Backup Exec SBS (Small Business Server) Licensing is not accepted on a physical host machine running Windows Standard Edition and backups to tape hard

Problem

Backup Exec SBS (Small Business Server) Licensing is not accepted on a physical host machine running Windows Standard Edition and backups to tape hardware are not possible if the SBS Licensing is entered on a Hyper-V Guest running Windows SBS

Cause

Backup Exec Small Business Server Edition (BE SBS) is designed, licensed, and priced for the Microsoft Small Business Server operating system. The Backup Exec SBS Edition includes all of the necessary components to protect both the Standard and Premium versions of the Microsoft Small Business Server platform, including Microsoft SBS 2008 R2. As a result, Backup Exec SBS Edition will only install on a Microsoft SBS operating system and will perform verification during installation to ensure the product is installed only on a Microsoft SBS operating system.

Microsoft SBS 2008 R2 introduces a number of enhancements and now includes Hyper-V components necessary to virtual the SBS operating system as a Guest virtual machine. Backup Exec SBS Edition is supported when virtualized and installed into the SBS Guest virtual machine. However, BE SBS Edition cannot be installed on the physical Hyper-V host server or the second “Line of Business” Windows 2008 Server operating system (included in the Premium versions of Microsoft SBS) because they are not running the Microsoft SBS operating system required by the Backup Exec SBS Edition.

As a result of the requirement that Backup Exec SBS Edition be installed in the Guest virtual machine running the SBS operating system when virtualized, there are will be limitations on what backup devices can be supported. The Hyper-V 2008 and 2008 R2 platform do not currently support the virtualization of tape devices connected to the physical Hyper-V host through to the SBS Guest virtual machine. As a result, tape devices cannot be currently used when Backup Exec SBS Edition has been virtualized on the Hyper-V platform since tape communication cannot be passed through to the Guest SBS virtual machine. This is a limitation of the Hyper-V platform and not Backup Exec SBS Edition.

Solution

I. For backing up to tape from the host machine
The issue with the SBS Licensing not being accepted by the host machine is resolved with Backup Exec 2010-R2. The install now looks at the active guest machines for an SBS 2008 or greater server during the installation to the host. For tape backup in this environment, install Backup Exec 2010-R2 with the SBS License to the host machine. Per Microsoft KB (957006) Microsoft does not suport SBS 2003 server running as a virtual machine on a Hyper-V host.
II. For backing up to non-tape media from the guest machine
Continue using the Backup Exec SBS Edition Licensing and install it in the Guest virtual machine running the Microsoft SBS operating system for use with backup-to-disk devices or Deduplication storage folders only.
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Updated version of Platform Support Matrix ITMS7.1

An updated version of Platform Support Matrix has been posted to the following KB article:

http://www.symantec.com/docs/HOWTO9965

Important changes for this version:
• Updated: SQL Server 2008 SP2 support for ITMS 7.1
• Updated: Windows Server editions for ITMS 7.1
• Updated: Descriptions for OS support with CMS/SMS
• Updated: Description for Agent Localization

{CWoC 2010} A Scripting Guide to Simulating Agent Workload on the Notification Server / Symantec Management Platform

Nice article about stress testing and simulating an agent.

(well done Ludo…)

http://98.129.119.162/connect/zh-hant/articles/scripting-guide-simulating-agent-workload-notification-server-symantec-management-platform

Management Platform (Formerly known as Notification Server)

Official Documentation Landing Page : http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&key=55274&channel=DOCUMENTATION

Symantec Management Platform and Altiris Solutions Support Matrix

Link to the Support page : http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=HOWTO9965

Migrate to ITMS 7.1

Comprehensive Migration Resources

Product Management and Development created a full complement of best practice recommendations to enable customers to design, migrate, and deploy Altiris 7.1 suites and solutions successfully. The documents cover planning and implementation, effective migration of agents, how to use available migration wizards, and more.

A dedicated migration area is now live on Symantec Connect.

Altiris 7.1 Suites and Solutions are Now Generally Available

On March 7, 2011 Altiris 7.1 Suites and Solutions were release to general availability. This release includes IT Management Suite and its integrated suites: Client Management Suite, Server Management Suite, Asset Management Suite and ServiceDesk. Symantec will issue a public press release on April 11, 2011. This release not only includes tremendous quality advances, but also significant improvements in performance and scalability. In addition to a solid release vetted by over 500 beta customers there are many new features that improve IT operational efficiency and control costs. Altiris 7.1 is a release to feel confident about in terms of quality and competitiveness: · Scalability increase of 320% and an overall increase of 480% in hierarchy minimizes our overall management footprint - a fraction of the typical Microsoft System Center implementation · A new management interface delivers the fastest console performance with consolidated management of common tasks, drag and drop functionality, and tighter product integration – ease of use is a strength · Deeper automation and intelligence drives innovation and optimizes software expenditures – freeing up valuable human and financial capital · Broad patch management coverage helps organizations protect against a growing list of non-Microsoft, 3rd party applications – over 2/3 of vulnerabilities exist in third party desktop applications

Release Notes ITMS 7.1

Can be found here