Configuring Disk Storage

You can create a disk storage and associate one or more MediaAgents with it.

When configuring backup locations, you can specify either local paths or network paths.

If multiple MediaAgents are associated with the disk storage, you can configure Windows shared paths or Unix shared paths so that all associated MediaAgents can access the same backup location.

The number of partitions created is determined by the number of DDB MediaAgents selected during configuration:

• 1 MediaAgent selected

  • Two partitions are created on the single MediaAgent.

• 2 MediaAgents selected

  • Two partitions are created on each MediaAgent, for a total of four partitions.

• 3 to 6 MediaAgents selected

  • A total of six partitions are created and distributed evenly across the selected MediaAgents.

• More than 6 MediaAgents selected

  • The first six MediaAgents are used to create the six partitions.
  • The remaining MediaAgents are assigned the Deduplication Database (DDB) role only.

The software automatically assigns the deduplication database (DDB) path on the MediaAgent without requiring user input.

Before You Begin

• Verify that the backup location is accessible from the associated MediaAgents.
• Verify that any required network shares have been created.
• Verify that the required credentials are available for network locations.
• If multiple MediaAgents will access the backup location, verify that appropriate Windows or Unix shared paths are available.

Procedure

1. From the navigation pane, go to Manage > Storage > Disk.

2. Click Add.

   The Add Disk Storage page appears.

3. IN the Name box, enter the name of disk storage.

4. From the MediaAgent list, select the storage MediaAgents that will be used to configure the backup location.

5. To use deduplication, move the Use deduplication toggle key to the right, and from the DDB MediaAgent list, select the MediaAgent to store the deduplication database.

6. To add a backup location, click Add in the Backup Location section.

   The Add Backup Location dialog box appears.

7. Complete the following steps:

   1. From the MediaAgent list, select the host MediaAgent for the backup location.

      The list contains the MediaAgents that were previously selected on the Add Disk Storage page.

      Note

      The list displays MediaAgents classified as Active (MediaAgents having license) and Inactive (MediaAgents having MediaAgent package installed, but license not consumed). The license is auto consumed if you select an inactive MediaAgent.

   2. Enter the backup location and other fields that appear based on the MediaAgents selected in the Add disk storage page and in the Add backup location dialog box.

      Review the additional information and notes below for help.

   3. When asked, from the Crdential list, select the credential to access a shared path.

      To add a new credential, click the + sign to create new credentials to access a network drive as described in Creating a Credential to Access a Network Drive.

   4. Click Add.`

8. Repeat the preceding steps to add additional backup locations.

9. Click Save.

Result

The disk storage is created and associated with the selected MediaAgents.

If shared paths are provided, the associated MediaAgents use those paths to access the backup location. Shared paths enable multiple MediaAgents running different operating systems or using different path formats to access the same storage location.

Additional Information

The backup location path is entered from the perspective of the selected host MediaAgent.

The fields displayed in the Add backup location dialog box depend on the MediaAgents previously selected for the disk storage in the Add disk storage page and the host MediaAgent selected in the Add Backup Location dialog box.

Scenario 1: Single Windows MediaAgent

When only one Windows MediaAgent is associated with the disk storage:

Local Backup Location

The following field is displayed:

• Backup Location

  For example: E:\Backups

Network Backup Location

The following fields are displayed:

• Credential

• Backup Location

  For example: \\WinMA1\Backups

Shared path fields are not displayed.

Scenario 2: Multiple Windows MediaAgents

When multiple Windows MediaAgents are associated with the disk storage and a Windows MediaAgent is selected as the host:

Local Backup Location

The following fields are displayed:

• Backup Location

  For example: E:\Backups

• Windows Shared Path

  • Credential

  • Path

    Format: \\<hostMediaAgent>\Backups

    For example: \\WinMA1\Backups

Network

• Credential

• Backup Location

  Format: \\StorageMachineName\Backups

  For example: \\WinMA2\Backups

All Windows MediaAgents except the selected host MediaAgent use the Windows shared path to access the backup location.

Scenario 3: Unix-Only MediaAgents (one or multiple)

When only Unix MediaAgents are associated with the disk storage and a Unix MediaAgent is selected as the host:

Local Backup Location

The following field is displayed:

• Backup Location

  For example: /MountedLibrary/folder1

No additional shared path configuration is required because the backup location path is entered from the perspective of the selected Unix host.

Scenario 4: Mixed Windows and Unix MediaAgents (Windows Host)

When both Windows and Unix MediaAgents are associated with the disk storage and a Windows MediaAgent is selected as the host:

Local Backup Location

The following fields are displayed:

• Backup Location

  For example: E:\Backups

• Windows Shared Path (appears when there is more than one Windows MediaAgent)

  • Credential

  • Path

    For example: \\WinMA1\Backups

• Unix Shared Path

  • Path: This is the path where Windows shared path is mounted that allows access to Unix MediaAgents.

    For example: /MountedLibrary/folder1

The Windows shared path is used by the additional Windows MediaAgents.

Network

• Credential

• Backup Location

  Format: \\StorageMachineName\Backups

  For example: \\WinMA2\Backups

• Unix Shared Path

  • Path: This is the path where Windows shared path is mounted that allows access to Unix MediaAgents.

    For example: /MountedLibrary/folder1

Scenario 5: Mixed Windows and Unix MediaAgents (Unix Host)

When both Windows and Unix MediaAgents are associated with the disk storage and a Unix MediaAgent is selected as the host:

The following fields are displayed:

• Backup Location

  For example: E:\Backups

• Windows Shared Path

  • Credential

  • Path

    For example: \\WinMA1\Backups

• Unix Shared Path (appears when there is more than one Windows MediaAgent)

  • Path: This is the path where Windows shared path is mounted that allows access to Unix MediaAgents.

    For example: /MountedLibrary/folder1

The Windows shared path is used by the Windows MediaAgents.