NDMP backup directly writing from NAS storage to the tape

[itpr@factorbank.com]

Veeam Support - Case # 07314980

Hi,

We use NDMPv4 backup to write NAS shares to the tape, and it's extrenely slow, e.g. to write 8,3 TB from NetApp storage to the tape it takes around 24 hours. The reason is the current dataflow of Veeam B&R software: Storage appliance -> Veeam Gateway Server -> Veeam Tape Server -> Tape. Our NetApp storage and HPE TapeLoader are connected via fiber channel, but Veeam B&R software uses above mentioned dataflow and thus management port (1 Gbps) is used instead of FC.
Would it be possible for the next editions/upgrades of Veeam B&R software to enable NDMP backup to directly write from the storage to the tape and thus avoid significant delay?

[Mildur]

Hello Davor

May I ask why you are not using our NAS backup jobs?
It would allow you granular restores of files and folders. Tapes are supported as well.
Also new features or enhancements for Tape and other features will come more likely to NAS backup jobs and not NDMP.

management port (1 Gbps)

Have you considered to upgrade your NetApp ports and backup server to 10Gbit? 10 Gbit NICs should be affordable this days.
And I assume enduser who access data simultaneously on those NAS shares will benefit from 10Gbit as well.

Best,
Fabian

[itpr@factorbank.com]

Hi Fabian,

I suppose You meant on Unstructured Data Backup, i.e. File backup job (references: https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... ml?ver=120, https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... ml?ver=120). If so, yes, it's possible to do it, file share (SMB share) has been already added and visible within our Veeam Backup & Replication Console. But, if possible, we would like to avoid such additional step of processing and writing first to our physical Veeam B&R server, and then from the local disk to the tape (File to Tape job), that's why NDMP was chosen to fetch NAS shares and then write it to the tape.

Our NetApp has 10 Gbit ports, but the NetApp file share itself is actually reachable through the management port (1 Gbit), and that's why we have the following warning message after NDMP backup is finished (successfully):
NDMP device warning: Data connection is established on 192.168.x.x which is hosted on port e0M. This is a low bandwidth port and might impact performance

As I could understand, most probably there will be no changes/improvements of the current dataflow of Veeam B&R software (Storage appliance -> Veeam Gateway Server -> Veeam Tape Server -> Tape) regarding NDMP backup.