DELL NETWORKER

CONCEPTS

Dell NetWorker Concepts

© Copyright 2024 Dell Inc Page 2

Table of Contents

Dell NetWorker Concepts 4

Explore NetWorker Benefits 5

NetWorker-Based Data Protection 5
NetWorker Components 6
Backup Media 8
NetWorker Backup Features 10
Build a NetWorker Environment 12

Explore NetWorker Architecture 14

NetWorker Administrative Interfaces 14
NetWorker Management Console 17
Explore NetWorker Interfaces - Simulation Activity 19
Cloud Support 19
Environment Support 21
NetWorker Modules 22

Glossary 25

Appendix 25

Dell NetWorker Concepts

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Explore NetWorker Benefits

Dell NetWorker Concepts

Dell NetWorker Concepts

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Explore NetWorker Benefits

Explore NetWorker Benefits

NetWorker-Based Data Protection

Dell NetWorker protects enterprises against data loss using backup and
restore capabilities.

NetWorker provides tremendous flexibility, strong integration capabilities,

and can scale to meet the needs of environments of all sizes.

Reasons to Use NetWorker

NetWorker provides fast, secure, and granular disaster recovery to ensure

that required service levels are met and helps keep the business running:

• NetWorker provides application modules for fast, online, automated,

and reliable backup and recovery of the database, messaging, content,
and enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications.
• NetWorker enables centralized control of traditional and deduplicated
backups along with cloud data protection using web-enabled UI.
• Integration with PowerProtect DD series appliance deduplication helps
NetWorker reduce the amount of disk storage that is required to retain
and protect data without adding administrative complexity.
• NetWorker is a cross-platform, client/server application that enables
remote management of all NetWorker servers from a web-enabled
user interface (UI).
• NetWorker provides the same enterprise-level user experience
whether data is residing within the data center or on the public cloud.
• When integrated with CloudBoost and Dell Cloud Tier, NetWorker
delivers highly efficient and secure long-term retention of backups in
leading private, public, and hybrid cloud offerings.

NetWorker provides support for the backup and recovery of virtual clients
with guest-level backups. NetWorker supports image-level and change-
block tracking backups for VMware. It also supports block-based backups
and resilient change tracking for Microsoft Hyper-V.

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Explore NetWorker Benefits

Comprehensive Data Protection

NetWorker centralizes, automates, and accelerates data protection

operations:

• NetWorker provides network-and snapshot-based backup protection

that functions in LAN, WAN, and SAN environments on open-systems
protocols including TCP/IP, Network Data Management Protocol
(NDMP), and NFS, FC, and CIFS.
• Administrators can install the NetWorker server on a Windows server,
or Linux server, as a virtual appliance, or as a component of the Dell
Data Protection Suite1.
• NetWorker provides data protection solutions across the cloud and
critical business applications.

Go to: The E-Lab Navigator provides a complete listing of

the operating systems and applications that NetWorker
supports for data protection.

NetWorker Components

1Dell Data Protection Suite provides a complete suite of data protection

software options. These software options include NetWorker,
PowerProtect Data Manager, Avamar, and RecoverPoint for Virtual
Machines.

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Explore NetWorker Benefits

The NetWorker environment consists of several components, each with

specific roles:

• NetWorker Server
− The NetWorker server coordinates the entire backup and recovery
process and tracks the metadata. The NetWorker server is in the
primary data center.
• NetWorker Storage Node
− The NetWorker storage node connects to storage devices and
reads and writes data.
• Client
− A NetWorker client is a physical or virtual system on which the
NetWorker client software is installed. The NetWorker client can be
any system in a datazone that contains data to backup. Clients are
configured to backup to either a storage node or to the backup
devices directly using Client Direct.
• Backup Target
− Backup targets are storage devices that NetWorker uses to store
data. Common backup targets are PowerProtect DD systems using
DD Boost or advanced file type devices (AFTDs), tape libraries, or
virtual tape libraries.
• Datazone
− One NetWorker server, the NetWorker clients, and storage nodes
make up a datazone.
• Disaster Recovery Site

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Explore NetWorker Benefits

− The disaster recovery site is separate from the primary data center
to protect against data loss. The disaster recovery site hosts a
remote NetWorker storage node and remote storage devices.
Replication is configured to replicate data between local and
remote data centers when using PowerProtect DD systems. A tape
library can also be configured at the remote site for cloning data to
tape for long-term retention.

Backup Media

NetWorker supports the following traditional and modern target storage

technologies:

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Explore NetWorker Benefits

Backup Media Definition

Tape Tapes include tape drives and tape cartridges. Tape

can be either physical or virtual.

Advanced file Advanced file type devices (AFTDs) are existing file
type device system directories2 that are configured in NetWorker as
(AFTD) a backup to disk resources. Once the device resource
is configured, NetWorker uses the directory as a
backup volume.

PowerProtect PowerProtect DD series appliances for NetWorker are

DD Series configured using DD Boost devices on a PowerProtect
Appliance DD system. The DD Boost option must be licensed and
enabled on the PowerProtect DD before creating a
Data Domain device in NetWorker.

Network A NAS device in NetWorker is used to create

Attached snapshots on Network Attached Storage appliances
Storage (NAS) like Dell Unity.

Important: Data Domain is now PowerProtect DD series

appliances. References to Data Domain in the course,
NetWorker documentation, and the UI include PowerProtect
DD systems and earlier Data Domain systems.

2 AFTDs are how NetWorker supports CIFS and NFS as backup targets.

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Explore NetWorker Benefits

NetWorker Backup Features

Client Direct Backups

• With Client Direct, data bypasses the storage node. The storage node
is still used to monitor devices and collect metadata for the NetWorker
server.
• Client Direct reduces bandwidth3 usage, as the backup data travels
directly from the client to the storage device.
− Client Direct allows for the client to backup directly to disk-based
devices such as AFTDs or PowerProtect DD.
• By default, the Client Direct feature is enabled for a client. Client Direct
clients require access to a NetWorker-managed CIFS or NFS network
share.

3 DD Boost reduces the bandwidth by discarding duplicate data at the

client before it is sent over the network.

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Explore NetWorker Benefits

− Client Direct clients require an Ethernet or Fibre Channel path or

network connection to the storage devices such as CIFS, NFS, or
DD Boost.

Deduplication Backups

• NetWorker supports deduplication by integrating with PowerProtect DD

series appliances. Storing backup data on deduplication devices
reduces the amount of storage capacity that is required for backups.
• Administrators can integrate PowerProtect DD with NetWorker as a
destination disk-to-disk storage device with deduplication. The
NetWorker client contains DD Boost software, enabling NetWorker
clients to back up their data directly to a NetWorker-managed
PowerProtect DD device.
− DD Boost can increase backup performance by performing the
deduplication process on the backup client, reducing the amount of
data traveling over the network.
• The deduplication processing occurs on the client with DD Boost
backups using Client Direct.

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Explore NetWorker Benefits

Block Based Backups

• NetWorker block based backups (BBB) are block-by-block backups of

used blocks in a file system backup that is supported on Windows and
Linux.
− Block based backups use Client Direct and support only AFTD and
PowerProtect DD as target devices.
• During BBB, the backup application scans a volume or a disk in a file
system and backs up all the blocks that are in use or the blocks that
have changed since the last backup.
• Block-level incremental backups are supported, and BBB is used for
applications such as Exchange and Hyper-V.

Build a NetWorker Environment

1. A customer is implementing a NetWorker environment for data

protection. The environment has a disaster recovery site. The
customer wants to use deduplicated backup and long-term retention to
tape.

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Explore NetWorker Benefits

Assign the NetWorker component to its corresponding number in the

diagram of the NetWorker environment of the customer.

2 NetWorker server
4 Primary storage node
7 Disaster recovery site
6 PowerProtect DD
3 NetWorker client
8 Disaster recovery storage node
1 Primary data center
5 Data
9 Tape library

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Explore NetWorker Architecture

NetWorker Administrative Interfaces

Dell NetWorker provides administrative interfaces, including UI and

command-line to manage, to configure, and to monitor the NetWorker
server.

NetWorker Management Console

NetWorker Management Console (NMC) provides a global view of all

NetWorker servers that are involved in a backup environment.

NMC also provides the capability to configure, administer, and monitor the
NetWorker datazone.

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NetWorker Management Web User Interface

The NetWorker Management Web User Interface (NWUI) is a web-based

management interface.

The NWUI supports NetWorker administration operations and monitoring

of the NetWorker data zone.

NetWorker Character-Based Interface

NetWorker character-based interface (nsradmin) is a command-line

utility that is used to view, create, delete, and modify resources.

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NetWorker resources are any component of the NetWorker environment
the requires administration. Such resources can include clients or
PowerProtect DD series appliances. Each resource has attributes such as
type, name, server, and group.

Command-Line Monitoring Tool

The NetWorker command-line monitoring tool is nsrwatch.

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The nsrwatch tool provides details about current device operations,
active sessions, messages concerning recent activity, and any pending
messages4.

NetWorker Management Console

NetWorker Management Console (NMC) provides centralized event and

reporting capabilities. NMC enables access to each managed NetWorker
server in an environment for administration functions. These functions
include configuring clients, devices, and other resources.

The default user account for NetWorker after installation is the

administrator. This grants full access to set up user groups and
permissions.

The Launch NetWorker Administration option in NMC provides access

to the NetWorker Administration interface to configure the NetWorker
servers.

NetWorker Administration can administer NetWorker from any host that

has a supported web browser5.

4 Messages are either general information or items that require

administrator intervention. Messages may also include mount requests or
general notifications.
5 NetWorker supported web browsers are Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome,

Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Microsoft Internet Explorer 11.

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NetWorker Web User Interface is accessed through a supported browser
inputting proper credentials in https://servername:9090/nwui and
launching the web page or using the Launch NetWorker Web UI (NWUI)
option in the NMC window.

NWUI enables NetWorker management functions similar to NMC. The

administrator can also schedule, run, and monitor backups in NWUI.

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Explore NetWorker Interfaces - Simulation Activity

The Online Course Contains an Interaction Here.

Go to the Appendix for a visual reference.

Cloud Support

With cloud capabilities, NetWorker offers backup in the cloud, backup from
on-premises to the cloud, and long-term retention to the cloud. NetWorker
Virtual Edition (NVE) offers simple deployment in Amazon Web Services
(AWS) and Microsoft Azure by taking advantage of native cloud formats.

Installing a NetWorker server or datazone in the cloud enables backup of

the client, client data, and applications or containers that are also in that
cloud.

NetWorker Cloud Support

Use backup in the cloud for scenarios when applications are running in a
public cloud and require object storage protection. NVE with PowerProtect
DD Virtual Edition offers an effective data protection solution, providing
scalable protection to support large workloads.

NetWorker supports public, private, and hybrid cloud environments.

Support for Azure Stack

Use backup in Azure Stack for scenarios when data protection with simple
deployment and management is required. NVE in Azure Stack supports

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the backup of guest-level file systems and applications in a consistent
state.

• Tenant VM protection
− Primary backup and restore on-premises
− Cold storage either on-premises, or with a cloud service provider
• Admin layer protection

− Azure Stack service data and tenant or app metadata that is

backed up to SMB3 share

Long-Term Retention to the Cloud

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For Long-Term Retention to the Cloud, the NetWorker Administrator
configures data movement directly over the NetWorker data zone. Data is
tiered to the public, private, or hybrid cloud for long-term retention.
Orchestration occurs directly within the NetWorker UI.

NetWorker schedules data movement to the cloud and tracks data being
copied to the cloud by PowerProtect DD for easy recall.

Environment Support

It is possible to deploy the NetWorker datazone components in various

configurations to accomplish data protection.

The operating systems that support each respective NetWorker

component:

NetWorker NMC NWUI NetWorker NetWorker

Server Storage Client
Node

Linux Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Microsoft Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Windows

UNIX No No No Yes Yes

Go to: The E-Lab Navigator provides the most up-to-date

information about compatibility.

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NetWorker Modules

NetWorker Modules provide a comprehensive data protection solution for

databases, messaging content, and enterprise software. NetWorker
Modules are optional software that offers additional protection for the
respective application.

NetWorker modules consist of NetWorker Module for Microsoft (NMM),

NetWorker Module for Databases and Applications (NMDA), NetWorker
Module for SAP (NMSAP), and NetWorker Module for MEDITECH
(NMMEDI).

Features

The following table provides more information about the features that
NetWorker Modules provide:

Feature Description

Online NetWorker application modules integrate with vendor-

Application specific APIs and enable applications to be backed up
Backups in an open and consistent state. Users can access the
applications during backups.

NetWorker NetWorker application modules use snapshot

Snapshot technology for backups and recoveries of supported
Management databases and applications. NetWorker application
(NSM) modules build on the core NetWorker infrastructure to
provide automated, online protection and granular
recovery for popular databases, messaging content,
and ERP applications.

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Centralized Backups are performed locally or over the network
Management through a centralized NetWorker server or storage
node or using the NetWorker Client Direct feature. Both
database and file system backups are integrated with
NetWorker and NetWorker Modules.

Deduplicated NetWorker delivers additional application protection

Backup advantages with deduplication by integrating with
PowerProtect DD. Integration with PowerProtect DD
provides efficient and cost-effective protection of
applications in remote offices, virtual environments,
and cloud environments, as well as data center LANs.

Backups

The two methods for performing application backups are offline backups
and online backups. They are categorized based on the state of the
application when the backup is performed.

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• Offline Backups
− In an offline or cold backup, the application is not active during the
backup process.
− A cold backup requires shutting down the application to back up its
data. The application is restarted after the backup completes.
− Without using NetWorker Modules, NetWorker can back up closed
applications with traditional, file system backups.
• Online Backups

− In a hot or online backup, the application is running and open

during the backup process with users accessing the data without
any interruptions.
− A primary concern with online backup is backing up open files.
− Most backup applications offer various backup agents to perform
these operations. Online backups are preferred for business
continuity.

Deep Dive: For further details about NetWorker Modules,

go to the Dell Support website, and see the Dell NetWorker
Module for Microsoft Administration Guide, Dell NetWorker
Module for Databases and Applications Administration
Guide, Dell NetWorker Module for SAP Administration
Guide, and Dell NetWorker Module for MediTech Installation
and Administration Guide.

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Glossary
Client Direct
Client Direct is a NetWorker backup method. Client Direct enables clients
to communicate directly with backup devices, bypassing the storage node.

Deduplication
Deduplication is the process of eliminating duplicate copies of repeating
data.

Appendix

1.1 Introduction

Dell NetWorker Concepts

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1.2 Instructions

1.3 Double-Click NMC Launcher

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1.4 Connect

1.5 Type Student1! and click Log in

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1.6 Click nw.dellemc.edu

1.7 Launch NetWorker Administration

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1.8 Click Devices

1.9 Click Media

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1.10 Click Hosts

1.11 Click Server

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1.12 Launch NWUI

1.13 Login to NWUI

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1.14 Click Alerts

1.15 Click Monitoring

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1.16 Click Devices

1.17 Click Protection

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1.18 Click Clients

1.19 Click Devices and Media

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1.20 Click Data Domain Systems

1.21 Click Server

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1.22 Click Notifications

1.23 Click Authentication Server

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1.24 Click Groups

1.25 Review Groups

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1.26 End of simulation

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