Best practices for Backup Exec 12.5 Remote Media Agent for Linux Servers

Best practices include tips and recommendations to help you use Symantec Backup Exec Remote Media Agent for Linux Servers (Remote Media Agent) effectively. For more information about the Remote Media Agent, see the Backup Exec for Windows Servers Administrator's Guide.

The following best practices help you use the Remote Media Agent effectively:

• Use the port number that is specified in the Linux server's \etc\services file when you add a Remote Media Agent in Backup Exec.

• Ensure the storage device that is attached to the Linux server is supported.

  You can find a list of compatible devices at the following URL:

  http://entsupport.symantec.com/umi/V-269-2

• Ensure a minimum of 501 MB of available storage space exists on your Linux server when you use the Tape Library Simulator Utility. The available space limit exists for both hard disks and flash drives.

• Add a Remote Media Agent from the central administration server if you use the Backup Exec Central Admin Server Option (CASO). You cannot add a Remote Media Agent from a managed media server.

• Use the Linux server's hostname and not its IP address when you add a Remote Media Agent if you use the Shared Storage Option. If you use the IP address, the Backup Exec database cannot distinguish which device path to use for jobs.

• Do not select a Remote Media Agent as the backup device if you want to back up the following database agents and application agents:

  • Agent for Microsoft SQL Server

  • Agent for Microsoft Exchange Server

  • Agent for Microsoft SharePoint

  • Agent for Lotus Domino Server

  • Active Directory Recovery Agent

  • Agent for VMware Virtual Infrastructure

  • Agent of Microsoft Virtual Server

  • Agent for Enterprise Vault

  The Remote Media Agent does not support the backup of Windows database agents or application agents.

• Use devices that are attached to the Backup Exec media server to restore data from the tapes that other applications created. The Remote Media Agent supports only Microsoft Tape Format (MTF) media.