Thursday, October 31, 2013

Workaround to dump NetWorker database using nsrmmdbasm in NW 8.x

In NetWorker 8.x, due to permission issue, we cannot dump the database out using nsrmmdbasm (assume both nsrexecd and nsrd are run as local system).  To workaround the issue after discuss with support.  There are two workarounds.

1. Start the Networker Remote Exec service and the Backup and Remote Exec service using the same administrator account you are logged into the system.

2. Use the “at” windows command to run nsrmmdbasm under the SYSTEM account.

I choose option 2.  First download a copy of PSexec from Sysinternals and unzip it to a folder. 
Then open Command Prompt as Administrator. 

cd to the folder with PSexec tools. 

Run the following command in command prompt
PSEXEC -i -s -d CMD
This will open up a new command window

Run "whoami /user" to confirm the new command window is run as local system.

Then run the nsrmmdbasm to dump the mm out as a flat file. 
nsrmmdbasm -s "C:\Program Files\EMC NetWorker\nsr\mm\mmvolume6" > mmdb.dump
 
 
 
 

Saturday, October 19, 2013

packages prerequisite for installing VMtools in CentOS VM

Just image my laptop and building all the VMs again with newer version of OS.  Need to install VMtools on the new CentOS 6 VM but forget the list of packages required.  Find VM kb2002290.

To resolve this issue, run this command before installing VMware Tools:
yum install kernel-devel kernel-headers gcc mkinitrd

Saturday, September 28, 2013

BenQ MiraScan S2W 4300V

Just upgrade my laptop to Windows 7 and my BenQ scanner no longer works.  Since BenQ no longer provides drivers update to the scanner, I am stuck.  Try to install the XP drivers in XP mode but it still fails to detect the scanner.  Search Google for a couple of hours and finally find this link with the drivers that work. 

http://www.eightforums.com/drivers-hardware/16245-old-acer-benq-scanner-drivers-x84-x64.html

Download the driver.  Just use driver update from device manager and it works.  However, I prefer the XP scan GUI. 

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Turn off time sync in virtual machine

Recently, I got a request to recover the gst database of NetWorker to retreive some historical backup stats because retention for stats was set too short.  To avoid interfering the production environment, I close the gstd saveset out with FTD as clone device.  Build a Windows 2003 VM on my laptop with same version of NetWorker.  Because retention for stats was too short.  As soon as I recovered the gstd database and started gst service, those expired records would be purged.  Only option is to change the system time of VM to an earlier date within the retention period.  To achieve that, I follow VMware kb1189 to disable the time sync with host.

Since I am using VMware Workstation, I choose to edit the vmx file.  For vSphere, you can add parameters following the kb1189.

Add configuration options in the virtual machine's .vmx file:

Open the virtual machine's configuration file (/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx) using a text editor.
  1. Set these options to zero. If the entries do not exist, add them.

    Note: 0 = disabled, 1 = enabled.

    tools.syncTime = "0"
    time.synchronize.continue = "0"
    time.synchronize.restore = "0"
    time.synchronize.resume.disk = "0"
    time.synchronize.shrink = "0"
    time.synchronize.tools.startup = "0"
    time.synchronize.tools.enable = "0"
    time.synchronize.resume.host = "0"


    Note: In GSX, VMware Fusion, and VMware Workstation, you must use "FALSE" instead of "0". For example:

    tools.syncTime = "FALSE"
    time.synchronize.continue = "FALSE"
    time.synchronize.restore = "FALSE"
    time.synchronize.resume.disk = "FALSE"
    time.synchronize.shrink = "FALSE"
    time.synchronize.tools.startup = "FALSE"
    time.synchronize.tools.enable = "FALSE"
    time.synchronize.resume.host = "FALSE"
After that, I change the system date, scan in the media.  run recoverpsm and then start gst.  Now, all the stats I need is there. 

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Add new shelf on DD880

Just add the last ES30 shelf with 2TB disks.  You can simplily find the instructions on DataDomain Document ID 72323.  The DD880 was setup with 5 ES20 shelves of 2TB disks.  So, we can only add one more ES30 shelf of 2TB.  Because you cannot mix ES30 with ES20 on the same loop, I arrange downtime to power down the DD880 before moving the ES20 to free up one loop.  That free loop is for the newly purchase ES30. 

For DDOS 5.1, you do need a shelf license and a Expanded Storage license.  Make sure you get your topology first before adding.  I will email a copy of autosupport to myself first.  On ES20, you do see the word host on the host port.  On ES30, they use diamond to represent ext port and circle represent host port. 

Saturday, August 24, 2013

EVA4400 Array Based Management Module

Recently, I was working on a move of EVA4400.  It is similar to the EVA4000 I worked before.  However, it comes with a management module.  Read through the manual, and it is an option to save money to have a management server to manage EVA4400.  Keep in mind though.  If you need to use EVAperf to collect performance stats, you still need to set up a management server with FC connection to EVA4400.  EVAperf is not installed with management module. 

Here is the instructions to collect logs using the Array Based Management Module.  You can find the full detail instructions from HP website.

1) logon to the Array Management Module through web browser (https://ip:2732 to access CommandView).
2) Click the Cell name under Storage Systems on the left.
3) Click Server Options.
4) Click Capture system information.
5) The minimum for EVA4400 diagnosis of operational issues is as follows:
Controller Termination Events, Controller Events, Controller Configuration Dump
6) If you have a more complex issue involving Command View objects and the use or interaction of the ABM Command View to the EVA4400, you may be requested to collect all entries.
7) Click Capture selected information .
8) Click the Save button, then the OK button to return to management of Command View.

To change ip of Array Based Management Module (You can find the steps in EVA4400 User Guide)
1) browse to https://ip:2373 and login using account with administrator rights
2) Select Administrator Options > Configure Network Options.
3) Enter an IP address and other network settings that apply.

NOTE: The management module firmware reserves IP addresses for internal communications.
If you are using HP Command View EVA 9.2 or earlier, the reserved IP addresses are 10.0.0.1
through 10.0.0.3. Later versions of the management module firmware will also use these
addresses if the array has older controller firmware loaded. The latest versions of controller
and management module firmware, however, use the reserved IP address range from
10.253.251.230 through 10.253.251.249. The management module cannot be configured
to use these addresses, nor can it communicate with external systems that fall within the reserved
address range (for example, web client, router, DNS server, and so on).
4) Click Save Changes.

To test email notification
1) Login to https://ip:2372 and click Server Options.
2) Open Email Notification Server Options and confirm email notification is setup with smtp info entered.
3) Expand Disk Group from the left and click on your Disk Group (I have only one disk group setup)
4) Change the warning and critical level to lower % say 5% and click "Save Change" (learn this from HP forum)
5) Wait for a few minute and you should receive the notification email. 

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Do not start NetWorker automatically after successful installation

For some reason, if you don't want NetWorker start automatically after successful installation, you can run the command below with setup.exe. 

setup /vSTARTSVC=0

There should be a kb in powerlink if you are interested. 

PS: Please refer to installation guide for more option used with the command line installation.  (7/13/14)

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Scrubbing Your NetApp Disk

I was asked about how to scrub NetApp disk.  Find the following video in the internet. 

Scrubbing Your NetApp Disk

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Apply Microsoft fix 2748349 on all Windows backup clients

Other than applying Microsoft patch 940349 on all Windows 2003 server, there is a new patch now for all VSS backup on Windows client - 2748349.  This is required on all VSS backup.  Here are the symption and the prerequisites described in the Microsoft kb 2748349 (please review Microsoft kb for all the details).  Basically, this applies to all backup application using VSS. 

Assume that you have a computer that is running Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, or Windows Server 2008 R2. You use a backup application that uses the Windows Volume Shadow Copy feature to create snapshots and read files from the snapshots. In this situation, one or more corrupted files are found in the snapshots.

Notes

  • The corrupted files can be backed up by using the backup application. The corrupted files can only be noticed during a restore process.
  • The backup data of any third-party back up application can be affected. For example, NTBackup, Windows Server Backup, System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) can be affected. Please contact your third-party backup solution manufacturer to determine whether they use the Windows Volume Shadow Copy feature to create backups.

Prerequisites

To apply this update, you must be running one of the following operation systems:
  • Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2)
  • Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2)
  • Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2)
  • Windows 7
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 
Note The fix is included in Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1.