NetBackup Appliance Upgrade Readiness Analyzer

Summary

The NetBackup Appliance Upgrade Readiness Analyzer is a tool that determines whether an appliance is ready for an upgrade.

When you run this tool on an appliance, it checks several parameters and identifies the issues that can prevent a successful upgrade. This tool also removes any unnecessary or old packages, old logs, and expands specific partitions to the necessary size as needed. If the analysis fails, you must address all reported issues and run the tool again for verification. When the analysis result shows The upgrade readiness analysis passed, the appliance is ready for an upgrade.

This latest update includes the following versions for upgrade readiness checks as follows:

• Version 5.3 (and Maintenance Releases)
• Version 5.1.1 Maintenance Releases
• Version 5.0.0.1 Maintenance Releases
• Version 4.1 (and Maintenance Releases)
• Version 4.0 (and Maintenance Releases)
• Version 3.3.0.1 (and Maintenance Releases)
• Version 3.2 (and Maintenance Releases)
• Version 3.1.2

This latest version supports upgrade readiness checks for upgrades from the following software versions:

• Version 5.1.1 (and Maintenance Releases)
• Version 5.0 (and Maintenance Releases)
• Version 4.1 (and Maintenance Releases)
• Version 4.0 (and Maintenance Releases)
• Version 3.3.0.1 (and Maintenance Releases)
• Version 3.2 (and Maintenance Releases)
• Version 3.1.2
• Version 3.0

See the Description for more details.

Description

This tool can do the upgrade readiness check for appliance plan to upgrade from 3.0 and later.

The latest Upgrade Readiness Analyzer is available here
(https://www.veritas.com/content/support/en_US/downloads/update.UPD773233)

Download and Install analyzer tool instructions:

•  Open an SSH session and log on to the appliance as an administrator using the NetBackup Appliance Shell Menu.
• To open an NFS or a CIFS share, enter the following command: Manage > Software > Share Open
•  Map or mount the appliance share directory as follows:
  •  Windows CIFS share: \\<appliance-name>\incoming_patches
  • UNIX NFS share: mkdir -p /mount/<appliance-name>  mount <appliance-name>:/inst/patch/incoming  /mount/<appliance-name>
• Download VRTS_NBAPP_update_ReadinessAnalyzer-<version-number>.noarch.rpm into the directory /inst/patch/incoming from NetBackup Appliance Upgrade Readiness Analyzer (veritas.com)
• To verify that analyzer tool package was downloaded successfully on the appliance,  use the following command: Manage > Software > List Downloaded
• To launch and run the analyzer tool, use the following command: Manage > Software > Install VRTS_NBAPP_update_ReadinessAnalyzer-<version-number>.noarch.rpm

Note: There are two packages that can be downloaded: SYMC_NBAPP_update_ReadinessAnalyzer-<version-number>.noarch.rpm and VRTS_NBAPP_update_ReadinessAnalyzer-<version-number>.noarch.rpm. Which rpm package should be downloaded depends on the version of the NetBackup Appliance OS on that the package will be executed. When the OS version is lower than 3.3.0.1, SYMC_NBAPP_update_ReadinessAnalyzer-<version-number>.noarch.rpm should be downloaded, otherwise VRTS_NBAPP_update_ReadinessAnalyzer-<version-number>.noarch.rpm should be downloaded.

Recommendations for using the analyzer tool

To minimize the impact in your environment from the analyzer tool changes described in this article, Veritas recommends that you should be prepared to upgrade the appliance immediately after you have run the analyzer tool.

If the changes described are likely to have a negative impact on continued operations, Veritas recommends that you do not use the analyzer tool at this time. Make appropriate plans to run the analyzer tool only when it is convenient for you to upgrade the appliance.

What's New

Version 8.3.0

What's new in version 8.3.0 with release date: 2023-11-27

• Checks for EEB4107650 installation on 5240/5340 models for upgrades starting from version 5.1.1.
• Checks for appliance license installation on 5250/5350 models for upgrades starting from version 5.1.1.
• Checks the estimated duration for NBDB migration when upgrading to version 5.3.
• Checks invalid, non UTF-8 characters in NBDB when upgrading to version 5.3.
• Checks DLV version for HA environment.
• Checks the AutoUpdate setting for URI.
• Checks format of smart meter registration key.
• Blocks NetBackup Virtual Appliance upgrades to version 5.3.

__________________________________________________________________________

Version 8.2.0

What's new in version 8.2.0 with release date: 2023-02-08

• Prompts you to add the required appliance license after a successful upgrade to 5.1.1.
• Checks the content of /etc/hosts to ensure that it has the correct loopback address.
• Checks the Veritas cluster service status.
• Checks if a catalog backup was created within 24 hours of the upgrade.
• Blocks upgrades to 5.1.1 and later on the NetBackup 5330 Appliance model.
• Checks if HA nodes contain the same mongod uid and git configurations.
• Checks whether the appliance server certificate and private key exist when upgrading to version 4.1, and when installing the 4.1.0.1 maintenance release.
• Prints detailed error messages if nbcheck fails.
• Checks HA customized service groups and resources.

__________________________________________________________________________

Version 8.1.0

What's new in version 8.1.0 with release date: 2022-05-20 

• Validates NetBackup license.
• Checks Mongo DB space size.
• Checks PDVOL storage volume corruption.
• Checks for EEB installations, including EEB4055775 which must be rolled back manually before upgrades to versions 4.0 and earlier.
• Checks Call Home enablement on the appliance.
• Checks the installation for Nutanix add-on. The add-on must be removed before upgrading to version 3.3.0.1 (and Maintenance Releases) or 4.0 (and Maintenance Releases).
• Updates the check for bp.conf with additional validation for the “NETBACKUP_APPLIANCE_MODE” field.
• From this release, the time period of the alert notification regarding AURA upgrade has been increased from 14 days to 90 days.
• Corrects the permission on /etc/hosts if it is not set to 644.
• Removes the legacy file grub.cfg.bak (if present) if the current NetBackup Appliance software version is 4.1 or later.

__________________________________________________________________________

Version 8.0.0

What's new in version 8.0.0 with release date: 2021-07-19

• Removes the check for NFS share mount point for upgrades to NBA/NBVA 4.1 and later.
• Removes the check for the last appliance reboot.
• Removes the check for appliance EEB installation status.
• Checks the APTARE status. It must be disabled before upgrading.
• Checks the AMS version. If necessary, you must first install the latest version of the AMS/agent before upgrading.
• Updates the check for the open storage plugin message from ERROR to WARNING.
• Updates the check for appliance infrastructure services status to bring services up.
• Updates the check for appliance storage by blocking upgrades to 4.1 and later on appliances with PureDisk storage.
• Updates the check for HA to check the service group status. Do not freeze the service groups prior to starting the upgrade being started.
• For HA setups, starting with NBA 4.1, you must first run the analyzer tool on both HA nodes before you upgrade them. Start by running the analyzer tool on the compute node where the MSDP and the virtual IP services are online. Then, run the analyzer tool on the partner node where the MSDP and the virtual IP services are offline. After both nodes have passed the preflight checks, begin the upgrades starting with the partner node, then upgrade the compute node afterward.
• Checks the current node status and blocks the upgrade if the HA setup contains only one node.
• Integrates the latest NetBackup pre-upgrade tool to align with NetBackup 9.1 pre-upgrade check.
• Performs the pre-upgrade check for upgrades to all of the following appliance software versions: 3.1.2, 3.2, 3.3.0.1, 4.0, 4.0.0.1, and 4.1.
• Checks the previously deployed external certificate and blocks the upgrade if the private key format and the certificate subject do not meet requirements.
• Replaces the term ‘master server’ with “primary server”. Some messages in the analyzer tool may still refer to ‘master server’. These occurrences will be updated in future releases.
• When the STIG feature is enabled, checks the maintenance user password expiration date and blocks the upgrade if the password has expired or will expire within 7 days.

The following describes key points about the 8.0.0 version of the analyzer tool:

• The tool can be used on appliances targeted to upgrade for NBA 4.1 with current NBA software versions 3.1.1 and later. The tool is not compatible with software versions 2.7.2 and earlier.
• The tool makes the following changes to prepare the appliance for an upgrade:
  • Checks and starts the appliance database and cron services. These services should always be up and running. If they are stopped before the analysis begins, the analyzer tool restarts them.
  • Removes stale device handles.
  • When upgrade to NBA 3.1.2, 3.2, 3.3.0.1, if Fiber Channel replication is configured, stops the handlehelper process if it is using the MSDP partition. Although this can cause NetBackup jobs to fail, they are resumed automatically.
  • Deletes all of the existing upgrade checkpoints, except for the latest post-upgrade checkpoint.
  • When upgrade to NBA 3.2, 3.3.0.1, removes exit 0 from the rc.local file to ensure that rollback scripts get executed.
  • Corrects the time zone value if the value is incorrect or empty.
  • When upgrade to NBA 3.1.2, 3.2, 3.3.0.1, deletes any leftover older kernel files that are not in use.
  • Checks the status of NetBackup to determine if it can be upgraded during the appliance software upgrade.
  • A support DataCollect process (asc_collect) may be started after the analyzer tool has completed all pre-checks. This process attempts to upload support logs to Veritas for further analysis. Any errors from this process can be ignored.
  • Converts the non-PKCS8 private key of the external certificate to the PKCS8 format.

__________________________________________________________________________

Version 4.0

What's new in version 4.0 with release date: 2021-03-01

• Blocks upgrades to 4.0 and later on NetBackup Appliance model 5230.
• Blocks upgrades to 4.0 and later for Cloud Catalyst appliances.
• Removes the check for the status of use_authentication.
• If you launch the analyzer tool on an appliance with internet access, the tool automatically checks the Veritas website for a later tool version. If a later version is found, the appliance will download and launch it automatically to start the pre-upgrade check process.
• The appliance web console and the appliance shell menu now support downloading the analyzer tool directly from the Veritas website. For details, see the NetBackup Appliance Administrator’s Guide and the NetBackup Appliance Commands Reference Guide.
• Checks the system variable max_user_watches and modifies it to 65536
• Checks for the installation of EEBs with a release date after June 19th, 2020. If any are detected, a manual uninstallation is required.
• Updates the NetBackup pre-upgrade tool to align with NetBackup 9.0 by adding a DB conversion duration check.
• Starting with release 4.0, Veritas now provides a single Appliance Upgrade Readiness Analyzer tool that works for all upgrade scenarios. Whether you are upgrading to version 3.2, 3.3.0.1, or 4.0, you can use this new tool version to perform the pre-upgrade check for all of these upgrade scenarios.

The following describes key points about the 4.0 version of the analyzer tool:

• The tool can be used only on appliances targeted to upgrade to 4.0 with current software versions 3.0 and later. The tool is not compatible with software versions 2.7.3 and earlier.
• You must run this tool from the NetBackup Appliance Shell Menu or the Appliance Management Server. Other appliance interfaces do not support the use of this tool.
• The tool performs an analysis of the current appliance configuration and cannot be used to upgrade the appliance.
• The tool makes the following changes to prepare the appliance for an upgrade:
• Checks and starts the appliance database and cron services. These services should always be up and running. If they are stopped before the analysis begins, the analyzer tool restarts them.
• Removes stale device handles.
• If Fiber Channel replication is configured, stops the handlehelper process if it is using the MSDP partition. Although this can cause NetBackup jobs to fail, they are resumed automatically.
• Deletes all of the existing upgrade checkpoints, except for the latest post-upgrade checkpoint.
• Removes exit 0 from the rc.local file to ensure that rollback scripts get executed.
• Corrects the time zone value if the value is incorrect or empty.
• Cleans up old logs from the system.
• Deletes any leftover older kernel files that are not in use.
• Checks the status of NetBackup to determine if it can be upgraded during the appliance software upgrade.
• A support DataCollect process (asc_collect) may be started after the analyzer tool has completed all pre-checks. This process attempts to upload support logs to Veritas for further analysis. Any errors from this process can be ignored.

__________________________________________________________________________

Version 3.3.0.1

What's new in version 3.3.0.1 with release date: 2020-09-01

• Removes the check for the Symantec Data Center Security policy state.
• Removes the check for the local  'nbasecadmin' user with the 'Security Adminstrator' role.
• Updates the list of EEBs that require an OS reboot to complete uninstallation of the EEB.
• Updates the NetBackup pre-upgrade tool to align with NetBackup 8.3.0.1.

The following describes key points about the 3.3.0.1 version of the analyzer tool:

• The tool can be used only on appliances targeted to upgrade to 3.3.0.1 with current software versions 3.0 and later. The tool is not compatible with software versions 2.7.3 and earlier.
• You must run this tool from the NetBackup Appliance Shell Menu or the Appliance Management Server. Other appliance interfaces do not support the use of this tool.
• The tool performs an analysis of the current appliance configuration and cannot be used to upgrade the appliance.
• The tool makes the following changes to prepare the appliance for an upgrade:
• Checks and starts the appliance database and cron services. These services should always be up and running. If they are stopped before the analysis begins, the analyzer tool restarts them.
• Removes stale device handles.
• If Fiber Channel replication is configured, stops the handlehelper process if it is using the MSDP partition. Although this can cause NetBackup jobs to fail, they are resumed automatically.
• Deletes all of the existing upgrade checkpoints, except for the latest post-upgrade checkpoint.
• Removes exit 0 from the rc.local file to ensure that rollback scripts get executed.
• Corrects the time zone value if the value is incorrect or empty.
• Cleans up old logs from the system.
• Deletes any leftover older kernel files that are not in use.
• Checks the status of NetBackup to determine if it can be upgraded during the appliance software upgrade.
• A support DataCollect process (asc_collect) may be started after the analyzer tool has completed all pre-checks. This process attempts to upload support logs to Veritas for further analysis. Any errors from this process can be ignored.

The 3.3.0.1 Upgrade Readiness Analyzer is available here
(https://www.veritas.com/content/support/en_US/downloads/update.UPD299209)

__________________________________________________________________________

Version 3.2

What's new in version 3.2-4 with release date: 2020-03-23

• Checks the NetBackup use_authentication status. It must be set to OFF before appliance software upgrade.
• Counts the NetBackup reporting files under /cat/cgd. The number of files and the total size of these files may slow down the upgrade process. You can delete unnecessary reporting files to speed up upgrade process.
• Checks the release date of the analyzer tool. It is recommended to run the latest version of the tool to determine if the appliance is ready for a software upgrade.
• Checks the last time the appliance was rebooted. It is recommended to reboot the appliance before an upgrade, especially if there have been critical or substantial system changes since the last reboot.

The following describes key points about the 3.2 version of the analyzer tool:

• The tool can be used only on appliances targeted to upgrade to 3.2 with current software versions 2.7.3 and later. The tool is not compatible with software versions 2.7.2 and earlier.
• You must run this tool from the NetBackup Appliance Shell Menu or the Appliance Management Server. Other appliance interfaces do not support the use of this tool.
• The tool performs an analysis of the current appliance configuration and cannot be used to upgrade the appliance.
• The tool makes the following changes to prepare the appliance for an upgrade:
• Checks and starts the appliance database and cron services. These services should always be up and running. If they are stopped before the analysis begins, the analyzer tool restarts them.
• Removes stale device handles.
• If Fiber Channel replication is configured, stops the handlehelper process if it is using the MSDP partition. Although this can cause NetBackup jobs to fail, they are resumed automatically.
• Deletes all of the existing upgrade checkpoints, except for the latest post-upgrade checkpoint.
• Removes exit 0 from the rc.local file to ensure that rollback scripts get executed.
• Corrects the time zone value if the value is incorrect or empty.
• Cleans up old logs from the system.
• Deletes any leftover older kernel files that are not in use.
• Checks the status of NetBackup to determine if it can be upgraded during the appliance software upgrade.
• A support DataCollect process (asc_collect) may be started after the analyzer tool has completed all pre-checks. This process attempts to upload support logs to Veritas for further analysis. Any errors from this process can be ignored.

The 3.2 Upgrade Readiness Analyzer is available here
(https://www.veritas.com/content/support/en_US/downloads/update.UPD299209)

___________________________________________________________

Version 3.1.2

Important! This article contains the latest 3.1.2 version of the tool with the following release date: Thu Apr 11 2019 (20190411). If you downloaded the tool from this article before that date, discard that version and download this current version.

The following describes key points about the 3.1.2 analyzer tool:

• The tool can be used only on appliances with software versions 2.7.1 and later. The tool is not compatible with software versions 2.6.x and earlier.
• You must run this tool from the NetBackup Appliance Shell Menu. Other appliance interfaces do not support the use of this tool.
• The tool performs an analysis of the current appliance configuration and cannot be used to upgrade the appliance.
• The tool makes the following changes to prepare the appliance for an upgrade:
• Starts the mongodb and crond processes.
• Removes stale device handles.
• If Fibre Channel replication is configured, stops the handlehelper process if it is using the MSDP partition. Although this can cause NetBackup jobs to fail, they are resumed automatically.
• Deletes all existing checkpoints since the last upgrade, and all snapshots.
• Removes exit 0 from the rc.local file to ensure that scripts get executed.
• Corrects the ZONE value in the existing /etc/sysconfig/clock file, if it is incorrect.
• Extends the system_service_stop timeout from 90 seconds to 150 seconds. This may result in longer reboot times.
• Deletes the pdregistry.cfg file on the partner node in a High Availability (HA) setup.
• Deletes the NetBackup client addons. The addons must be reinstalled.

The 3.1.2 Upgrade Readiness Analyzer is available here
(https://www.veritas.com/content/support/en_US/downloads/update.UPD299209)