Monthly Archives: October 2016

Migrate Symantec Backup Exec 2015 14.2 to new server with a DIFFERENT name

I have used this procedure to successfully migrate an installation of BUE 2015 ver. 14.2 to a new server, with a different machine name.  If you are moving things from the old machine to the new machine and they both have the same names, see my post here and use that instead.

I used this procedure for a client who was ONLY using local disk based backups, but this will also work for tape/other device backups as well.

First, download this document.  It contains most of the steps, with the additions/changes below.

Using the PDF document from above:

  1. Setup the new server.  Patch it up to date through Windows updates.  Join it to the domain.  Make sure the machine name is correct (what you want it to be going forward)
  2. Install BUE onto the new server.
    1. This is SECTION 3 of the PDF, “Install Backup Exec on the Destination Computer”
  3. Make sure both the old BUE server and the new BUE server have the exact same
    1. Software version, BUE 2015 / 14.2 (etc.)
    2. Patches.
      1. Run live update on both machines and make 100% sure both have the same version and hotfixes
  4. Perform step #1 in the PDF, “Obtain information about the current Backup Exec installation”
  5. Perform step #2 in the PDF, “Move Backup Exec data to a temporary location”
    1. Note:  it’s up to you if you want to copy directly from the old server to the new server.  I directly copied things over the lan from the old machine to the new machine and left the old machine intact.
  6. Skip step #3 (already done above)
  7. Start step #4 “Move Backup Exec data from temporary location to the destination…”  NOTE:  Stop after 4.3.  Do not proceed yet.
    1. Complete steps 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3
  8. In our case, this client was using a disk based backup strategy.  At this point, we shut down the old server, shut down the new server, and installed the 3tb hard drive from the old server into the new server.
    1. we also made sure the DRIVE LETTER was the same on the new server for this drive as it was on the old server (after startup)
  9. On the new server, go to the BUE path:
    1. C:\Program Files\Symantec\Backup Exec\Catalogs
    2. You will see the copied over files from your old server.
    3. You need to make a COPY of the folder name from your old server and copy that folder (and contents) into the same “Catalogs” directory, but renamed for the new BUE server name.
      1. For example, if your catalogs folder contains a folder BACKUPSERVER1 (and within that folder are many files), create a new folder named for the NEW server name (whatever that is) and copy all the FILES and FOLDERS from within the BACKUPSERVER1 folder, to the new folder.
      2. You will now have to folders now, one named for the old machine and one for the new machine, each with identical contents
  10. On the new server, do this procedure:
    open a command prompt as administrator and enter the following pressing the ENTER key after each line:
    
    osql -E -S .\BKUPEXEC
    
    1>use bedb
    
    2>go
    
    1>SELECT partitionname FROM datapartition
    
    2>go
    
    *At this point, the old server-name should be listed
    
    1>UPDATE DataPartition SET PartitionName="new-server-name" WHERE PartitionID =0
    
    2>Go
    
    * # of rows affected should be listed To verify the change took place; run the original commands:
    
    1>SELECT partitionname FROM datapartition
    
    2>Go
    
    *At this point the new server-name should be listed
  11. At this point, RESTART the new server
  12. When it boots back up, login and launch BUE
  13. if all went well you should be ready to go.

Migrate Symantec Backup Exec 2015 14.2 to new server with same name

The process of moving BUE 2015/14.2 to a new server with the exact same name as the old server is pretty straightforward (but very long).

The entire procedure is in this PDF which I have tried and it works fine.

If you are moving to a new server with a different name, please use this post instead.

Notes:

  1. Setup the new server.  Install the same version of BUE, and run all LIVEUPDATES –on both the old and new servers.  Verify that both servers are on the exact same version and updates.
  2. follow the PDF as is
  3. Note:  Before step 4 in the PDF, if you are moving hardware, like a tape storage unit, disk based backups (to a local drive on the old server, etc.), you need to install that hardware prior to step 4.
    1. in our case we were moving a 3tb hard drive of disk based backups.  Prior to step 4, we shutdown both servers.  Removed the hard drive from the old server, moved it to the new server.  Started up the new server and made sure the drive letter for the drive was the SAME as on the old server.
    2. If you are using other hardware, you need to go ahead an install that onto the new server prior to completing step 4.
  4. If all goes well you should be fine.

 

Solution for Windows cross-subnet browsing issue in mid-2016

**NOTE: as of 12/2017 and the Fall Creator’s Update builds 1709 and later, Microsoft has again broken the functionality of the “Network” (Network Neighborhood) item inside Windows Explorer.  You will probably need to do both add the registry key below, as well as follow the directions in my new post, here.

=========

Hello all-

this is a follow-up to my original post in which I discussed how to setup cross-subnet browsing so that all computers come up in “Network” or “Network Neighborhood”.

For the last few months, my “Network” browse list has disappeared and would ONLY show computers from my LAN subnet.  My remote (VPN-to-VPN) network subnet disappeared from my “Network” computer list.

After >>MUCH<< research I have found the problem and will present the solution.

The problem is due to the Microsoft Windows Update (for both desktop and server OS’s) KB3161949  (read about it here).

Part of the effect of this update was to “harden” the NETBIOS service and prevent NETBIOS data from being sent between subnets.

 

THE SOLUTION:

Two ways of handling this.

  1. You can remove this specific hotfix
  2. You can add a registry setting to override it.

(YOUR CHOICE)

To REMOVE the hotfix:

On SERVERS:  Go to Control Panel, Uninstall a program, View Installed Updates… Remove 3161949.  You’ll need to reboot.  After rebooting, go check for windows updates again (MANUALLY)  3161949 will pop up.  Right click and HIDE UPDATE.

On Desktops:  Same process as above – HOWEVER – Depending on which version of windows, which OS Rollup you are on, 3161949 might not show up.  If you cannot remove 3161949, simply add the registry key below.

–OPTIONAL METHOD–

Involves a registry key addition, then you need to reboot the machine.

SUBKEY: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NetBT\Parameters
Value Name: AllowNBToInternet
Type: Dword
Value: 1

 

** REMEMBER TO REBOOT after you do either the uninstall or registry key.

** It will take 5-60 minutes for the Network browse lists to refresh

*** MOST IMPORTANT ***

You MUST do this on your domain servers (Master Browsers) on each side of the subnet.  For example, I have for domain servers, two on each side.  I did this procedure on both, then rebooted all four domain servers.

Then I did this on my Windows 10 Pro workstation (via registry key) and rebooted.

When I checked my computer 30 minutes later, all machines were showing up in the browse list under “Network” in Windows 10.

** ADDITIONAL NOTE:  Just for the heck of it, you might as while put that registry key onto all your domain servers.  Even though I had uninstalled 3161949 from all 4 of my domain servers (and hidden that update), one of my DC’s re-applied that patch and rebooted, thereby messing up my Network list again.  So I just went and put that reg key onto all 4 DC’s just in case they get that update somehow in the future.

** NOTE: Do this at your own risk.  I’m not responsible for your network security.  You have to make the decision on what’s more important to you here.  Being able to see the entire cross-subnet network, or security.  I can’t speak as to how this increases or decreases your security risk.

Let me know if any questions…