About Remote Proactive DPAD (Data Protection and Availability Division) team:

Remote Proactive DPAD team is providing the upgrades, preparation for upgrade, and maintenance for Avamar and Data Domain products.

Since Avamar backup software suitable for several clients, we will test the compatibility between the clients before the upgrading. And then, ensure that the upgrade will not affect backup and normal operation. The earlier, ESA (EMC Security Advisory) stated that all Data Domain customers need to upgrade to 5.5.0.8, but please check for compatibility, before upgrading (or contact us to arrange a pre-check). Currently, only Avamar 7.1.0-370 and 7.1.1-141 can supports Data Domain 5.5.x.

Avamar and Data Domain deduplication storage systems are the core of the EMC deduplication solution.

EMC Avamar deduplication backup software and system performs variable-length deduplication at the client, so backup data is reduced before moving across crowded networks (LAN or WAN). Avamar identifies duplicate data segments and sends only unique segments across the network to the purpose-built backup appliance. This means shorter backup windows, less backup storage consumed, and maximum leverage of available bandwidth.

EMC Data Domain deduplication storage systems deduplicatedata inline - during the backup and archive process - so that data lands on disk already deduplicated, requiring a fraction of the disk space of the original dataset. Backup and archive data can be retained onsite longer for fast, reliable restores from disk. IT organizations can leverage the existing backup infrastructure to accommodate complementary archive workloads by simply adding expansion storage, thereby consolidating backup and archive data on the same system for a cost-effective solution. Backup and archive data can then be replicated offsite faster with minimal bandwidth for safe, tape-free disaster recovery.

The following services are currently offered:

Avamar:

·         Version upgrade (the latest version 7.1.1-141 has been officially released)

·         MCS patch

·         GSAN patch

·         OS security patch

·         Dell hardware patch

·         FCO/TSE

·         Pre-check before upgrading

·         NDMP accelerator node upgrading

Avamar Extended Retention:

·         Version upgrade (upgrade with external Avamar server to ensure the compatibility)

Data Domain:

·         FCO/TSE

Avamar version upgrades process:

·         On the day of upgrade, the engineer will send an email with the link to a WebEx remote session to the customer and wait the forcustomer to join.

·         When the customer joins, the engineer will do a health check to ensure that the Avamar server is ready for an upgrade.

·         Maintenance window and backup will be turned off during the upgrade. A new checkpoint will be setup to ensure that there is no data loss if rolled back.

·         When all the preparation is done, the upgrade will officially start. The upgrade process will takes almost 4 to 6 hours; the detailed time will depend on the number of Avamar nodes and the data volume.

·         Key processes, such as GSAN, MCS, EMS will be restarted during the upgrade.

·         When the upgrade is over, the engineer will do another health check (such as perform a backup test) to ensure that the server is up and running normally.

We will regularly update upgrade-related issues at the forum. You are welcome to give us your valuable comments or suggestions.

Author: Leo Li