How to manually change the path where NetBackup log files are located.

Description

How to manually change the path where NetBackup log files are located.

Note:

UNC path use for redirection may yield unexpected results and impede NetBackup process functionality .

If the log locations are changed from the default locations and the new log locations become inaccessible later, unexpected behavior can occur in NetBackup.

I.E. Observed issues have included the inability to perform alternate client and alternate path restores. Vaulting and other areas of the product may also be affected. 

There are two different options available:

Option 1:

Take the following steps to change the disk location where the legacy NetBackup log files are located on a Windows master, media or client server :

1. Stop NetBackup Services.
2. Move the <installpath>\netbackup\logs\ directory to where the new location for the logs will be, retaining all the existing permissions.
3. Use this command to link it:

mklink /D <OLD_LOGS_PATH> <NEW_LOGS_PATH>

4. If NetBackup services are running under Local Service account context, then execute this command to grant full access to NetBackup services to the new logs directory:

      <install_path>\NetBackup\bin\goodies\nbserviceusercmd.exe -addAcl <NEW_LOGS_PATH> -reason "new log directory ACLs update"

   Note: To check if NetBackup services are running under Local Service account context, refer ‘SERVICE_USER’ key in NetBackup configuration.

5. Restart NetBackup

LIMITATIONS:

Several product areas require the user_ops directory to be present in the default NetBackup log directory location.  The known impacted areas are:

• One or more VxBSA based agents, such as Oracle and DB2, but not Sybase
• dbbackup CLI for SQL Server
• Java GUI
• Java GUI install following NetBackup install
• Touch file ".nbftsrvr_needs_reboot"
• NetBackp post-installation
• Web GUI

Windows Symbolic links can be used to link the default user_ops installation path to a different path. Information is available on Microsoft's website about Symbolic links and how to create them:  msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa365680(v=vs.85).asp

Option 2:

If you need to use Java GUI after the log locations are changed, take the following steps.

1. Stop NetBackup Services.
2. Move the <installpath>\netbackup\logs\ directory to where the new location for the logs will be, retaining all the existing permissions.
3. Use this command to link it:

mklink /J <OLD_LOGS_PATH> <NEW_LOGS_PATH>

Example:
mklink  /J  "C:\Program Files\Veritas\NetBackup\logs" D:\BasicDisk\NBU\logs

4. If NetBackup services are running under Local Service account context, then execute this command to grant full access to NetBackup services to the new logs directory:

      <install_path>\NetBackup\bin\goodies\nbserviceusercmd.exe -addAcl <NEW_LOGS_PATH> -reason "new log directory ACLs update"

   Note: To check if NetBackup services are running under Local Service account context, refer ‘SERVICE_USER’ key in NetBackup configuration.

5. Restart NetBackup

Information on Junctions is available on Microsoft's website.

Hard Links and Junctions