Replicated Nimble snapshots

[DD2021]

I have snapshots on the "Volume1" on the main Nimble array replicated to the DR Nimble array using Nimble replication.

The Veeam B&R server at the main office can see the snapshots on the "Volume1" on the main Nimble array, and I can restore Windows guest files from these snapshots.

I am testing to restore Windows guest files from the replicated snapshots on the DR Nimble array.
The issue is that my Veeam B&R server at DR cannot see the replicated snapshots on the "Volume1" on the DR Nimble array. I have tried to handover the "Volume1" from the main Nimble array, making the "Volume1" on the DR Nimble array ONLINE but the Veeam B&R server at DR still cannot see the replicated snapshots.

Do we know if it is possible to do restore from replicated Nimble snapshots?

thank you.

[rennerstefan]

Hi,

yes, restore from a secondary Snapshot also works with nimble snapshots.
There are some pages you should check first.
General limitations:
https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... ml?ver=110

Nimble secondary infos:
https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... le&ver=110

The most important thing is that you need at least one veeam proxy that is able to access the secondary nimble data Interfaces.

Feel free to provide more details on your environment.

Thanks

[foggy]

Hi Danny, make sure you've properly configured the proxy and added the secondary storage array to the backup infrastructure.

[DD2021]

Hi Stefan,

I think I am having issue with making at least one Veeam proxy server able to access the secondary nimble data interfaces (as your advice).

The secondary nimble (DR nimble) has management IP 10.10.x.x and iSCSI discovery IP of 172.31.x.x. I am able to add the DR nimble storage (using its management IP 10.10.x.x)to the DR Veeam B&R server. On the DR Veeam B&R server, I can see the DR nimble and the Volume1 on it. Under Volume1, I can see the snapshots replicated from the primary nimble. However, when I right-clicked on a snapshot, I don't see the option to restore Windows guest files or VM instant recovery.

What am I missing?

[rennerstefan]

Hi again,

what you describe is exactly the behavior if no proxy can access the data interfaces.
We use the management IP to call the API and get a list of volumes/luns and snapshots. So in your case we get it over the 10.10.x.x address and show it in the GUI. This is what you have right now.
But to get the content of the snapshots we have to look into them and scan them. Therefore we mount every snapshot to a proxy server an scan for the VMs on it. Only after that scan is done you will see the VMs and have the option to restore.
And that is what you are missing and why you don't see any VMs and you are not able to restore.

So as already mentioned only way to get it work is a proxy that is able to access 172.31.x.x interfaces.

I think I understand the secondary array is in a different location!?
As you are using iSCSI the easiest way to have it a installing a proxy VM on the secondary vSphere host with one NIC on the iSCSI network an one NIC on the management network (of course you would need a VMware host on the secondary site for it). If no host is available you can also use any physical server to create such a proxy.

Hope that helps to understand the process.

Let us know on questions.

Thanks

[DD2021]

Thanks Stefan.
I will work on this and report back.

[rennerstefan]

You may also want to have a look in the following guide:
https://www.veeam.com/wp-nimble-storage ... guide.html

It’s already couple of years old but the topic you have is still the same as back then.

[DD2021]

Hi Stefan,

I followed your instruction to add a network connection for the DR Veeam R&B server to the 172.31.x.x network. After that, the DR Veeam server can access the replicated snapshots. The windows guest file restore and instant vm recovery become available.
Veeam and Nimble integration seems to be working now.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

DD

[rennerstefan]

Hi
thanks for the update.
Glad it is working now.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to the forums again on any question.
Thanks