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[Guide] Migration of a Tape Server from one to another.

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Andrew Mack
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  • Take notes of server hardware.
    1. Drivers for iSCSI, HBA Adapters, Tape Devices.
    2. Management Software (versions, installers).
    3. Disk Layout (mapped drives and space usage).
    4. Any Shares attached.
    5. Take notes of devices in Device Manager.
      1. Medium Changer devices.
      2. Storage Controllers.
        1. Driver Version/Date.
      3. Network Adapters.

 

  • Take notes of server features.
    1. Server Name
    2. Firewall settings
    3. NIC settings
      1. Which is on public/private domain?
    4. Programs installed
      1. Via Start Menu
      2. Via Programs and Features
    5. Storage System software
      1. Versions
      2. Types

 

 

  • Once image is completed.
    • Prior shutting down the server.
      • Perform the Exporting of the Tape drives.
        • Log into the Command Server.

**Always export tapes (using the “Library” tab) prior removing them from the library.**

Using the “Library” tab, export the tapes by right-clicking on one or more tapes, and selecting one of the following options.

  1. Offline Export – Use this to logically export a tape from the tape in the library (no mail slot, ready for removal).
  2. Mail Slot Export – Use this to export a tape to the mail slot for removal.
  • Select the “Off-site Location” (“Removed_From_Library” in this example) for the export:


Export_Tape.png  

If “Offline Export” is chosen, the cartridge will remain in the physical library slot unless physically removed. The tape will be listed as ‘Exported’ and will be located in the Offsite Location.

If “Mail Slot Export” is chosen, the cartridge will be placed into one of the “Mail Slot” as shown in the image below.


Mail_Slot_Export.png  

 Shutdown the tape server.

 

  • Go to the Tape Changer / Loader and follow steps to remove the bay with the drives that were exported. **NOTE: Every changer and loader have different settings.**
    1. Control > Management > Left or Right > Unlock
      1. This will unlock the bay and issue a request to pull the bay from the changer.

 

  • Reboot the server.
    1. Insert the Server OS to be freshly installed or upgraded.
      1. Boot straight to the Media / USB or DVD.
      2. Perform the steps for a fresh install.

 << OR >>

If performing an upgrade, the operating system needs to be loaded first from the original boot media.

    1. Log in as Local Administrator.
    2. Run the ‘Setup.exe’ from the bootable media.
      1. Follow the steps to perform an upgrade.
      2. When at “Get important updates”
        1. Select “Not Right Now”
        2. Click next.
      3. Enter the Product Key for the new OS.
      4. Select the image to be installed, example is the OS + the Desktop Experience.
      5. Select “Keep personal files and apps”.
      6. “What needs your attention”
        1. Follow any instructions there.
      7. Click Install.

 

 

  • After the Upgrade has been performed.
    1. Reboot the system to verify the upgrade completed.
    2. Log in as local administrator.
    3. Verify all the drivers are not showing warnings within the Device Manager.
      1. When in Device Manager.
        1. Go to Media Changer devices.
        2. If it shows any Branded devices.
          1. Update the driver.
          2. Select “Browse my computer for driver software”
            1. Use the Generic Device Driver
            2. Select, “Unknown Medium Changer”

**Any OEM Drivers will NOT work.**

Steps to change the Drivers:

image-63.jpeg

 

To install the correct driver, right-click on the Medium Changer and select "Properties", then select the "Driver" tab and click the "Update Driver" button:

 

image-64.jpeg

 

In the "Update Driver Software" dialog box, select "Browse my computer for driver software":

 

image-65.jpeg

 

 Click on "Let me pick from a list of drivers on my computer":

 

image-66.jpeg

 

Select "Unknown Medium Changer" and click "Next":

 

image-67.jpeg

 

The system is now ready for the library to be configured in NovaStor.

 

image-68.jpeg

 

 

 

  • Go to >  C:\Program Files
    1. Make a Zipped copy version of the NovaStor folder.

 

  • Uninstall NovaStor DataCenter from the server.

 

  • Reinstall the client onto the server that has been upgraded.
  1. Open an explorer window
    1. Go to the main commander server location
    2. \\<cmdsrv>\c$
      1. \Program Files\NovaStor\DataCenter\sw-depot
        1. Choose the OS the client is to be installed
        2. Windows x64 > Client
        3. Copy the client executable to the server that was upgraded.
      2. Run the client installer and follow the steps to install.
        1. Be sure to enter the name of the command server within the steps to install.

 

  • Unzip the library files from the “Zipped NovaStor” Directory to the New Directory.
    1. First go to services and STOP the current NBK DC services.
    2. Select the new NovaStor directory and Zip it as as “NovaStor_Old_Original”.
    3. Then take the previous zipped “NovaStor – Copy” and unzip it to “NovaStor”.
    4. Restart any NBK DC Service.

 

 

 

  • Upon reinstalling NovaStor DataCenter, if the services do not correctly install (rarely ever happens), you may need to manually install the services.
    1. Launch an elevated command prompt (Administrator).
      • Go to > C:\Program Files\NovaStor\DataCenter\Hiback
        1. Type the following command:

 

hijacc.exe -c “C:\Program Files\NovaStor\DataCenter\Hiback\tape”

 

  • Go to > C:\Program Files\NovaStor\DataCenter\Hiback
    1. Type the following command:

 

hiserv.exe -c “C:\Program Files\NovaStor\DataCenter\Hiback”

 

  • Go to > C:\Program Files\NovaStor\DataCenter\Hiback\tape

 

mpx.exe -c “C:\Program Files\NovaStor\DataCenter\Hiback\tape”

 

  • Rename the services that were added to the services with “NBK DC <…>”.
    1. Open an elevated Command Prompt.
      1. Type the following
        1. sc config “hijacc” displayname= “NBK DC Hijacc Service”
        2. sc config “hiserv” displayname= “NBK DC Hiserv Service”

***NOTE:  Make sure you have a space between the = and the new name:

                                    Ex:  displayname= “New Name”,  NOT  displayname=”New Name”***

 

  • Once the server back online.
    1. Login as Local Administrator or as Domain account with Admin privileges.
      1. Go to Services.
        1. Stop the NBK DC Services
        2. Set NBK DC Backup Servicer & Remote Command Executor to logon as the local administrator or domain administrator that already exists.
        3. Restart those services.

 

  •  Log onto the Command Server.
    • Go to > Node Management
      • Select the Tape Server and ‘Right Click’ to Sync the node.
        • Verify the Versions of the OS and components to make sure they match the new system that the DC was installed on to replace the original system.
        • Right click >  Select Edit.
          • Verify Backup Server is selected: [X]
          • Click Service Account and click Edit.
            • Type in the information for Local Administrator.
    • Go to >  Storage Management
      1. Go to >  Backup Servers
        1. Verify the tape server is listed and all the devices are listed.
          1. If the tapes are showing inaccessible.

 

**NOTE:  To locate the current name ID of the, open an elevated command prompt.**

  • Go to > C:\Program Files\NovaStor\DataCenter\Hiback\tape
    • Type the following
      • hiscsi -scan

 hiscsi_scan.png

  

  • Type the following for the tapes within the changer / loader:
    • hiscsi -stat <Changer Name ID>


hiscsi_stat.png  

 

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