NetBackup for NDMP - Architecture Overview.

By | August 24, 2015

This post covers overview of NetBackup for Network Data Management Protocol (NDMP). NDMP allows to initiate and control backups and restores of Network Attached Storage (NAS) systems.

NDMP architecture follows the client and server model:

  • The NetBackup master or media server where NetBackup for NDMP is installed is called a NetBackup for NDMP server.
  • The host where the NDMP server application resides is called an NDMP host.
  • The NetBackup software is a client of the NDMP server application. NetBackup for NDMP lets NetBackup act as an NDMP client. The NDMP hosts, on the other hand, act as NetBackup clients.

NetBackup supports the following types of NDMP backups:

  • NDMP local backup
  • NDMP three-way backup
  • Remote NDMP

NDMP local backup

In NDMP local backup, the NetBackup for NDMP server initiates the backup. The data travels from the NDMP host’s disk to a storage device that is attached to the same host or is available on a SAN. The NetBackup drives must be in NDMP storage units.NetBackup for NDMP - Architecture Overview - Local NDMP

NDMP three-way backup

In NDMP three-way backup, the data travels over the network by going from an NDMP host to a storage device that is attached to another NDMP host on the local network or is available on a SAN. The NetBackup drives must be in NDMP storage units.

NetBackup for NDMP - Architecture Overview - Three-way NDMP

Remote NDMP

In Remote NDMP, the data travels over the network by going from an NDMP host to a Media Manager-type storage device that is attached to a NetBackup media server or is available on the SAN. The NetBackup drives must be in Media Manager storage units not in NDMP storage units.

NetBackup for NDMP - Architecture Overview - Remote NDMP

NDMP is supported by many storage vendors such NetApp, EMC, HP or IBM. To configure NDMP for specific storage please follow guide here.

Author: Mariusz

Architect (~ 15 years experience based on passion...) with strong background as a System Administrator and Engineer. Focused on Data Center Solutions: Virtualization/Cloud Computing and Storage/Backup Systems. Currently living in Poland.