Auto Image Replication (AIR): How To restore to original client from an image copy in a target master server

Problem

Auto Image Replication (AIR) is often used to keep copies for a longer retention period in a master server domain that is different from the master server that originally created the backup image.  If a client has a backup image that has expired in it's local master server's catalog, you may be able to restore it from a remote copy that was replicated using AIR.  From the original master server, you can find remote images which are still available for recovery (haven't expired yet) using the nbstlutil command line in the source domain:

# nbstlutil repllist

This command will list all of the images that have been replicated to target master servers.  You can use additional command line options to filter the results.

Solution

To restore a backup to the original client there are two ways to proceed:

• A backup administrator may restore directly from the target master server
• A user may initiate a restore from the client

In either case, the master server from which the restore is to occur, as well as the media server hosting the image copy, must have connectivity to the client which is the target of the restore.  In addition, the hosts will need to be made aware of each other.

To initiate a restore from the client:

1. Ensure name resolution for the client works from the master/media
2. From the Admin GUI on the target master server, add the client to the client list by adding the client to a policy.
3. On the client run nbcertcmd -getCAcertificate -server <target_master_server_name>
4. On the client run nbcertcmd -getCertificate -server <target_master_server_name>
5. From the client, open the Backup and Recovery GUI on the client and go to the Restore Files tab.
6. Open the Specify NetBackup Machines and Policy Type dialog in the file menu or using the toolbar.
7. Select the Edit Server List option and add the target master server to the list.  Any media servers which may be used for restore should also be added.
8. In this same dialog, select the target master in the Server to use for backups and restores list.
9. Enter the client name exactly as it appears in the original policy for both the Source client for restores and Destination client for restores option.
10. Finally, select the correct Policy type for restore for the client.
11. At this point, it is now possible to browse for an image to restore in the Backup and Recovery GUI as if this were the original master server.

To initiate a restore from the master server:

1. Add the master server to the list of servers on the client.  From the client, open the Backup and Recovery GUI on the client and go to the Restore Files tab.
2. Open the Specify NetBackup Machines and Policy Type dialog in the file menu or using the toolbar.
3. Select the Edit Server List option and add the target master server to the list.  Any media servers which may be used for restore should also be added.
4. The normal recovery procedure may now be used from the master server.

Considerations when using NetBackup Access Control (NBAC):
If the target master server is not configured to use NBAC, disable NBAC on the original client by accessing the bp.conf file (or registry on windows) and make certain that the USE_VXSS entry is either set to Prohibited or deleted entirely.  Please see the Related Article linked below.

If the target Master Server is configured to use NBAC in REQUIRED mode, and the original client is NOT configured to use NBAC, you can enable NBAC on the client from the command line on the master server, once you have added the master server to the client's server list, by running the following command:

# bpnbaz -setupclient <clientname>

If both the target Master Server and the original client are configured to use NBAC (REQUIRED or AUTOMATIC mode), trust must be established between the hosts that will be involved in the restore.  After the necessary server entries have been added, run the following command on the client:

# bpnbat -GetBrokerCert <master server name> 0

Note: Services must be restarted on the client after changing NBAC settings.

Applies To

The following figure shows an example Storage Lifecycle Policy in the original master server domain:

In this example, any backup image that is older than 2 weeks, but less than 1 year old, may need to be recovered from the target master server.