In the previous article series dedicated to Quantum DXi virtual appliances we have explored all the steps from initial deployment up to a working configuration on top of a VMware vSphere environment. In particular, we have also seen how to create NAS Shares both CIFS and NFS with the great advantage if leveraging the built-in hardware deduplication. The next step is about to use these shares as target for our data backups. This article covers in fact the Quantum DXi integration with Veeam Backup & Replication.
The Quantum DXi integration consists in configuring the NAS Shares CIFS and NFS as targets for Veeam Backup and Backup Copy Jobs. The current firmware version of the Quantum DXi virtual appliances is based on 2.x. This version of the firmware does not include the Veeam VDMS component (Veeam Data Mover Service). The physical Quantum DXi appliances shipping with firmware version 3.x already include the Veeam component.
So what’s the difference? Can I still configure Quantum DXi integration with Veeam Backup?
Yes you can. In the case of higher Quantum models there is a direct integration with Veeam Backup and it is just a matter of creating a Veeam Backup Repository “pointing directly” to the Quantum appliance. Very straight forward.
In the case of Quantum DXi virtual appliances shipping with version 2.x of the firmware it is a case of creating either a CIFS or NFS Share on the Quantum appliance and then use a Windows Proxy or Linux Repository to connect Veeam to these shares respectively.
This article covers the steps on how to setup Quantum DXi integration with Veeam showing both scenarios based on CIFS and NFS based network shares. In both cases we can leverage the built-in hardware deduplication capabilities making this appliance a good choice not only for backup copy jobs and backups with longer retention and also the opportunity to leverage handy features like Veeam Instant VM Recovery and Application items restores.
Quantum DXi integration with Veeam
Let’s start creating a Veeam Backup Repository that points to CIFS Share on quantum DXi. From the Veeam console in the Backup Infrastructure > Backup Repository let’s create a new one. A wizard appears to enter the desired name for the new Repository.
Let’s choose the Shared Folder type. This will allow to point to CIFS (SMB) shares available in the network.
From the previous article let’s provide the full network path to the CIFS share along with a user that has Read/Write access. In addition, the option to specify which Gateway Server (this is a Veeam role installed with Veeam Proxy which passes data to the VDMS and vice versa during backup and restore jobs) will connect to the Quantum DXi CIFS share.
If the connection is successful the wizard will automatically read the available storage space and capacity. Very interestingly in this step the option to regulate how many concurrent tasks the Gateway server will run including the bandwidth. This number is automatically adjusted based on detected number of CPUs. 1x CPU is 1x Task.
From the Advanced button there is the option to configure how Veeam should send the data to the Quantum DXi device or more in general to a data dedupe appliance. The recommended settings as per screenshot below is to decompress backup data before sending and use per-VM backup file rather than per-Job. Useful when a single job targets multiple VMs in one go. In this way we can benefit from higher data reduction ratios thanks to the Quantum DXi appliance.
In the next step the option to choose a Veeam Mount Server which allows files restores directly form the backups. In addition, the option to enable the vPower NFS service, a Veeam patented technology which allows very handy features like the ability to instantly recover the VM, verify the VM in an isolated bubble and last but not least the option to spin up a separate environment for testing, patching and more.
At this point we can review the main settings for the wizard and amend the changes.
The Veeam Backup Repository wizard will instantly verify the required component and complete the Quantum DXi integration. A new repository named “CIFS Quantum DXi” already appears in the list.
With a similar procedure it is also possible to setup the Quantum DXi integration to point at an NFS share that Veeam Backup can use as Backup Repository. The next steps show the entire process on a Linux Ubuntu machine which connects to the Quantum DXi NFS share. Veeam will use this connection as a backup target to the Quantum DXi appliance.
From the wizard let’s select a Linux server.
If no Linux Repository has been configure, yet we need to add one.
Once the Linux Repository has been added let’s specify the user to connect to the mounted NFS share. In addition, from the same wizard the option to specify the configuration for the “sudoers” file.
At this point a user has been selected and we are ready to progress with the wizard. Furthermore, in the advanced button the ability to change and customize the SSH settings.
If the connection from the Veeam console to the Linux machine is successful it will display a message about the SSH certificate. since this is a self generated certificate hence the message. After accepting the key fingerprint it is stored by Veeam Backup for future connections to the same machine.
This concludes the first part of the wizard to specify which Linux machine will be used by Veeam Backup Server to connect to the Quantum DXi NFS share.
At this point we are ready to proceed with the wizard.
Let’s browse to the intended NFS Share created with the same steps as per previous article. As per screenshot the NFS share named “nfs_Backups”.
The wizard will offer the option to control the number of concurrent tasks and bandwidth as shown in the case of CIFS shares.
Also in this case full flexibility choosing a Mount Server (has to be based on Windows OS) and the vPower NFS service for additional features.
Time to review and amend the changes to make them effective.
The wizard has now all the information required to proceed and create the new Backup Repository based on a Quantum DXi NFS Share.
From the Backup Repository list we can now see two new additional ones pointing at the Quantum DXi CIFS and NFS shares.
These new Backup Repositories can now be used for Backups, Backup Copy Jobs, Instant VM Recovery, SureBackup and more.
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