Preinstallation Checklist for the Windows File System Agent

The File System Agent protects and restores the file system data on Windows computers. You can also configure the agent to incorporate archiving and snapshot management solutions. For more information, see Overview - Windows File System Agent.

The File System Agent is the combination of the following packages:

Package

Description

File System Core

Base package which establishes connections between the client computer and the CommServe database.

Provides the ability to perform laptop backups and restores.

File System

Provides advanced features to protect the file system data, which include:

  • All backup and restore capabilities, such as IntelliSnap backups.

  • Ability to generate Discovery and File Level Analytics reports.

  • Ability to perform 1-Touch and OnePass operations.

Use this preinstallation checklist to prepare the computer where the File System Agent will be installed and to gather all of the information you will need during the installation.

Verify System Requirements

Verify that the computer where you will install the File System Agent satisfies the minimum requirements specified in System Requirements - Microsoft Windows File System Agent.

If you plan to use the OnePass solution, review the requirements specified in System Requirements - OnePass for Windows.

If you plan to use snapshot management solutions, review the requirements described in System Requirements - IntelliSnap Backup.

Verify License Requirements

Based on the licensing mechanism used in your CommCell environment, verify that the CommCell has the required licenses to use the File System Agent. For more information, see License Requirements - Windows File System Agent

If you plan to use the OnePass solution, review the license information in License Requirements - Archiving.

Note

Remember: The File System Agent is a dependency for most agents. If required by an agent, the File System Agent is installed automatically without consuming a license.

Determine the Installation Location

Based on your environment, install the File System Agent on the appropriate computer.

Environment

Where to install the software

Non-Clustered

On the computer that you want to back up.

Clustered

On all physical nodes of the cluster.

Gather Installation Data

Refer to the items in this section to gather the information that you will need during the installation. Record the information before you begin installing the software, so you can refer to it during the installation.

You can install the File System Agent using either the CommCell Console or the installation package created by the Download Manager. Any item that applies to only one of these installation methods is noted.

Commvault package to install

Install the File System package, which is listed under the Microsoft Windows category.

Note

Regardless of the installation method, the File System Core package is automatically included in the installation.

To configure the File System Agent on your client, right-click the client computer, point to All Tasks, and then click Create File System Agent. The File System Agent will consume a license, and you can back up the file system content on your client computer.

Destination folder for the software installation

By default, the software is installed in C:\Program Files\CommVault\ContentStore. You can change the destination folder, but it cannot be on a mapped network drive.

The installation program uses the C:\%allusersprofile% folder as a temporary location to copy the installation files. This location does not change, even if you choose to install the software on a drive other than C:.

CVD port for CommCell communication

By default, CVD uses port number 8400. If the port number is used by other applications, or if you plan to install a new Commvault instance, select a port number that is between 1024 and 65535.

Firewall services

  • If there is a firewall between the client computer and the CommServe computer, gather the following information based on your firewall setup:

  • Client connects to the CommServe computer (One-Way Firewall)

    Select an HTTP or HTTPS port number that can be used to open tunnel connections to the CommServe computer.

    If the client is separated from the CommServe computer by an HTTP proxy, collect the host name (or IP address) and the port number of the HTTP proxy through which the CommServe computer can be reached.

  • CommServe computer connects to the client (One-Way Firewall)

    Select a local HTTP or HTTPS port number that can be used by the CommServe computer to open tunnel connections towards the client.

  • CommServe computer can be reached only through a Proxy

    Collect the following information:

    • Client name of the Commvault proxy (name is case-sensitive).

    • HTTP or HTTPS tunnel port number on which the proxy expects connections.

      If the CommServe computer is behind a port-forwarding gateway, collect the port number of the gateway instead.

    • Host name or IP address of the proxy through which the CommServe computer can be reached.

      If the CommServe computer is behind a port-forwarding gateway, collect the host name or IP address of the gateway instead.

      Note

      If the client is separated from the CommServe computer by an HTTP proxy, collect the host name (or IP address) and the port number of the HTTP proxy through which the CommServe computer can be reached.

  • Other Firewall Setups

    The following firewall setups share the same preparation requirements as those listed under Client Connects to the CommServe Computer:

    • Two-way firewall, where the client and CommServe computer connect to each other.

Port-forwarding gateway, where the gateway forwards incoming connections on specific ports.

Client certificates

  • This information is only applicable to installations using the installation package.

If the CommCell environment is in "lockdown" mode, create a temporary certificate to authenticate the client installation. For more information, see Create a Temporary Certificate for Client Installation.

Note that installations using the CommCell Console are not supported when the CommCell is in "lockdown" mode.

Client computer details

  • For installations using the CommCell Console:

    Collect the host name (fully qualified domain name) of the computers on which you want to install the software. You also need an administrative account that has access to all the computers. The account details are not required for existing clients.

  • For installations using the installation package:

    By default, the installation program uses the local (NetBIOS) name of the computer to configure the client name in the CommServe database as well as the display name in the CommCell Console. Optionally, you can use a different display name to represent the client. Do not include spaces in the name.

The installation program also uses the default network interface name (host name) of the computer to communicate with the CommServe computer. If the computer has multiple network interfaces, select the interface name to use.

Windows Firewall for Computer Profiles

This information is only applicable to installations using the installation package.

If Windows Firewall is enabled for some profiles (PublicProfile, DomainProfile, and StandardProfile), decide whether you want to disable Windows Firewall for all profiles.

Windows Firewall Exclusion List

If the computer has Windows Firewall turned on, you can add the Commvault programs and services to the Windows Firewall exclusion list during the installation. We recommend this configuration which enables CommCell operations across the firewall.

Client groups

  • If you want the computer to share the same properties of a client group, and client groups are configured in your CommCell environment, select a client group to use.

For more information on client groups, see Client Computer Groups.

Subclient policy

  • If you have subclient policies configured in your CommCell environment, select a policy to associate to the default subclient.

For more information on subclient policies, see Subclient Policies - Getting Started.

Storage policy

  • If you have storage policies configured in your CommCell environment, select a policy to associate to the default subclient.

If you plan to create a new storage policy for the agent to be installed, see Storage Policy - Getting Started for instructions.

Configure for laptop backup

  • If you configure the agent for laptop backup, access to the CommCell Console is not required, since backup operations can be performed from the Web Console. For more information, see Edge Endpoint Solutions for End-Users.

This configuration also triggers the installation of the Edge Monitor tool, so that end-users can view the backup job summary of their laptop computer. For more information, see EdgeMonitor.

By default, the installation program creates a shortcut to access the Edge Monitor tool. If you decide not to create the shortcut, the tool can be accessed from the Installation_Directory/Base folder, by double-clicking CVEdgeMonitor.exe.

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