Integrating with EMC DD Boost

Product version: 7.5

Last modified: 04 June 2018

Question

Can I integrate NAKIVO Backup & Replication with EMC DD Boost?

Background

EMC Data Domain Boost, or DD Boost, is a protocol that enhances the interaction of backup applications with Data Domain storage appliances. DD Boost offloads part of the EMC Data Domain deduplication to the backup application side.

Answer

Yes. You can create a Backup Repository on an EMC Data Domain appliance with DD Boost support. To incorporate DD Boost features into NAKIVO Backup & Replication, BoostFS Plugin has to be installed on the Linux machine on which NAKIVO Backup & Replication is deployed. The plugin allows a DD Boost storage unit to be configured as a NAKIVO Backup & Replication Backup Repository via mounting the DD Boost file system on Linux.

Prerequisites

The following is required prior to creating a Backup Repository on an EMC Data Domain backup appliance with DD Boost support:

  1. Deployment and running of a physical or virtual Data Domain with DD OS Version 6.1 or later.

  2. A full solution of NAKIVO Backup & Replication or a NAKIVO Transporter only solution version 7.5 or later is deployed on a Linux machine, either as a VMware virtual appliance or a customized Linux installation.

Installing BoostFS Plugin on Linux Server

Follow the steps below to install BoostFS Plugin on a Linux server on which NAKIVO Backup & Replication is deployed and running:

  1. Log in to the Linux machine on which NAKIVO Backup & Replication is installed.

  2. Download the BoostFS Plugin package. Get the BoostFS Plugin for the user's Data Domain from the Dell-EMC downloads site.

  3. Unpack the contents of the package:

    tar -xzvf BFSAVT-<bfsavt-version>.tar.gz

  4. Change the directory to bfsprofiler/boostfs-pkg.

  5. Check the content of the directory with the ls command to obtain the correct name of the package required for the next step.

  6. Install the package on the Linux machine by running the following command:

    • On Ubuntu: dpkg -i DDBoostFS_<ddboostfs_version>_amd64.deb

    • On Red Hat: rpm -Uvh DDBoostFS-<ddboostfs_version>.rhel.x86_64.rpm

    • On SUSE: rpm -Uvh DDBoostFS-<ddboostfs_version>.sles.x86_64.rpm

where <ddboostfs_version> is the correct version of the package.

Creating a Storage Unit on Data Domain Backup Appliance

Follow the steps below to create a storage unit to be used by NAKIVO Backup & Replication as a Backup Repository:

  1. Open Data Domain System Manager of your Data Domain backup appliance and go to Data Management > File System.

  2. Verify that the file system has been created. If the file system has not been created, click Create and follow the file system creation wizard instructions.

  3. In Data Domain System Manager, go to Protocols > DD Boost. If DD Boost is disabled, click Enable.

  4. Create a new storage unit by following the steps below:

    1. On the DD Boostpage, open the Storage Unitstab.

    2. In Storage Units, clickAdd.

    3. The Create Storage Unit dialog box opens. Enter the following data:

      • Name: Add a name for your storage unit.

      • User: Choose a local user for accessing your storage unit. If needed, create a new user by choosing Create a new Local User.

      • Click the Create button when ready to create your storage unit.

If the operation is successful, your storage unit appears in the list of Data Domain storage units.

Creating a NAKIVO Backup & Replication Backup Repository on EMC Data Domain Backup Appliance

Follow the steps below to create a Backup Repository on a DD Boost storage unit:

  1. On the Linux server where NAKIVO Backup & Replication is deployed, create a lockbox file that the Data Domain backup appliance will use to store the Data Domain system information, including the DD Boost storage unit name and storage unit credentials:

    1. Change directory to /opt/emc/boostfs/bin/.

    2. Enter the following command:

      ./boostfs lockbox set -u <user> -d <backup_appliance> -s <storage_unit>

      where <user> is the user account for accessing your storage unit, <backup_appliance> is the IP address of the Data Domain backup appliance, and <storage_unit> is the name of the DD Boost storage unit.

    3. In the prompt that opens, enter the storage unit user password and then enter the user password again to confirm it.

  2. Open NAKIVO Backup & Replication and go to Settings > Repositories.

  3. Click Add Backup Repository and then click Create new backup repository.

  4. Select Deduplication Appliance and complete the wizard as it is described in Backup Repository on Deduplication Appliance. If the operation is successful, your Backup Repository on the EMC Data Domain backup appliance appears in the list of NAKIVO Backup & Replication Backup Repositories.