Auto-scaling enables dynamic scaling of access nodes to meet changing workload demands. Based on a defined scaling profile, the system automatically deploys access nodes within a region only when required and decommissions them once operations are complete. This ensures optimal performance while minimizing unnecessary resource consumption.
Auto-scaling is particularly critical during large-scale backup, restore, and disaster recovery operations, where data volumes and workload demands can vary significantly. By allocating access nodes on demand and powering them down when no longer needed, the system prevents bottlenecks, reduces operational overhead, and optimizes compute costs.
For information about auto-scaling for all Virtualization workloads, see Auto-Scaling for Virtualization Access Nodes.
Supported AWS regions
Auto-scaling is supported for all commercial and GovCloud AWS Regions. Edge locations (such as AWS Outposts, Local Zones, and Wavelength Zones) are not supported.
Amazon Machine Images (AMIs) used for auto-scaled access nodes
The software creates the auto-scaled access nodes by cloning an Amazon Machine Image (AMI). Commvault provides a version of the following AMIs (CIS hardened) for each platform release. To use these images, subscribe to them on AWS Marketplace. The AMIs are deployed for each AWS Region that has instances that reside in the AWS account.
important
Starting with Commvault Platform Release 11.42.40, access node AMIs have been updated. Subscribe to the latest AMIs before configuring access nodes.
-
Commvault Cloud Access Node ARM BYOL: Amazon Linux AWS Graviton (ARM 64-bit)
-
Commvault Cloud - Amazon Linux Access Node BYOL: Amazon Linux 2023
-
Commvault Cloud - Access Node for Microsoft 365 BYOL: Windows Server 2022 (64-bit x86)
Amazon EC2 instance types used for auto-scaled access nodes
By default, an AWS Graviton (Arm-based, 64-bit) image with the c7g.xlarge instance type is used to create the auto-scaled access nodes. If an AWS Graviton (Arm-based, 64-bit) image is not available in the AWS Region, then an x86 image with a c6a.xlarge instance is used.
You can specify a different instance type. The following AWS instance types are supported:
-
AWS Graviton (Arm-based, 64-bit): c7g.xlarge (default), c6g.large, c6g.xlarge, c6g.2xlarge, r6g.large, r6g.xlarge, r6g.2xlarge, r6g.4xlarge
-
x86: c6a.xlarge (default), c5.large, c5.xlarge, c5.2xlarge, m5a.2xlarge, r5a.large, r5a.xlarge
Deployment location of auto-scaled access nodes
The access nodes are created in zones or regions, depending on which transport mode is used:
-
EBS direct transport mode: In regions
-
AWS VM Import/Export transport mode: In regions
-
HotAdd transport mode: In zones