HP 1/8 G2 Ultrium 920 SAS Autoloader (AH558A) and HP EVA 4400

[bundalov]

Hello everyone.

We have HP EVA 4400 in our data center (HP Storage Works 300 and Disk Enclosure with 8x 650GB FC 15k disks) and Promise Storage with 16 SATA disks.

Also, we have HP c7000 enclosure with BL460c blades.

The question I want to ask is: is HP 1/8 G2 Ultrium 920 SAS Autoloader (AH558A) compatible with EVA 4400???

If not, what Tape Backup hardware and software we need?

Best regards,

Vladimir

[Johan Guldmyr]

Hey, 

the EBS matrix might be able to tell you what the 1/8 G2 is supported with.

The EVA4400 by default only have fibre channel ports.

What is it you want to accomplish? Backup LUN/vdisk to tape? Maybe you could have a backup agent on the server that is using the LUN/vdisk and then backup that on the backup server/cache and from there push it to tape?

[bundalov]

Hi Johan and thanks for the reply :)

I want to backup some VMware Virtual Machines which are stored on Datastores/LUNs.

I have VMware Data Recovery and it is doing a great backup, but I need something offsite.

So I want to backup some VMs to backup tape so I can take backup tape to offsite location.

Yes, EVA4400 has only FC ports. Does this means that I can't use this backup device with EVA4400???

Reading your reply further I can do this:

Install lets say server 2008, install backup agent on that server, backup VM files to that server and from that server push to tape right???

What do you mean by: backup to backup server/cache???

I am a little bit confused with EBS MAtrix guide because I couldn't find any useful info (sorry for being such a noob)

If you can help me, that would be awesome.

Best regards,

Vladimir

[Johan Guldmyr]

I'm just giving you some ideas, I haven't set something like this up myself.

"Install lets say server 2008, install backup agent on that server, backup VM files to that server and from that server push to tape right???

What do you mean by: backup to backup server/cache???"

You just wrote what I meant with backup to backup server. The backup server would be the cache where the data is stored before it's pushed to tape.

Can you with help of VMWare Data Recovery push backuppable files to another server?

I presume that on the 2008 you'd need a backup server software that can handle the autoloader.

[bundalov]

Hello again.

Basically I am trying to find a way how to connect Tape device to c7000 enclosure or EVA 4400.

Under Quick Specs I have found this info:

HP Smart Array P711m/1G 6Gb FBWC 4-ports Ext PCIe SAS Controller

NOTE: For direct connection of the 1/8 G2 Autoloader to HP ProLiant BladeServers,

the P711 controller is used to connect the BladeServer to the SAS switch. The

autoloader is connected to the same SAS switch. The supported SAS switches are the

HP 6Gb SAS BL Switch - Single Pack (BK763A) and the HP 6Gb SAS BL Switch - Dual

Pack (BK764A).

513778-B21

HP Smart Array P712m/256 6Gb 2-ports Int/2-ports Ext PCIe SAS Controller

NOTE: For direct connection of the 1/8 G2 Autoloader to HP ProLiant BladeServers,

the P712 controller is used to connect the BladeServer to the SAS switch. The

autoloader is connected to the same SAS switch. The supported SAS switches are the

HP 6Gb SAS BL Switch - Single Pack (BK763A) and the HP 6Gb SAS BL Switch - Dual

Pack (BK764A).

488348-B21

HP Smart Array P700m/256 4-ports Ext PCIe x8 SAS Controller

NOTE: For direct connection of the 1/8 G2 Autoloader to HP ProLiant BladeServers,

the P700 controller is used to connect the BladeServer to the SAS switch. The

autoloader is connected to the same SAS switch. The supported SAS switches are the

HP 3Gb SAS BL Switch - Single Pack (AJ864A) and the HP 3Gb SAS BL Switch - Dual

Pack (AJ865A).

HP Smart Array P700m/512 4-ports Ext PCIe x8 SAS Controller

NOTE: For direct connection of the 1/8 G2 Autoloader to HP ProLiant BladeServers,

the P700 controller is used to connect the BladeServer to the SAS switch. The

autoloader is connected to the same SAS switch. The supported SAS switches are the

HP 3Gb SAS BL Switch - Single Pack (AJ864A) and the HP 3Gb SAS BL Switch - Dual

Pack (AJ865A).

on c7000 I have Flex-10 and Brocade SAN switch. I can see that I might need a SAS switch. Is this true statement???

SAS models:

(1) 2.5M PDU Power Cord, C13/C14, 10A

(1) 2M External Infiniband (SFF8470) to Mini SAS (SFF8088) 1x SAS

Cable

(1) RJ-45 Ethernet cable

Set of six rubber feet (for tabletop use)

HP Data Protector Express Basic backup and recovery software for

Windows/Linux/NetWare.

Getting Started Poster

I can see here that HP Data Protector Express Basic backup is available and comes with the device.

So the question is: What do I need to do to connect this device with c7000 enlosure???

And when I connect, is this device compatible to backup VMs because we have vSphere environment...

Best regards,

Vladimir

[Torsten.]

You cannot connect the tape library to the EVA of course.

If you want to connect the library to a blade, you need either a SAS switch or the FC connected library. Second option would be to connect the library to a standalone server.

[bundalov]

Hi Torsten and thanks for the reply.

So, I connect Tape Device to a blade via SAS switch. I create one VM and install Windows Server 2008 on it. Install HP Data Protector inside guest operating system.

Is that correct??? Do I need anything else???

On the other hand, since I have FC Storage, that second option sounds interesting. When you say a standalone server, could that server be a VM???

Best regards,

Vladimir

[Torsten.]

The problem is the connectivity.

Since a blade enclosure usually have SAN switches, it is quite easy to connect a FC based device.

For a SAS device you need SAS switches in the enclosure and smartarray controllers in the blades. IMHO not optimal for a single tape autoloader ...

But a standalone server with a sas controller can be easily connected to a SAS autoloader.

[Johan Guldmyr]

Is it even supported/possible to mix Flex-10 module, Brocade SAN switch and a SAS switch in the same C7000?

[bundalov]

Could you please tell me what solution would be the best for me?

I have c7000 enclosure with Flex-10 ethernet switch and Brocade 8Gb SAN switch.

I have also EVA 4400 with 8x 650 GB FC 15k disks. Storage controller is StorageWorks 300.

So, what do you think? What would be the best option for me?

I just need to backup some VMs to tape and to be able to start them in offsite location in case primary location goes down for elemental reason.

Best regards,

Vladimir