Server Administration Overview

Server Administration

When using the Commvault Command Center^TM, Commvault^® software uses agents to communicate with file systems and applications that require protection. Any server with an agent installed on it is referred to as a 'server.' Each agent contains code that is used to communicate directly with the system requiring protection. The agent communicates using Application Program Interfaces (APIs) or scripts that are native to the file system or application.

For example, a Windows 2008 file system uses Volume Shadow Service (VSS) to protect file data, so the Windows agent has the option to enable VSS during backup operations. The agent then has a backup set defined. The backup set is a complete representation of all data the agent is responsible to protect. Within the backup set, subclients are used to define the actual data requiring protection. By default, a default subclient is used to define ALL data requiring protection within the backup set.

Additional subclients can be created to define specific content requiring protection. When content is defined within the user defined subclient, it automatically is excluded from the default subclient. An example for a custom subclient could be defining a specific drive containing user data where VSS is initiated for the drive during backup jobs to ensure all open files are protected.

Server Navigation Structure

The Server navigation structure defines a hierarchy for arranging various components of a server. This hierarchy remains consistent throughout servers with different agents installed, which results in simplified administration of a CommCell^® environment.

Each component in the server navigation structure provides specific functionality to properly configure, manage and protect production data. Each of these components has specific features and properties that are configured to provide a comprehensive protection strategy.

The Server navigation structure consists of the following components:

• Server — identifies the client system by CommCell^® server name and Host name or IP address.
• Agent — is installed on the server, or a proxy server, to protect specific data such as files, databases, emails or virtual machines.
• Instance — is used with specific agent types such as database application or hypervisors to define specific configuration for an instance.
• Backup Set — is a complete representation of all content the agent is responsible to protect.
• Subclient — defines the actual data within the backup set that requires protection.

Accessing Server Properties

Few options and parameters are available for servers. These options are applied to the server, therefore applied globally to any agent types installed on the server. Options are grouped in categories such as:

• Security
• Agents
• Activity control