Host-based backup of Nutanix AHV VMs.
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k.klutke
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Multiple Clusters

Post by k.klutke »

Hi All,

We have 2 clusters for a single site.

I'm hoping i'm wrong here, but my understanding is:
Veeam Availability for Nutanix appliance required for each cluster. Each appliance is unaware of the other and act independently.

This is presenting some issues for me in terms of management.

As a VM moves from one cluster to another:
  • The VM will have to be removed from the job on Appliance 1 and added to Appliance 2
  • As it has come from a different appliance, it will be stored as a new instance in the repository.
  • - Two separate backup chains for the one VM
  • - Two locations to look in (depending on which cluster the VM was running on which date
This diagram should help explain:
Image

Please tell me this is not the case!
HannesK
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Re: Multiple Clusters

Post by HannesK »

Hello,
I'm sorry, but yes, that's the situation we have today.
Veeam Availability for Nutanix appliance required for each cluster. Each appliance is unaware of the other and act independently.
Correct. We are aware of the situation and that this is not perfect...

Best regards,
Hannes
ericschott
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Re: Multiple Clusters

Post by ericschott »

what is orchestrating the shifting of workloads from cluster1 to cluster2?

How often are the workloads being shifted (and why)?

Do you need this orchestration to adjust backups?
k.klutke
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Re: Multiple Clusters

Post by k.klutke »

Hi Eric,

Using the built in Nutanix "Protection Domains" features.

As required. We intend to use this to balance loads between the clusters and also use it to troubleshoot / isolate parts of the network.

Yes, currently the only thing holding us back from achieving this is the backup solution. Having the two clusters backed up independently means manual intervention & re-work every time a VM is moved. Also means each VM that moves has 2 seperate backup chains.
jmmarton
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Re: Multiple Clusters

Post by jmmarton »

Another option is to use Veeam Agents for now in lieu of the AHV-integrated solution. With instance licensing you should be able to use either method without having to purchase different Veeam solutions or swap license files. This would allow a VM to be backed up regardless of it moving around from one cluster to another.

Joe
k.klutke
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Re: Multiple Clusters

Post by k.klutke »

Hi Joe,

Certainly an option but is a pretty involved work around when you start to factor in 100+ VM's.

Kris
HannesK
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Re: Multiple Clusters

Post by HannesK »

Hello,
what exactly to you mean if you use protection groups? Usually they are quite handy with hundreds of physical systems so they should also be fine for VMs.

Best regards,
Hannes
k.klutke
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Re: Multiple Clusters

Post by k.klutke »

Hi Hannes,

Sorry I don't understand your question.
HannesK
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Re: Multiple Clusters

Post by HannesK »

Hi,
I understood your "pretty involved work around when you start to factor in 100+ VM's. " as "this is complicated / time consuming".

I suggested to use protection groups to simplify.

Best regards,
Hannes
simovm
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Re: Multiple Clusters

Post by simovm »

Hi,

This is something we will likely be looking at too and perhaps also AHV metro-availability if/when that arrives.

Is the ability to determine vm cluster location and therefore backup placement going to be on the road map for Veeam AHV?

What level of protection could we expect in future i.e. if vm is originally at site A with on-site and off-site backup at site A and B respectively and vm restarts on site B then the on-site and off-site backups will need to swap around?

The use of agents would not be an option really for us and seems to be a bit of a backwards step from utilising the AOS snapshots which I believe could be used?

Thanks

Simon
ericschott
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Re: Multiple Clusters

Post by ericschott »

This is something we monitor with Nutanix. There are several different possible use cases
a) DR
b) workload migration (not really a use case AHV does today)

And related questions to what are the capabilities for CBT as workloads migrate across different clusters.

As mentioned by Hannes, today you can define backup jobs via PDs, but this alone does not address the requests.
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