FalconStor® VTL Virtual Appliance Getting Started Guide

Version 5.2

FalconStor Software, Inc.

2 Huntington Quadrangle, Suite 2S01
Melville, NY 11747
Phone: 631-777-5188
Fax: 631-501-7633
Web site: www.falconstor.com

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FalconStor Software, FalconStor, and IPStor are registered trademarks of FalconStor Software, Inc. in the United States and
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FalconStor Software reserves the right to make changes in the information contained in this publication without prior notice. The
reader should in all cases consult FalconStor Software to determine whether any such changes have been made.
This product is protected by United States Patents Nos. 7,093,127 B2; 6,715,098; 7,058,788 B2; 7,330,960 B2; 7,055,008 B2;
7,469,337 and additional patents pending.
050610.2164
 Contents
Introduction
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Minimum ESX server hardware requirements for 1 TB repository capacity . . . . . . .2
VTL console requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Virtual machine configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
About this document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Installing the VTL Virtual Appliance

Before you install . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Install the VTL Virtual Appliance using an installation script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
For VMware ESX 3.5 and ESX 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Import VTLVA from the VMware Infrastructure Client . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
For VMware ESX 3.5 and ESXi 3.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
For VMware ESX 4 and ESXi 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Verify installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
VTLVA auto-configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Verify the status of service and network connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Install the VTL Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Connect to the virtual appliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Add the license keycodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Register keycodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

VTL Virtual Appliance Getting Started Guide i

Introduction
FalconStor® Virtual Tape Library Virtual Appliance (VTLVA) for VMware
Infrastructure is a preinstalled, preconfigured, and ready-to-run software application
package bundled into a virtual appliance in a VMware environment.
VTLVA offers fast backup, data deduplication, enterprise-wide replication, and tape
integration in one solution, without requiring changes to the existing environment.
FalconStor® VTL provides high-speed backup/restore and direct tape export , while
FalconStor® SIR enables global data deduplication and maximizes the efficiency of
remote replication.

VTLVA comprises the following components:

• VTL Virtual Appliance - A preconfigured image that includes VTL and SIR
storage, including the VTL database, SIR index, and SIR repository.
• VTL Console - The graphical administration tool, installed on a separate
workstation or another virtual machine, where you configure VTL, add/
configure clients, set properties, create and manage deduplication policies,
and view statistics.
• VTL Clients - The backup servers that use VTL. VTL supports iSCSI backup
servers on most major platforms.

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 Introduction

Requirements

Minimum ESX server hardware requirements for 1 TB repository capacity

The table below shows requirements for a VTL Virtual Appliance with a 1 TB
repository.

Component Configuration

CPU Two Duo-core 1.8 GHz 64-bit processors or

One Quad-core 2.0 GHz 64-bit processor

Memory 7 GB memory (1 GB for ESX server, 6 GB for VTLVA)

Disk 2,065,600 MB free storage space

Network One physical network adapter

Repository capacity can be increased according to these rules: each additional

1,000,000 MB SIR Repository requires an additional 40,000 MB Index disk and 2
GB RAM. For example:

Virtual appliance
Total memory (GB) Index disk (MB)
repository capacity

1 TB (default) 6 40,000

2 TB 8 80,000

3 TB 10 120,000

4 TB 12 160,000

5 TB (maximum) 14 200,000

VTL console requirements

The VTL console requires a virtual or physical machine running any version of
Microsoft Windows that supports the Java 2 Runtime Environment (JRE).

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 Introduction

Virtual machine configurations

The sample ESX server specifications above support the following virtual machine
configurations:

Component 1 TB System 2 TB System

CPU Two virtual processors Two virtual processors

VA Repository 1 TB 2 TB
Capacity

Memory 6 GB 8 GB

Disk System: 25,600 MB (1 x 25,600 MB System: 25,600 MB (1 x 25,600 MB

virtual disk)
VTL: 1,000,000 MB
(4 x 250,000 MB virtual disks)
SIR Index: 40,000 MB
(1 x 40,000 MB virtual disks)
SIR Repository: 1,000,000 MB
(4 x 250,000 MB virtual disks)
virtual disk)
VTL: 2,000,000 MB
(8 x 250,000 MB virtual disks)
SIR Index: 80,000 MB
(2 x 40,000 MB virtual disk)
SIR Repository: 2,000,000 MB
(8 x 250,000 MB virtual disks)

Network One virtual network adapter One virtual network adapter

About this document

This document provides step-by-step procedures for installing and using VTLVA with
VMware ESX 3.5, VMware ESXi 3.5 server, VMware ESX 4, or VMware ESXi 4
server, as follows:
• ESX 3.5, ESXi 3.5 server, build 207095 or above; VMware Infrastructure
Client version 2.5.0.
• ESX 4, ESXi 4 server, build 208167 or above; VMware vSphere Client
version 4.0.0.

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 Installing the VTL
Virtual Appliance
Before you install
1. Before installing the VTL Virtual Appliance, you must make sure that Virtual
Technology (VT) is enabled in the system BIOS. To set it, go to the mother-
board’s BIOS configuration, go to the CPU’s advanced settings, and select
Enable VT. After enabling VT, you must power off (not reset) the ESX server
completely, power it on, and reboot to ESX.
2. Install the appropriate version of VMware Infrastructure Client or VMware
vSphere Client:
• VMware ESX 3.5 or ESXi 3.5 requires VMware Infrastructure Client version
2.5.0.
• Vmware ESX 4 or ESXi 4 requires VMware vSphere Client version 4.0.0.

Install the VTL Virtual Appliance using an installation script

For VMware ESX 3.5 and ESX 4

To launch the VTLVA installation script on the ESX server console, log into the
console with root privileges and follow the instructions below to complete the
installation.

1. Upload FalconStor-VTLVAxxx.zip to the VMware ESX server /root folder using

the SCP tool.

2. Log into the VMware ESX server console with root privileges and change the
path to the /root folder.
3. Execute the unzip command, which by default extracts the package to a folder
whose name is based on the name of the .zip file. For example:
unzip FalconStor-VTLVAxxx.zip
unzips the file to a volder named FalconStor-VTLVAxxx.
4. Test the VMware ESX system by running the following command:
vmware-cmd
The system will respond with the command usage and options list.
Note: If you encounter a message stating "Can't locate VMware/VmPerl.pm”,
run the following command to correct the VMware ESX setting:
vmware-config.pl
If necessary, you can patch VMware ESX after installation.
5. Start VTL Virtual Appliance installation by executing the following command:
./FalconStor-VTLVAxxx/vtlinstall.

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The installation script will detect the physical processor on the VMware ESX
server. If it is not a 64-bit processor, the script will stop the installation and
display a message warning you that the host is not supported.
After the processor check, the installation script scans and lists the VMFS
volume on the VMware ESX server.
The script checks that the VMware ESX server has enough available storage for
the VTLVA system, VTL and SIR Index storage, and for the SIR repository. If the
server does not have sufficient storage, the script will stop the installation and
display an explanatory message.
6. If sufficient storage is detected, the script will propose the default name
“FalconStor-VTLVA” for the VTL virtual machine.
• If you enter yes, the script assigns the default name to the virtual machine.
• If you enter no, the script will ask you to enter a name for the virtual
machine.
7. Next, the script displays the recommended storage resource allocations for the
VTL Virtual Appliance. Enter yes to accept the recommendations, no to
configure storage volumes manually, or quit to cancel installation.
• If you enter yes, the script installs and configures the VTLVA system
according to the recommended allocation specifications, registers the VTL
virtual machine on the VMware ESX server, and confirms the creation of
virtual disks for the VTL/SIR Index and SIR Repository.
• If you enter no, the script will ask you to select the volume to be used for
each resource: VTLVA system, VTL/SIR Index, and SIR Repository. You
cannot change the amount of storage that will be allocated to a resource.

After you confirm your selections, the script installs and configures the
VTLVA system according to your selections, registers the VTL virtual
machine on the VMware ESX server, and confirms creation of virtual disks
for the VTL/SIR Index and SIR Repository.
Installation/configuration/registration are usually completed within 10 minutes.

Import VTLVA from the VMware Infrastructure Client

For VMware ESX 3.5 and ESXi 3.5

1. On the VMware Infrastructure Client machine, unzip FalconStor-VTLVAxxx.zip
and extract the package to any folder. For example, create a folder called
FalconStor-VTLVAxxx.

2. Launch the VMware Infrastructure Client and connect to the ESX server with
administrator privileges.
3. Select File --> Virtual Appliance --> Import and click Next.
4. Select Import from file.
5. Browse to the folder to which you extracted the package (i.e., the FalconStor-
VTLVAxxx folder).

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Expand it to locate the FalconStor-VTLVA folder and in that folder, select the file:
FalconStor-VTLVA.ovf. The file name appears in the dialog.
6. Select OK.
7. In the next dialog, verify that the virtual appliance details are correct, then click
Next to continue the import.
The default appliance name is displayed: FalconStor-VTLVA. You can change
the name of the virtual machine. This change will not be applied to the actual
appliance name.

Note: Virtual appliance folders are not visible when connected directly to the
host, so you will not be able to select the appliance location.

8. Choose a Datastore to indicate where to store the files for the virtual appliance
being imported. Make sure the datastore meets the minimum requirements for
storage as defined in ’Requirements’.
Click Next when you are done.
9. A summary of the import settings displays.
Click Finish to execute the import procedure.

For VMware ESX 4 and ESXi 4

1. On the VMware vSphere Client machine, unzip FalconStor-VTLVAxxx.zip and
extract the package to any folder. For example, create a folder called
FalconStor-VTLVAxxx.

2. Launch the VMware vSphere Client and connect to the vSphere server with
root privileges.
3. Select File --> Deploy OVF Template.
4. Select Deploy from file.
5. Browse to the folder to which you extracted the package (i.e., the FalconStor-
VTLVAxxx folder).
Expand it to locate the FalconStor-VTLVA folder and in that folder, select the file:
FalconStor-VTLVA.ovf. The file name appears in the dialog.
6. Select Next.
7. In the next dialog, verify that the virtual appliance details are correct, then click
Next to continue the import.
The default appliance name is displayed: FalconStor-VTLVA. You can change
the name of the virtual machine. This change will not be applied to the actual
appliance name.

Note: Virtual appliance folders are not visible when connected directly to the
host, so you will not be able to select the appliance location.

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8. Choose a Datastore to indicate where to store the files for the virtual appliance
being imported. Make sure the datastore meets the minimum requirements for
storage as defined in ’Requirements’.
Click Next when you are done.
9. A summary of the import settings displays.
Click Finish to execute the import procedure.

Verify installation
1. Run the VMware Infrastructure Client or Vmware vSphere Client. Verify that
the new virtual machine is listed under the VMware server object.
For VMware ESX 3.5 and ESX 4, the default virtual machine name is
FalconStor-VTLVA.
For VMware ESXi 3.5 and ESXi 4, the virtual machine name should be the name
defined during installation.
2. Select the virtual machine. On the Summary tab, make sure the virtual machine
is registered.

3. Right-click the virtual machine and select Edit Settings.

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4. On the Hardware tab, you will see that new hard disks are listed. The number of
disks depends on the size of the system you have purchased. These disks are
used for the VTLVA system, VTL storage, SIR Index storage, and IR repository.
When you select a disk, details are displayed in the right-hand pane. .

5. On the Hardware tab, select Network Adapter 1 and verify that the Network
Connection setting shows that the virtual machine is linked to the VM Network.

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If you have changed the VMware ESX server default network label from VM
Network or if you want to link the connection to another virtual network, expand
the Network label box and select the network connection for the appropriate
network.

VTLVA auto-configuration
The VTLVA auto-configuration script runs automatically the first time you log into the
VTL Virtual Appliance and completes the following operations:
• Configures the system (hostname, IP address, netmask, gateway, and
name server).
• Installs packages (IMA licensing package, VTL package, and the FalconStor
iSCSI Initiator).
• Configures SIR deduplication and creates a default deduplication policy.
1. In the Virtual Infrastructure Client, right-click the virtual machine and select
Power On (or click the Power On button).
2. Click the Console tab and log into the VTL server with user name root and
password IPStor101. (If the virtual machine is still booting up when you display
the Console, wait until this process is complete before logging in.)
After successful login, the VTLVA auto-configuration script will run automatically.

3. The script allows you to accept certain system defaults or make a change, based
on details provided by your network administrator. For each proposed default,
you can either press Enter to accept the default or type a replacement and then
press Enter. Defaults are offered for:
• hostname
• IP address
• netmask
• gateway
• name server
The script should end with the message VTL Setup Complete!.

Verify the status of service and network connections

After VTLVA auto-configuration completes successfully, check the VTL virtual
appliance network connection and service status.
1. To check the VTL server service status, run the following command:
vtl status
Verify that the status for each service is RUNNING.
2. To check the virtual appliance’s communication with the VMware ESX server,
click the Summary tab.
Under General information, verify that the status of the VMware Tools is OK.

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Install the VTL Console

The VTL Console is used to manage the VTL virtual appliance. Install the VTL
Console on the machine running the VMware Infrastructure Client or on any
Windows-based machine.

1. Copy FalconStor-VTLVAxxx.zip to the machine on which you want to install the

VTL console.

2. Unzip the file to any folder and then navigate to VTLconsole\Windows.

3. Run Setup.exe to install the console.

Connect to the virtual appliance

1. Launch the console: select Start --> Programs --> FalconStor. Select the version
of the VTL console that corresponds to your installation and then click VTL
Console.
• If the server already appears in the navigation tree on the left side of the
console, right-click it and select Connect. For a multi-node group, right-click
the group and select Connect to connect to all of the servers in the group.
You must use a user name and password that exists for all servers in the
group.
• Enter a valid user name and password (both are case-sensitive).
2. If your server is not already in the tree, do the following to add it:
• Right-click the Servers object in the left pane of the console and select Add.
• Enter the virtual appliance name or address and log in using the default
user name root and the default password IPStor101 (both are case
sensitive).
• Click OK and wait for the default VTL server hostname VTLVA to appear in
the navigation tree.
Once you are connected to a server, the server icon will change to show that you are
connected: .

If required by your company’s IP/naming policies, you can change the default VTLVA
server name that is displayed in the VTL console navigation tree. Refer to the
VTLVA User Guide.

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Add the license keycodes

You have to enter license keycodes to enable server functionality. You can find your
license keycodes on the server license agreement or you can use the trial keycode
you obtained when you registered on the web site.
To add a keycode:
1. In the console, right-click the VTL server object and select License.
2. Click Add.
3. Enter the keycode and then click OK.
You can click the License Summary tab to check the details of the license.

Register keycodes
If your computer has Internet access, the console will register a keycode
automatically after you enter it; otherwise the registration will fail.
You can have a 60-day grace period to use the product without a registered
keycode. If this machine cannot connect to the Internet, you can perform offline
registration.
To register a keycode:
1. In the License dialog, select an unregistered keycode and click the Register
button.
2. On the Select the method to register this license page, indicate if you want to
perform Online registration via the Internet or Offline registration.
3. Select Next.
If you have a connection to the Internet, you will see a message when
registration is completed.
4. For offline registration, enter a file name to export the license information to local
disk and email it from a computer with Internet access to:
activate.keycode@falconstor.com
It is not necessary to write anything in the subject or body of the e-mail.
If your email is working correctly, you should receive a reply within a few
minutes.
5. When you receive a reply, save the attached signature file to the same local disk.
6. Enter the path to the saved file in step 5 and click Send to import the registration
signature file.

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Afterwards, you will see a message stating that the license was registered
successfully.

Note: If you get an RPC error message, it means the VTL console connection to
VTL Virtual Appliance has been broken. Reconnect to the server from the
console and restart the Register License Wizard to resume the operation.

Initial VTL Virtual Appliance setup is now complete. For information on configuring
backup server access; creating virtual tape libraries, tapes, and drives; and using
other VTLVA features, refer to the complete VTLVA User Guide.

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