into the drive.
Note: If the volume itself is no longer in the NetWorker media database, choose the
option load without mount while loading the tape.
2. From a command prompt on the NetWorker server, obtain a listing of the save sets on
the clone volume to generate a report of the save sets on the volume. Use the
following command:
scanner -v device 1>scanner_output.txt 2>&1

where device is the name of the device containing the volume.

For example:
scanner -v C:\device\clone 1>C:\output1\5\scanner_output.txt 2>&1

or
scanner -v \\.\Tape0 1>scanner_output.txt 2>&1

3. Ensure that the NetWorker User program is closed on the NMM clients before running
the scanner command. If the program is open while scanner is run, the scanner
command may fail with the following errors:
For NetWorker 7.6.1 and earlier:
"Index error, flush Failed"

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For NetWorker 7.6.2 and later:

"8829:scanner: (ssid 2772567781) index error, store failed"
"39077:scanner: error, Cannot unlink the existing key file
C:\Program"
"Files\Legato\nsr\index\bv-e2007sp3-ccr\db6\4d420000\4d4206e1.k0
before re-creating it. Error 'Permission denied"

4. Open the scanner_output.txt file, which resides in the same directory the scanner
command was run from.
5. If the scanner_output.txt file displays only the following message:
scanner: SYSTEM error: Cannot stat <device_name>: No such file or
directory

a. Check the device name specified in the scanner command for errors.
b. Retry the scanner command with the correct device name.

Task 4: Determine SSID of the required save sets

To determine the SSID of the required save sets:
1. Inspect the scanner_output.txt file to determine the SSIDs of the required save sets.
These can be identified by using the following attribute values for each save set in the
output file:
Client name
Save time
Level
Save set name
2. To perform the restore, including all dependent full and incremental save sets,
determine the following information for all of the save sets:
SSID
Savetime
Save set name
Note: The SSID values will be used later in the procedure to scan the save sets back
into the media database and the savetime will be used to validate that the
repopulation of the client file index was successful.
IMPORTANT
If the date of the point-in-time restore was an incremental or differential backup level as
denoted by the value in the level column, all save sets from the point-in-time restore to the
last full level restore must be identified. In some cases, the associated full backup might
be on a different volume.

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Task 5: Scan the required save sets into the media database and the client file index
Depending on your IT procedures and urgency of the restore request, you might choose to
scan individual save sets from the clone volumes. Scanning should be run to regenerate
both the media database and client file index entries.
Consider:

It is not possible to specify the scanning order when save sets are supplied through
the -S parameter to scanner.

The end-to-end process of recovering from scanned clones might take several days, so
resetting the browse and retention times to a sufficient point-in-time in the future will
help to ensure that the scanned save sets do not prematurely expire before you are
finished restoring the data.

To scan the required save sets into the media database and the client file index:
1. Use the following command to scan the save sets:
scanner -i -S SSID device 1>scanneri.txt 2>&1

where:
SSID is the SSID recorded for save set.
device is the device with media that contains the save set.
2. Ensure that the NetWorker User program is closed on the NMM clients before running
the scanner command. If the program is open while scanner is run, the scanner
command may fail with the following errors:
For NetWorker 7.6.1 and earlier:
"Index error, flush Failed"

For NetWorker 7.6.2 and later:

"8829:scanner: (ssid 2772567781) index error, store failed"
"39077:scanner: error, Cannot unlink the existing key file
C:\Program"
"Files\Legato\nsr\index\bv-e2007sp3-ccr\db6\4d420000\4d4206e1.k0
before re-creating it. Error 'Permission denied"

IMPORTANT
It is critical that the cover save sets be scanned first.
3. Review the output of the scanneri.txt file for errors.

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Task 6: Validate that the save sets are in the client file index
For each save set that was scanned, you can use the nsrinfo command to validate that the
data has been repopulated in the client file index.
To validate that the save sets are in the client file index:
1. During the inspection of the scanner output, review the savetime recorded for the save
sets:
2. Run the nsrinfo command against each savetime to confirm that the client file index
was populated with the necessary save set details:
nsrinfo -t exact_savetime client

where:
exact_savetime is the savetime recorded from the scanner output.
client is the name of the NetWorker client.
For example:
nsrinfo -t 1292314893 krkr8x64
scanning client `krkr8x64' for savetime 1292314893(14.12.2010
09:21:33) from the backup namespace
C:\LG_PLACEHOLDER_1492021383
1 objects found

3. For all recorded savetimes, run the nsrinfo command against each savetime to confirm
that the client file index was populated with the necessary save set details:
nsrinfo -t exact_savetime client

where:
exact_savetime is the savetime recorded from the scanner output.
client is the name of the NetWorker client.

Task 7: Generate a media database listing of all of the save sets

Generating a media database listing of all of the save sets on page 71 provides detailed
information.

Task 8: Restore the data

Restore the data. The EMC NetWorker Administration Guide provides detailed information.

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CHAPTER 6
Staging
This chapter includes the following sections:

Staging overview.....................................................................................................
The destination.......................................................................................................
Working with staging policies..................................................................................
Staging from the NetWorker Management Console ..................................................
Staging from the command line...............................................................................

Staging

88
89
89
92
93

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Staging overview
NetWorker staging is a separate process but relies on the cloning mechanism.
Save set staging is the process of transferring data from one storage medium to another
medium, and then removing the data from its original location. For example, the initial
backup data can be directed to a high performance file type or advanced file type device.
In this way, the backup time is reduced by taking advantage of a file or advanced file type
device. At a later time, outside of the regular backup period, the data can be moved to a
less expensive but more permanent storage medium, such as magnetic tape. After the
backup data is moved, the initial backup data can be deleted from the file or advanced file
type device so that sufficient disk space is available for the next backup.

Staging example
In Figure 9 on page 88, the staging action will result in the deletion of the original save
sets on the Volume A1, once they had been successfully staged (cloned) to volume B1.
The Xs indicate that once a successful clone copy has completed, the original save sets
are deleted. This is the difference between a clone and a stage operation. The save sets
appear to move from one storage to another. The resulting save set is identical to that of
the first, but in a different location.

Figure 9 Staging

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The destination
A save set can be staged from one disk to another as many times as required. For
example, a save set could staged from disk 1, to disk 2, to disk 3, and finally to a remote
tape device or cloud device. Once the save set is staged to a tape or cloud device, it
cannot be staged again. However, you could still clone the tape or cloud volume.
Staging can be driven by any of the following:

Calendar-based process, such as keeping the save set for 30 days on the staging
device before moving the data to the next device.

Event-based process, such as when available space in the staging pool drops below a
set threshold. When this happens, the oldest save sets are moved until available
space reaches a preset upper threshold.

Administrator-based process, such as allowing the administrator to either reset the

threshold or manually select save sets to stage.

Staging does not affect the retention policy of backup data. Therefore, staged data is still
available for recovery.
When the stage process encounters an error after successfully cloning specified save sets,
it deletes only those successful save sets from the source volume before the program is
aborted. This ensures that after staging only a single set of save sets exists in either the
source volumes or clone volumes.

Working with staging policies

This section describes how to work with staging policies:

Creating a staging policy on page 89

Editing a staging policy on page 91

Copying a staging resource on page 92

Deleting a staging policy on page 92

Finding the clone ID of a save set on page 93

The EMC NetWorker Administration Guide provides information on file type device (FTD)
and advanced file type device (AFTD) configuration.

Creating a staging policy

Before creating a staging policy configure all appropriate devices. Otherwise, no devices
will be listed in the Devices attribute.
To prevent an AFTD from becoming full during backup, the staging policy must be set up so
that save sets are automatically moved to another medium to make disk space available
in the AFTD.

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To create a staging policy:

1. In the Administration window, click Configuration.
2. In the left pane, select Staging.
3. From the File menu, select New.
4. In the Name attribute, type a name for the staging policy.
5. In the Comment attribute, type a description of the staging policy.
6.

To enable staging to begin immediately or to be invoked automatically at a later time,

set the Enabled attribute to Yes.
Note: You can enable or disable staging at any time.

7. In the Devices attribute, select the file type and adv_file type devices as the source
device for staging.
Note: The adv_file device and its corresponding _AF_readonly device will both be
selected automatically, even if only one device was selected as the source of staging.
You can assign multiple devices to the staging policy, but a given device cannot be
controlled by more than one staging policy.
8. For the Destination Pool attribute, select the destination pool for the staged data.
Note: The Default volume can only be staged to the Default or Default Clone pool.
Similarly, the Default Clone volume can only be staged to the Default or Default Clone
pool and Archive data can only be staged to the Archive Clone pool. The other volume
types can be staged to any pool. If the Clone pool that you have selected is restricted
to storage node devices, you will also need to modify Clone Storage Node attribute.
9. In the High-Water Mark (%) attribute, type or select a number.
This value is the point at which save sets should be staged, measured as the
percentage of available space used on the filesystem partition that the file device is
on. Staging continues until the low-water mark is reached (see step 10 ).
Note: The high-water mark must be greater than the low-water mark.
10. In the Low-Water Mark (%) attribute, type or select a number. This is the point at which
the staging process will stop, measured as the percentage of available space on the
filesystem partition that the file device is on.
11. From the Save Set Selection attribute, select from the list to determine the save set
selection criteria for staging.
12. In the Max Storage Period attribute, type the number of hours or days for a save set to
be in a volume before it is staged to a different storage medium.

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Staging

Note: The Max Storage Period attribute is used in conjunction with the filesystem
Check Interval attribute. Once the Max Storage Period value is reached, staging does
not begin until the next filesystem check.
13. In the Max Storage Period Unit attribute, select Hours or Days.
14. In the Recover Space Interval attribute, type the number of minutes or hours between
recover space operations for save sets with no entries in the media database from file
or advanced file type devices.
15. In the Recover Space Interval Unit attribute, select Minutes or Hours.
16. In the File System Check Interval attribute, type the number of minutes or hours
between filesystem checks.
Note: At every File System Check interval, if either the High-Water Mark or Max Storage
Period has been reached, a staging operation is initiated.
17. In the File System Check Interval Unit attribute, select Minutes or Hours.
18. To invoke the staging policy immediately, complete this step. Otherwise, skip this
step:
a. Click the Operations tab.
b. In the Start Now attribute, select one of these operations:
Recover space Recovers space for save sets that have no entries in the media
database and deletes all recycled save sets.
Check file system Checks filesystem and stage data, if necessary.
Stage all save sets Stages all save sets to the destination pool.
The selected operation applies to all devices associated with this policy.
Note: The choice you make takes effect immediately after clicking OK. After the staging
operation is complete, this attribute returns to the default setting (blank).
19. When all the staging attributes are configured, click OK.

Editing a staging policy

To edit a staging policy:
1. In the Administration window, click Configuration.
2. In the left pane, select Staging.
3. In the right pane, select the Staging policy to edit.
Note: You cannot edit the name of an existing staging policy.
4. From the File menu, select Properties.
5. Make any necessary changes and click OK.

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Copying a staging resource

To copy a staging resource:
1. In the Administration window, click Configuration.
2. In the left pane, select Staging.
3. In the right pane, select the Staging resource to copy.
4. From the Edit menu, select Copy. The Create Staging dialog box appears, containing
the same information as the staging resource that was copied, except for the Name
attribute.
5. Type the name for the new Staging resource in the Name attribute, edit any other
attributes as appropriate.
6. Click OK.

Deleting a staging policy

Note: The Default staging policy cannot be deleted.
To delete a staging policy:
1. In the Administration window, click Configuration.
2. In the left pane, select Staging.
3. Remove all devices from the Staging policy:
a. In the right pane, select the Staging policy to be deleted.
b. From the File menu, select Properties.
c. In the Devices attribute, ensure that all listed devices are unselected.
d. Click OK.
4. In the right pane, select the Staging policy to be deleted.
5. From the File menu, select Delete.
6. When prompted, click Yes to confirm the deletion.

Staging from the NetWorker Management Console

Staging a save set from the command prompt works differently than staging a save set
from the NetWorker Management Console (NetWorker Console).
When a save set is cloned, the cloned save sets are given the same save set ID as the
original save set with a new clone ID.
When staging from the NetWorker Console, select save sets that belong to a single device.

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Staging from the command line

When staging from the command prompt, specify the save set IDs to be staged.
The NetWorker software stages all the save sets with the specified save set ID and then
removes those save sets. That means any cloned versions of the save set are removed
when the original is removed.
To ensure that all clones are not removed, specify a clone ID with the save set ID to
indicate the source volume of the staging. For example:
nsrstage -m -S ssid/cloneid

Finding the clone ID of a save set

To find the clone ID of a save set, use the mminfo command. For example:
mminfo -avot -r "volume,ssid,cloneid,name"

The EMC NetWorker Command Reference Guide or the UNIX man pages provide
information about nsrstage or mminfo commands.

Staging from the command line

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CHAPTER 7
NetWorker Module for Databases and
Applications
This chapter includes the following sections:

NMDA save set bundling ......................................................................................... 96

NMDA policy uniformity........................................................................................... 99



NMDA does not support save set bundling for regular manual backups or EMC PowerSnap
snapshot backups. NMDA performs save set bundling for regular scheduled Oracle
backups only.

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NMDA save set bundling

If the NetWorker Module for Databases and Applications (NMDA) save set bundling is
configured, NMDA automatically creates a save set bundle to group all dependent save
sets from the same backup cycle. Save sets are dependent when two or more save sets
are required to restore a database object.
A backup cycle includes the following:

A level 0 incremental backup of the database object.

All subsequent level 1 incremental backups that are dependent on the level 0 backup.

The EMC NetWorker Module for Databases and Applications Administration Guide
provides details on NMDA support of full and incremental Oracle backups.
IMPORTANT
NMDA does not support save set bundling for regular manual backups or EMC PowerSnap
snapshot backups. NMDA performs save set bundling for regular scheduled Oracle
backups only.
Save set bundling automatically enables the following for Oracle:

Improved staging
Oracle-aware staging causes NMDA Oracle save sets that have a dependency on each
other to be staged together:
During automatic staging, if the staging criteria determine that a particular NMDA
save set should be staged and the save set is part of a save set bundle, the
NetWorker server stages the entire save set bundle.
During manual staging with the nsrstage command, if one or more save sets being
staged are from a save set bundle, all the save sets in the bundle are staged.

Policy uniformity
Policy uniformity is enabled automatically whenever you enable save set bundling. If
you do not want to use save set bundling, you can still enable policy uniformity
separately. NMDA policy uniformity on page 99 provides more details.

Note: After a staging operation during which all the save sets in a bundle are staged, the
resulting available space on the staging device might exceed the lower-water mark
specified in the staging policy.
The EMC NetWorker Administration Guide provides details on how to work with staging
policies and perform automatic and manual staging operations through the NetWorker
server.
The EMC NetWorker Module for Databases and Applications Administration Guide
provides information on how to configure save set bundling for NMDA scheduled backups.
If an error occurs during save set bundling, the bundling operation fails but the scheduled
backup can finish successfully. Information about the bundling failure is printed to the
savegrp output and to the NMDA debug file.

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NetWorker staging restrictions

When planning the strategy for NMDA save set bundling, consider the following NetWorker
staging restrictions:

The NetWorker server cannot simultaneously stage all the save sets from a save set
bundle if some of the save sets were backed up to separate volumes. The server
simultaneously stages save sets only if they are located on the same staging volume.
Example 3 on page 98 provides more information.
To ensure the proper staging of all the save sets from a save set bundle, do not split
the backup between different staging volumes. If required, split the backup into
different backup cycles, with each cycle going to a separate volume.

NetWorker staging policies must not cause the save sets of an NMDA backup cycle to
be staged before the cycle is complete. For example, if a 1-week NMDA cycle starts on
Sunday, the staging policy must not cause the partially complete save set bundle to
be staged before the final backup of the cycle occurs on Saturday.
To prevent a staging operation from splitting an NMDA backup cycle, adjust the
NetWorker staging policy accordingly. For example, adjust the policy so that older save
sets are staged before new ones, or adjust the high-water and low-water marks.

The EMC NetWorker Administration Guide provides details on how to work with staging
policies and perform automatic and manual staging operations through the NetWorker
server.

Save set bundling with NMDA

The NMDA program nsrdasv automatically places save sets into a save set bundle at the
end of a scheduled backup.
To perform save set bundling:

Operate NetWorker privileges are required.

The nsrdasv program connects to the Oracle database by attempting to use the login
and password from the RMAN script.

If a login and password are not available from the script, the program uses the
ORACLE_SID value from the NMDA configuration file to search the nwora.res file for
the NSR_ORACLE_CONNECT_FILE parameter, and uses the connection strings from the
specified connection file.

After connecting to the Oracle database, the nsrdasv program obtains all the required
information about the backups by using the V$ views. The EMC NetWorker Module for
Databases and Applications Administration Guide provides more details on the
nwora.res file and the requirements of save set bundling.

The nsrdasv program creates a save set bundle for each incremental level 0 backup.

The program adds the save sets from subsequent incremental backups to the bundles
of the level 0 backups they are dependent on. Example 1 on page 98 and Example 2
on page 98 illustrate different scenarios for how the save set bundle is formed.

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The name that the nsrdasv program assigns to a save set bundle is the save time of
the oldest save set in the bundle.

After a scheduled backup, the NetWorker server stores the save set bundle name and
the list of save sets it contains in the media database.

You can view the bundle information by using the mminfo command, as described in
Save set bundling information in the media database on page 98.
Example 1 Save set bundling for a 1-week scheduled backup cycle of a tablespace

A 1-week scheduled backup cycle of a tablespace includes a level 0 backup of the

tablespace on Sunday and a level 1 backup every other day of the week. The save set
bundle for the cycle is created during the Sunday backup. Save sets from each level 1
backup are added into the same bundle. The complete bundle contains the save sets from
the seven daily backups of the tablespace. A new bundle is created for the next backup
cycle during the following week.
Example 2 Save set bundle join

This example illustrates a scenario where NMDA combines existing bundles into a new
save set bundle.
Two save set bundles are created by separate level 0 backups of files A and B. Then a new
backup set is created by a level 1 backup of both files A and B. As the new backup set is
dependent on both of the preceding level 0 backups, NMDA combines all three backups
into the same save set bundle.
Example 3 Splitting a save set bundle across volumes

In this example, a save set bundle is split across multiple volumes. A level 0 backup of file
A is performed to volume A. An incremental backup of file A is then performed to volume
B. Although both backups are recorded as belonging to the same save set bundle, the
save set bundle is split across volumes. During staging, only the save sets on the same
volume can be staged together.

Save set bundling information in the media database

The NMDA software stores information about each save set bundle in the NetWorker
media database. Query the media database by using the NetWorker command, mminfo,
with the appropriate options:

The mminfo -r command can display the name of the bundle associated with a save
set. For example, the following command displays a list of all save sets and their
bundles:
mminfo -a -r "ssid,ssbundle"

The mminfo -q command can display all the save sets in a specific bundle. For
example, the following command displays all the save sets in the bundle named
12983479182:
mminfo -a -q "ssbundle=12983479182"

The EMC NetWorker Command Reference Guide and the UNIX man pages provide more
information on the mminfo command and its available options.
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NMDA policy uniformity

If policy uniformity is enabled, NMDA automatically enforces the uniformity of the browse
and retention policies between all the dependent save sets in a scheduled Oracle backup
cycle (whether or not save set bundling is enabled).
After NMDA performs an incremental Oracle scheduled backup, if the browse and
retention policies of the save sets in the backup are longer than the policies of preceding
dependent save sets in the same backup cycle, NMDA changes the policies of all save sets
in the cycle to match the longest policy of the new incremental save sets. NMDA modifies
the policies recorded in the NetWorker media database. As a result, backups cannot
expire and become recyclable before other dependent backups from the same backup
cycle.
Note: NMDA does not support policy uniformity for regular manual backups and
PowerSnap snapshot backups. NMDA supports policy uniformity for regular scheduled
backups only.
Policy uniformity does not depend on whether save sets are stored on separate volumes.
For example, if parts of a save set bundle are split onto separate volumes, all the save sets
in the bundle still receive the same browse and retention policies.
The EMC NetWorker Module for Databases and Applications Administration Guide
provides information on how to configure policy uniformity for NMDA backups.

NMDA policy uniformity

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