Requirements

Before you configure a policy for alternate client backup, make sure the following have been done:

The client data must be configured as required by the snapshot method. The alternate client must have access to the snapshot devices (such as clones, mirrors, or replication disks).
For the FlashSnap and VVR snapshot methods, the following must be installed: VxVM 3.2 or later for UNIX, VxVM 4.0 or later for Linux and AIX, or VxVM 3.1 or later for Windows. Also, volumes must be configured over the primary host's disks. The VxVM FlashSnap or VVR license must also be installed.
User and group identification numbers (UIDs and GIDs) for the files to back up must be available to the primary client and the alternate client.
Alternate client backup on Windows does not support incremental backups that are based on archive bit. Instead, use incremental backups that are based on time-stamp.
The primary client and alternate client must run the same version of NetBackup. For example, the use of a later version of NetBackup on the primary client and an earlier version on the alternate client is not supported.
The primary client and alternate client must run the same operating system, volume manager, and file system. For each of these I/O system components, the alternate client must be at the same level as the primary client, or higher level.

Table: Alternate client requirements lists the supported configurations.

Table: Alternate client requirements

If primary client is:

Alternate client must be:

Windows

Windows, at same level as primary client or higher

Solaris

Solaris, at same level as primary client or higher

HP, at same level as primary client or higher

AIX

AIX, at same level as primary client or higher

Red Hat

Red Hat, at same level as primary client or higher

SUSE

SUSE, at same level as primary client or higher

VxFS 3.4 or later (VxFS 3.3 for HP, VxFS 4.0 for AIX and Linux)

VxFS, at same level as primary client or higher

VxVM 3.2 or later (UNIX)

VxVM 3.1 or later (Windows)

VxVM, at same level as primary client or higher.

Note:

for VVR method, the alternate client must be at exactly the same level as primary client.

For VxVM on Windows, use VxVM 3.1 or later with all the latest VxVM service packs and updates.