Sharing a Mount Path Using DataServer-IP

You can share a local mount path with multiple MediaAgents by using the DataServer-IP. DataServer-IP configuration has the following key benefits:

• The mount paths are shared without the complexity of managing user credentials for each mount path.

• The mount paths are exported on demand for a data protection operation through the DataServer-IP to the shared MediaAgents and are removed when they are not required.

Each shared MediaAgent uses its local storage for backups and during data read operations, such as restores and auxiliary copies, the data blocks are fetched using the DataServer-IP.

Support

Both the DataServer-IP MediaAgent and the shared MediaAgents are supported on Windows and Linux operating systems.

The NFS communication by default does not use data interface pairs if they are configured. To enable using the data interface pairs, you must add the NFSIgnoreDIP additional setting on the MediaAgent with value set to 0. For instructions about adding an additional setting from the CommCell Console, see Adding an Additional Settings from the CommCell Console.

Exceptions

• Sharing a UNC mount path using the DataServer-IP is not supported.

• Storage Policy with SILO copy is not supported.

• Network communication using IPv6 is not supported for DataServer-IP.

• A mount path configured on HyperScale 1.5 Appliance MediaAgent cannot be shared using DataServer-IP.

What to Avoid

• DataServer-IP is not a replacement for NAS device shares. Do not use DataServer-IP to re-share mount paths already backed by NFS or SMB protocols. For best performance when a NAS device is in use, connect the the NFS or SMB mount path to all MediaAgent instead of using DataServer-IP.

• Configuring DataServer-IP for read/write access is not recommended for production workloads due to scale and performance. Best performance is achieved when each MediaAgent has direct access to one or more mount paths for writes, with only reads occurring over DataServer-IP.

Before You Begin

• If you have upgraded from the previous Commvault version, ensure that you have set a Preferred MediaAgent. For more details, see Modify the Mount Path.

• If you have firewall configured in your CommCell environment, open the 2049 (TCP) and the 111 (TCP+UDP) firewall ports on the DataServer-IP MediaAgent for communication with the shared MediaAgents. For more details, see Firewall Ports Required to Configure DataServer-IP.

Procedure

1. From the CommCell Browser, expand to Storage Resources > Libraries > library.

2. Right-click the mount path that you want to share with another MediaAgent, and click Share Mount Path.

3. In the Mount Path Properties dialog box, click Share.

4. On the Share Mount Path dialog box, perform the following:

   1. From the Transport Type list, select Data Server - IP.

   2. Select the MediaAgent with which you want to share the mount path.

   3. In the Access column, select the access type.

      Note: By default, the mount path is shared with Read only access and therefore will be used only for read operations.

   4. Click OK.

   The new MediaAgent that is shared appears under Controllers.

5. Click OK.

   The mount path is now shared with the selected MediaAgent.

What to Do Next

You can create storage policies using the library for which the mount path is shared. Ensure that you configure the DataServer-IP MediaAgent as the preferred data path on the associated storage policy so that each shared MediaAgent uses its local storage for backups.