Archive for August, 2007

You’ve probably heard already that ESX 3.0.2 and VirtualCenter 2.0.2 have been released, as a consequence VCB has also been given a refresh. From the release notes here are the highlights:

Support for iSCSI Storage
VMware Consolidated Backup now supports iSCSI storage in addition to Fibre Channel storage. Virtual machines residing on any iSCSI arrays listed in the Storage/SAN Compatibility Guide for ESX Server 3.x may now be backed up through the VMware Consolidated Backup framework.

Enhancements in Snapshot Functionality
This release includes a feature in the integration modules for VCB to remove old snapshots remaining from previous backup jobs if the previous backup job failed to remove the old snapshots.

New Method to Identify Virtual Machines
Before backing up a virtual machine using vcbMounter in the service console, you need to specify the virtual machine you want to back up. Prior to this release, virtual machines were identified using their DNS name or IP address only. This release supports identifying virtual machines by their display name when performing queries. Use this option if you have multiple virtual machines with the same IP address, but with different names.

Better Flexibility in Fibre Channel Configuration
Previously, VCB would not function correctly if LUNs were presented with different LUN IDs to the ESX Server(s) and the proxy. This resolved issue allows VCB to work with arrays that do not guarantee consistent LUN numbering. This only applies to virtual disks backed by VMFS disks, not by RDMs.

New Backup Software Support
New support for the following backup software versions:
Legato Networker version 7.3.2 Jumbo Update 1
Veritas NetBackup version 6.0
Symantec Backup Exec version 11d
Tivoli TSM Storage Agent version 5.3.3

VCB Proxy Operating System Support
New support for the following operating systems to be used as a VCB proxy server:
Windows 2003 SP2
Windows 2003 R2 SP2

VMware recently issued a maintance release of ESX 3. However, there are “new” features and support has been extended to features where previously support was limited. Highlights include:

Wyse Multimedia Support
can now be installed into compatible guest operating systems using the VMware Tools Installer. Installing Multimedia Support enables supported devices to receive encoded video streams via RDP/ICA. Only Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 guest operating systems are supported when using Wyse Multimedia Support and ESX Server 3.0.2. Please refer to the KB 1001699 for information on installing Wyse Multimedia Support in a supported guest operating system.  

Support for additional backup software from third-party vendors including:
CA BrightStor ArcServe 11.5 SP1
CommVault Galaxy version 6.1 SP4
IBM TSM Storage Agent version 5.3.3
Legato NetWorker 7.3.2 Jumbo Update 1
Symantec Backup Exec version 11d
Veritas NetBackup Exec version 6.0

Support for several new guest operating systems:
including Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5 (without paravirtualization), Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 4.5, Novell Netware 6.5 SP6 and Sun Solaris 10 Update 3. Please refer to the Guest Operating System Installation Guide for more information on guest operating system support.

VMware Consolidated Backup:
When used with ESX Server 3.0.2, VMware Consolidate Backup 1.0.3 supports iSCSI storage in addition to fiber channel storage. Virtual machines residing on any iSCSI arrays listed in the Storage/SAN Compatibility Guide for ESX Server 3.x may now be backed up through the VMware Consolidate Backup framework. For more information, please refer to the VMware Consolidate Backup 1.0.3 release no

Release Notes:
http://www.vmware.com/support/vi3/doc/releasenotes_esx302.html