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Dear Team,

 

We are planning to upgrade to a new CommCell server with an updated Commvault license.

The current CommServe is a physical server running on Windows Server 2012, functioning as both the CommServe (CS) and Media Agent (MA) and additionally the commvault license End of support.

As part of the upgrade:

  • We will deploy a new virtual machine with the latest Windows OS to serve as a dedicated CommServe.

  • A new physical server running Oracle Linux OS will be provisioned as the Media Agent.

Kindly advise us on the best practices for deploying and upgrading the backup infrastructure in this scenario.

Thank you for your support.

 

Regards,

Mani D

 

Hi ​@Manics.mca ,

Your current CommServe is hosted on a physical server that also functions as a Media Agent, running on Windows Server 2012, which is now end-of-life (EOL).

As part of your upgrade plan, you intend to deploy a new virtual machine for the CommServe and set up a dedicated Media Agent on a Linux-based server.

This upgrade involves below steps:

1. CommServe Hardware Refresh and Role Separation: The first step is to transition the CommServe to a new virtual platform while separating the Media Agent role from the CommServe machine.

Deploy the new CommServe on a virtual machine with the latest Windows OS. Ensure that the system meets the CommServe Server: System Requirements (Windows).

2. Media Agent Hardware Refresh: Since the current CS also serves as a Media Agent, you will need to install the Media Agent software on the new Linux server. Ensure that it meets the hardware specifications for deduplication mode as outlined in the Hardware Specifications for Deduplication Mode & MediaAgent Hardware Refresh - Overview & MediaAgent - System Requirements

 Additionally, ensure that all associated components—such as storage libraries, deduplication databases (DDBs), and indexes—are properly moved to the new Media Agent. Ensure that Libraries are accessible from your CS and new Linux MA. Please go through the below documentation.


3. CommServe Migration : Once the Media Agent transition is complete, you can proceed with migrating the CommServe to the new virtual machine. Please refer to the official Commvault documentation for the CommServe hardware refresh and migration process.

Before starting, request a new license file for the new CommServe host. Ensure that a Disaster Recovery (DR) backup is taken from the current CommServe. Use the CSRecoveryAssistantTool to restore the DR backup on the new virtual machine. Reference documentations below


CommServe Hardware Refresh Overview : https://documentation.commvault.com/v11/expert/commserve_hardware_refresh_overview.html

Planning CommCell Deployment : https://documentation.commvault.com/2024e/expert/planning_commcell_deployment.html

Regards,
Dheeraj


You are effectively doing what is known as a hardware refresh, please check the following documentation describing all steps involved.

 

https://documentation.commvault.com/2024e/expert/commserve_upgrade_with_hardware_refresh_overview.html


I'm surprised, and a kind of shocked, to see customers running on ancient unsupported versions. Good luck with your adventure to upgrade from V10 to the latest version. I'm curious to learn if the CSRecoveryAssistantTool will work properly. Anyhow please make sure you test it out carefully. 


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