Install the CommServe - Clustered Environment - Virtual Server

Click on a link below to go to a specific section of the software installation:

Install Requirements
The CommServe can be installed from the active node to the virtual server using the following procedure. The software can also be automatically installed on all available passive nodes when the software is installed onto the virtual server, or you can choose to install any passive node(s) separately. Note that in the clustered environment the CommServe software cannot be installed on the physical node of a cluster.

When installing the CommCell® components, you always install the CommServe® software first. The CommServe Server communicates with all clients and MediaAgents and coordinates operations (backups, restores, copies, migration, media management, etc.) within a CommCell.

In a clustered environment, Microsoft SQL Server 2005 (Enterprise Edition) with the appropriate service pack must be installed and clustered prior to installing the CommServe software. The CommServe software automatically uses the default or the named instance created during the SQL installation.

For more information, see Pre-Installing SQL Database for CommServe - Clustered Environment - Virtual Server.

Verify that all of the computers to which software will be installed satisfy the minimum requirements specified in System Requirements - CommServe for a cluster.

For an overview of deploying the software components in a clustered environment, see Clustering Support.

If you choose to install additional components simultaneously, refer to the appropriate procedures for installation requirements and steps specific to the component. Note that when you install multiple components, the sequence of the install steps may vary.

Review the following Install Requirements before installing the software:

General

  • Do not install the CommServe® software on a compressed drive.
  • Close all applications and disable any programs that run automatically, including anti-virus, screen savers and operating system utilities. Some of the programs, including many anti-virus programs, may be running as a service. Stop and disable such services before you begin. You can re-enable them after the installation.
  • Do not install the CommServe® on a computer that has Microsoft Exchange Server or an Oracle database.
  • Verify that you have the software installation disc that is appropriate to the destination computer’s operating system.
    Make sure that you have the latest software installation disc before you start to install the software. If you are not sure, contact your software provider.

Firewall

  • If the CommServe® Server, MediaAgent and/or Clients communicate across two-way firewall(s):
    • Ensure port 8400 is allowed connections through the firewall.
    • In addition a range of bi-directional ports (consecutive or discrete) must also be allowed connections through the firewall.

     For information on configuring the range of ports, see Port Requirements for Two-way Firewall.

  • If the CommServe Server, MediaAgent and/or Clients communicate across one-way firewall(s):
    • Identify a range of outbound ports (consecutive or discrete) for use by the software.

     For information on configuring the range of ports, see Port Requirements for One-way Firewall.

Network

  • If your CommServe® computer has multiple Network Interface Cards and IP addresses, make certain that all network communication paths are working. Also, make sure that the network interface to be used in the CommServe installation is set as the first one to be bound to the network. For more information on Network Interface Cards, see the Network Requirements.

Cluster

  • SQL Server cannot be installed on a Cluster Quorum disk.
  • Check the following on the cluster computer in which you wish to install the software:
    • Cluster software is installed and running.
    • Active and passive nodes are available.
    • Disk array devices configured with access to the shared array.
    • Public Network Interface Card is bound first, before the private Network Interface Card. (Does not apply to NetWare Cluster.)

Install Checklist
Collect the following information before installing the software. Use the space provided to record the information, and retain this information in your Disaster Recovery binder.
1. Name of the disk group in which the virtual server resides ____________________________________

See Cluster Selection for more information.
2. Install folder location:________________________________________________________________

See Select Components for Installation for more information.
3. Database Destination folder location:_______________________________________________

See Configuration of Other Installation Options for more information.
4. CommServe Host Name or the CommServe IP address:______________________________________

See Configuration of Other Installation Options for more information.
5. CommServe Disaster Recovery path:_______________________________________________

See Configuration of Other Installation Options for more information.
6. If the CommServe Server and the client computer communicate across a firewall:

Firewall ports: ______________________________________________________________________

Hostnames and/or IP Addresses and corresponding GxCVD port numbers of computers on the other side of the firewall:______________

Keep Alive Interval minutes:____________________________________________________________

Hostname for outgoing tunnel connections:_________________________________________________

Tunnel Initialization Interval seconds:_____________________________________________________

See Firewall Configuration for more information.
7. Media Password:_______________________________________________________________________

See Set User Names and Passwords for more information.
8. Web URL:____________________________________________________________________________

See Configure the CommCell® Console for Web-Based Administration for more information.
9. Time and frequency for FTP download of Automatic Updates:___________________________________

Time and frequency for Install of Automatic Updates:_________________________________________

See Schedule Automatic Update for more information.

Before You Begin
  • Log on to the active node as the Domain User with administrative privileges to all nodes on the cluster.

Install Procedure

Getting Started
1. Place the software installation disc for the Windows platform into the disc drive.

After a few seconds, the installation program is launched.

If the installation program does not launch automatically:

  • Click the Start button on the Windows task bar, and then click Run.
  • Browse to the installation disc drive, select Setup.exe, click Open, then click OK.

NOTES

  • If remotely installing to other physical nodes of the cluster, ensure you mount the software installation disc on a UNC path or a shared location (e.g., \\machine_name\shared_directory_name).

  
2. In this screen, you choose the language you want to use during installation. Click the down arrow, select the desired language from the pull-down list, and click Next to continue.  
3. Select the option to install software.

NOTES

  
4. Select the option to install software on this computer.

NOTES

  • The options that appear on this screen depend on the computer in which the software is being installed.
  
5. Read the Welcome screen.

Click Next to continue, if no other applications are running.

  
6. Read the virus scanning software warning.

Click OK to continue, if virus scanning software is disabled.

  
7. Read the license agreement, then select I accept the terms in the license agreement.

Click Next to continue.

 

Cluster Selection
8. Select Configure a Virtual Server.

Click Next to continue.

NOTES

  • You will only see this screen if you are installing the CommServe software onto a physical node, and the CommServe database on the virtual server.
9. Select the disk group in which the virtual server resides.

Click Next to continue.

Select Components for Installation
10. Select the component(s) to install.

NOTES

  • Your screen may look different from the example shown.
  • Components that either have already been installed, or which cannot be installed, will be dimmed. Hover over the component for additional details.
  • The Special Registry Keys In Use field will be enabled when GalaxyInstallerFlags registry keys have been enabled on this computer. Hover over the field to see which keys have been set, as well as their values. For more information, see Registry Keys.

Click Next to continue.

To install the CommServe expand the CommServe Modules folder and select the following:

  • CommServe

If you are installing the CommServe software on a physical node, the CommCell Console will be selected by default.

If you are installing the CommServe software on a virtual server, the CommCell Console will be not selected, as it is not supported on a virtual server.
11. Click YES to install Microsoft .NET Framework package.

NOTES

  • Follow the on-screen prompts for installing the Microsoft .NET Framework package.
  • If you are prompted to install the Service Pack for the Microsoft .NET Framework, click Yes.
  • This prompt is displayed only when Microsoft .NET Framework is not installed.
  • Once the Microsoft .NET Framework is installed, the software automatically installs the Microsoft Visual J# 2.0 package.

Set Up the Required Privileges
12. Click Yes to set up the required privileges for the local administrators group.

NOTES

  • This option will only appear if the Windows user account used to install the software does not have the required administrator rights (e.g., if the operating system was newly installed).
  • If you choose to click Yes, the install program will automatically assign the required rights to your account. You may be prompted to log off and log back on to continue the installation.
  • If you choose to click No, the installation will be aborted.
  • You will be prompted at the end of the installation to decide if you want these privileges to be revoked.
note.gif (292 bytes) The install program checks your Windows user account for the following necessary operating system rights:
  • Right to increase quotas (this is referred to as adjust memory quotas for a process on Windows Server 2003).
  • Right to act as a part of the operating system.
  • Right to replace a process level token.

Configuration of Other Installation Options
13. Specify the SQL Server System Administrator password.

NOTES

  • This is the password for the administrator's account that was created prior to this installation.

Click Next to continue.
14. Specify the location where you want to install the software.

NOTES

  • Do not install the software to a mapped network drive.
  • Do not use the following characters when specifying the destination path:
     / : * ? " < > |
    It is recommended that you use alphanumeric characters only.
  • If you intend to install other components on this computer, the selected installation directory will be automatically used for that software as well.
  • If a component has already been installed, this screen may not be displayed if the installer can use the same install location as previously used.

  • If you intend to use the SnapProtect™  feature for Windows File System iDataAgent, the agent should be installed on a non-system drive and not a filer volume.

Click Browse to change directories.

Click Next to continue.
note.gif (292 bytes) Proprietary disk resources will not appear in the browse window. To install to a proprietary disk resource, manually enter the path.

After installing to a proprietary disk resource, the error message CVD failed to set dependency may be generated. To set the dependency, open the Cluster Administrator and select the CVD that has just been installed. Click on the Properties Dependencies tab, and click Modify. Select the proprietary disk resource and click OK.

Do not select the same destination drive in which the MSCS resides.

Firewall Configuration
15. Select from the following:
  • If this Client communicates with the CommServe Server and/or MediaAgent across a firewall, select Yes, configure firewall services, and then click Next to continue. Proceed to the next Step.
  • If firewall configuration is not required, click No, do not configure firewall services and then click Next to continue. Proceed to the next section.

NOTES

  • Operating systems, such as Windows 2008 and Windows Vista, may have more than one profile present. When you select No to configure firewall services, verify that firewall settings are not enabled in the profile(s).
  • If the system detects firewall settings are present in the profile(s), you must select from the following:
    • Disable firewall for ALL profiles: Employ caution when choosing this option; firewall settings will be disabled in all profiles. This requires a system reboot; installation automatically resumes after reboot.
    • No, Firewall is not enabled: Select this option if your firewall settings allow communication with the CommServe computer.
      Click Back to configure firewall services.
16. Click the Specify list of machine across the firewall option and then specify the list of hosts separated from this computer by a firewall. Make sure you correctly describe whether the firewall allows two-way communication (but on a limited range of ports), or one-way communication (with either only remote host being able to make connections to this computer, or vice versa).

For all one-way firewalls allowing incoming connections and those one-way firewalls allowing outgoing connections without additional port filtering, skip this step.

Click Next to continue.

NOTES

  • Consider the following:
    • On the CommServe Server, this list should include all the MediaAgents and Clients that are on the other side of the firewall.
    • On the MediaAgents/Clients this should include the CommServe computer, and any other Clients/MediaAgents on the other side of the firewall with which communications will be established.
  • For each machine on the other side of the firewall that you want to configure, choose the type of firewall configuration based on the firewall setup in your environment. Choose from the following options:
    • Click on 2-way firewall if you can open certain ports as bi-directional ports.
    • Click 1-way firewall; host is reachable from this machine on the machine that is on the secure side of the firewall.
    • Click 1-way firewall; host is NOT reachable from this machine on the machine that is on the public / DMZ side of the firewall.
  • If you wish to communicate with computers in a clustered environment, ensure that you add the Host Name/IP Address of all physical nodes in the cluster (even if no CommCell components are installed) and all the virtual nodes in which CommCell components are installed.
  • Type the host name or the IP address and the GxCVD port number of the host name, and click Add to place it in the Host Name/IP Address List.
17. Click the Specify list of restricted open ports option and then specify the port range. Add the starting and ending port range and then click Add to place it in the Open Port List. Repeat as needed.

If firewall separating this computer from others allows incoming connections, but these connections can be made only on a limited set of ports, then configure the appropriate port range here. For all other scenarios, skip this step.

Note that if you do not specify hostname(s) as well as port number(s), then the firewall services will not be configured.

NOTES

  • Typically in a two-way firewall, the open ports must be indicated for all computers. In a one-way firewall, the ports must be specified on computers in the open side, if they are open in a restricted way. Note that the port ranges are not required for computers that are fully closed in the one-way firewall. For example, laptops which are configured as clients in the Workstation Backup Agent.
  • In a clustered environment, make sure the firewall ports specified here are open for communication on all the physical nodes as well as the virtual nodes.

Click Next to continue.
18. If desired, modify the Keep Alive interval.

Click Next to continue.
19. Optionally, select Advanced Firewall Configuration and specify a local virtual host name interface to use for outgoing tunnel connections through the firewall. Otherwise, the interface and port is automatically selected for you by the OS.

Click Next to continue.
20. If desired, modify the Tunnel Initialization interval.

Click Next to continue.

If any of the above prompts for firewall configuration is not displayed, you must configure communication across firewall(s) using the Firewall Configuration Wizard before running any operations on this computer. (See Configure or Modify Firewall Settings on Windows Computers for step-by-step instructions on using the Firewall Configuration Wizard.)
21. Specify the location of the CommServe database.

NOTES

  • Do not specify a mapped network drive.
  • You can either accept the default or select a different location on a local disk drive.  However, you must ensure that the drive has at least 1GB of free space.
  • The directory file path selected should not be located on a FAT drive. A FAT drive cannot be supported as the location for this database because it does not allow a temporary sparse file to be generated when creating the database snapshot, which is required for data verification.
  • If the default metadata database directory is low in disk space, provide a path that is not associated with another application.

Click Browse to change directories.

Click Next to continue.
22. Enter the CommServe Client Name and the CommServe Host Name.

NOTES

  • The CommServe client name is the name of the computer.  This field is automatically populated.
  • The CommServe host name is the TCP/IP network interface name of the CommServe computer.  This field is automatically populated.
  • Do not use the following characters in the CommServe client name or the CommServe host name:
    \|`~!@#$%^&*()+=<>/?,[]{}:;'"

Click Next to continue.
23. Enter the network or local path where Disaster Recovery Backup files should be stored.

NOTES

  • For cluster, specify a shared drive.
  • If you selected Use Network Path, you must enter the Network share username and the Network share password.
    • The Network share username is the domain\username of the user that has administrative rights to the Disaster Recovery Backup destination path.
    • The Network share password is the password of the network share username.

Click Next to continue.

Set User Names and Passwords
24. Enter the CommCell Username and CommCell Password.

NOTES

  • The CommCell username and password will be used by the Administrator user to log on to the CommCell Console.  This user is automatically created during installation and, by default, has the necessary capabilities to perform all functions. Additional CommCell users with the same or less security rights can be created after the installation of the software.

Click Next to continue.
25. Enter and confirm the Media Password.

NOTES

  • This password is used to protect unauthorized data access from media used by the system.
  • If you choose to password protect your media, it is essential that you record this password. In certain disaster recovery scenarios, it may be necessary to read your backup data directly from the backup media (using Media Explorer, for example). This password will be required to directly access the media.

Click Next to continue.
26. Specify the following and click Next to continue:
  • Type the location of the client's job results directory, or click Browse.

NOTES

  • The Agent uses the job results directory to store the client's backup and restore job results.

Configure the CommCell for Web-Based Administration
27. Click Yes to configure the CommCell Console for web administration, or Click No to continue without configuring the CommCell Console for web administration.

NOTES

  • The Internet Information Server (IIS) must be installed on this computer in order to configure for web administration.
  • Configuring this computer for web administration allows you to:
    • Access the CommCell Console and Books Online from a remote computer using a Web browser.
    • View CommCell reports via a Web browser.
    • Access Books Online by clicking the Help button (the icon with a ?) in the CommCell Console.
28. Type the name (or use the default) of the Web alias that you want to use for accessing the CommCell Console.

NOTES

  • If the alias already exists, you will be informed that the alias is already in use. Click Yes to overwrite the alias, and then click OK.

Click Next to continue.
29. Select Download Pack(s) and Install to download and install the latest service packs and post packs from the software provider.

NOTES

  • Internet connectivity is required to download updates.
  • This step is applicable when installing on the first instance.
  • Updates are downloaded to the following directory: 
    <software installation>/Base/Temp/DownloadedPacks    .
    They are launched silently and installed automatically for the first instance.

Click Next to continue.

Verify Summary of Install Options
30. Verify the summary of selected options.

NOTES

  • The Summary on your screen should reflect the components you selected for install, and may look different from the example shown.

Click Next to continue or Back to change any of the options.

The install program now starts copying the software to the computer. This step may take several minutes to complete.
31. The System Reboot message may be displayed. If so, select one of the following:
  • Skip Reboot
    This option will be displayed if the install program finds any files belonging to other applications, that need to be replaced. As these files are not critical for this installation, you may skip the reboot and continue the installation and reboot the computer at a later time.
  • Reboot Now
    If this option is displayed without the Skip Reboot option, the install program has found files required by the software that are in use and need to be replaced. If Reboot Now is displayed without the Skip Reboot option, reboot the computer at this point. The install program will automatically continue after the reboot.
  • Exit Setup
    If you want to exit the install program, click Exit Setup.

Schedule Automatic Update
32. If necessary, select this option to schedule automatic FTP downloading of software updates.

NOTES

  • Automatic Updates Schedule allows automatic downloading of software updates on a single or weekly basis.
  • If you do not select this option, you can schedule these updates later from the CommCell Console.

Click Next to continue.
33. If necessary, specify the path where the update files from the FTP site should be stored.

NOTES

  • This prompt will only be displayed if the Schedule FTP Download of Automatic Updates option was enabled. 

Click Next to continue.
34. If necessary, select this option to schedule an automatic installation of software updates.

NOTES

  • Install Updates Schedule allows automatic installation of the necessary software updates on the computer on a single or weekly basis. If you do not select this option, you can schedule these updates later from the CommCell Console.
  • To avoid conflict, do not schedule the automatic installation of software updates to occur at the same time as the automatic FTP downloading of software updates.
  • You may be prompted to reboot the computer before restarting services.

  • If a component has already been installed, this screen will not be displayed; instead, the installer will use the same option as previously specified.

Click Next to continue.

Install Remaining Cluster Nodes
35. To install/upgrade the software on the remaining nodes of the cluster, click Yes.

To complete the install for this node only, click No.
36. Select cluster nodes from the Preferred Nodes list and click the arrow button to move them to the Selected Nodes list.

NOTES

  • The list of Preferred Nodes displays all the nodes found in the cluster; from this list you should only select cluster nodes configured to host this virtual server.
  • Do not select nodes that already have multiple instances installed. For more information, see Multi Instancing.

When you have completed your selections, click Next to continue.
37. Type the User Name and Password for the Domain Administrator account, so that the installer can perform the remote install/upgrade of the cluster nodes you selected in the previous step.

Click Next to continue.
38. The progress of the remote install for the cluster nodes is displayed; the install can be interrupted if necessary.

Click Stop to prevent installation to any nodes after the current ones complete.

Click Advanced Settings to specify any of the following:

  • Maximum number of nodes on which Setup can run simultaneously.
  • Time allocated for Setup to begin executing on each node, after which the install attempt will fail.
  • Time allocated for Setup to complete on each node, after which the install attempt will fail.

NOTES

  • If, during the remote install of a cluster node, setup fails to complete or is interrupted, you must perform a local install on that node. When you do, the install begins from where it left off, or from the beginning if necessary. For procedures, see Manually Installing the Software on a Passive Node.
39. Read the summary for remote installation to verify that all selected nodes were installed successfully.

NOTES

  • If any node installation fails, you must manually install the software on that node once the current installation is complete. (See Manually Installing the Software on a Passive Node for step-by-step instructions.)
  • The message displayed on your screen will reflect the status of the selected nodes, and may look different from the example.

Click Next to continue.

Remove the Required Privileges
40. Click Yes to remove the privileges that were assigned earlier by the install program. If you do not wish to remove them, click No.

NOTES

  • This option will only be displayed if you were prompted to assign the privileges earlier in the installation.

Setup Complete
41. Read the summary for remote installation to verify that all selected nodes were installed successfully.

NOTES

  • If any node installation fails, you must manually install the software on that node once the current installation is complete. (See Manually Installing the Software on a Passive Node for step-by-step instructions.)
  • The message displayed on your screen will reflect the status of the selected nodes, and may look different from the example.

Click Next to continue.
42. Setup displays the successfully installed components.

NOTES

  • The Setup Complete message displayed on your screen will reflect the components you installed, and may look different from the example shown.
  • If you install an Agent with the CommCell Console open, you need to refresh the CommCell Console (F5) to see the new Agents.
  • If Reboot Now button is displayed make sure to reboot the computer before performing any other operations from the computer.

Click Finish to close the install program.

The installation is now complete.
43. Proceed as follows, based on your installation configuration:
  • If you installed both the CommServe software and the CommServe database to the virtual server:
    1. If the passive node was not available while installing the software, you must manually install the software on the passive node now. (See Manually Installing the Software on a Passive Node for step-by-step instructions.)
    2. Fail over the disk group containing the CommServe to the passive nodes at least once, so that the configurations to the passive node occur. This must be done before installing any other software components. The install program updates the passive nodes on the cluster so that the virtual server can fail over. A program to create the CommServe Data Source Name (DSN) is launched automatically on each passive node.
    3. Fail back the nodes, then continue on to the MediaAgent installation.
    4. You must install the CommCell Console on a physical node of the cluster before proceeding. For instructions, see Install the CommCell Console - Windows.
  • If you installed the CommServe software on the active physical node, and the SQL database resides on the virtual server, you must now install the CommServe software on every passive node as well. For step-by-step instructions, see Manually Installing the Software on a Passive Node.

Post-Install Considerations

General

  • If you have a permanent license, open the CommCell Console and apply the license. See Update License for step-by-step instructions.

  • Install post-release updates or Service Packs that may have been released after the release of the software. Alternatively, you can enable Automatic Updates for quick and easy installation of updates in the CommCell® console.

  • After installing the CommServe® or MediaAgent software, it will be listed as a client computer in the host computer's CommCell Browser. The alert icon preceding the CommServe or MediaAgent client computer in the CommCell Console indicates that agent software must be installed on that computer for it to be utilized as a client.

Database Engine

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition (with Service Pack 2) will be automatically installed while installing the software. Later versions of the Service Pack, if available, are also supported.(* See Disclaimer below.)

    If necessary, download and install the latest version of the Microsoft SQL Server service pack and/or post-release updates after an install or upgrade.

  • After installing the CommServe, the Default or Named instance created by the SQL Server install requires specific settings. In the Memory tab, the dynamically configured Maximum memory should be 50% of the physical memory available in the CommServe machine. The Memory tab is located in the Properties screen for the Default or Named instance, and is accessible from the SQL Server Management Studio.

CommCell Console

Cluster/Firewall

If the CommServe is configured to communicate across a firewall, the following firewall related files must be manually copied from the active node to all the passive nodes:
  • <software installation path>/<software installation folder>/Base/FwHosts.txt
  • <software installation path>/<software installation folder>/Base/FwPeers.txt
  • <software installation path>/<software installation folder>/Base/FwPorts.txt

If for some reason the passive node is currently active, make sure to stop and restart Services after copying the files.

DISCLAIMER

Minor revisions and/or service packs that are released by application and operating system vendors may, in some cases, affect the working of our software. Although we may list such revisions and/or service packs as “supported” in our System Requirements, changes to the behavior of our software resulting from an application or operating system revision/service pack may be beyond our control. However, we will make every effort to correct such disruption as quickly as possible. When in doubt, please contact your software provider to ensure support for a specific application or operating system.

Additional considerations regarding minimum requirements and End of Life policies from application and operating system vendors are also applicable.