Backup shared FS?

[gormank]

Hi,
I see for backups, it demands a shared FS accessible to all NLSs in the cluster. As in NFS?
Mounting a volume writable by multiple hosts tends to break the FS, so can you clarify how this should be set up?

Thanks and sorry for the stream of ignorant questions...

[avandemore]

A standard NFS mounted by all members at the same location should be sufficient. Only 1 node would write a backup at a time.

Our documentation expects that share to be dedicated to NLS and NLS only.

[gormank]

Any rough guess for how much storage to allocate?

Right now we're looking a t ~125 hosts, 1.5T of storage dedicated to each of 2 NLS hosts and keeping log info on the NLS hosts for 30 days. Since none of the hosts exist, there's no way to measure the amount of log data we'll get. That said, once built the systems should be pretty static, few users logging in, and pretty basic log collection.

A dedicated share isn't a problem, but the host may do other things, or maybe not.

Thanks

[gormank]

Is the backup necessary if we use Netbackup for example, or will the Netbackup be unrecoverable?

[avandemore]

Is your storage thin provisioned? If so, I'd just make a big share eg 100GB. Most NAS/SAN's allow for dynamic resizing as well and some FS's allow for live FS growth.

The only way to get a good estimate is too be looking at some real life usage. Actually XI Capacity Planner can watch growth and notify if it's getting too close.

[gormank]

We thick provision. If 100G is big, that shouldn't be a problem.
It just seems awkward and old fashioned to use NFS.
Did you notice the Netbackup Q?

Thanks

[avandemore]

You can use the shared FS you like from NFS v2, v3, v4, v4.1 etc or CIFS or whatever. I personally find NFS unbeatable when configured correctly. NFS on ZFS FTW.

[gormank]

3rd query on this:
Still waiting for a response to the netbackup question.

[avandemore]

We don't use Netbackup. Please contact that vendor for support. All NLS does is depend on a shared FS accessible by all nodes in the cluster as noted. You can fulfill that requirement as needed.

[gormank]

Thanks for the BS answer. The vendor will simply point me back to you since its backing up the NLS DB. I suggest you provide a real answer, or find someone who can.
This user's support model of ignoring, and deflecting questions is not satisfying to anyone.