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Veritas NetBackup™ Security and Encryption Guide

Last Published: 2020-09-13

Product(s): NetBackup & Alta Data Protection (8.3.0.1, 8.3)

Multi-datacenter with NBAC complete

The multi-datacenter with NBAC complete example is defined as a medium to large group of hosts (greater than 50) that span two or more geographic regions and can be connected by a Wide Area Network (WAN). In this example, one datacenter is in London and the other datacenter is in Tokyo. Both datacenters are connected through a dedicated WAN connection.

This environment is very similar to the multi-datacenter with NBAC master and media server. The main differences are that all hosts participating in the NetBackup environment are reliably identified using credentials and non-root administrators can manage the NetBackup clients based on configurable levels of access. Note that user identities may exist in global repositories such as Active Directory in Windows or NIS in UNIX. Identities can also exist in local repositories (UNIX passwd, local Windows domain) on those hosts supporting an authentication broker.

The multi-datacenter with NBAC complete includes the following highlights:

NetBackup spans two or more geographic regions through a WAN
Similar to highlights for multi-datacenter with NBAC master and media server except for root or administrator on client. The non-root administration of clients and servers is permitted in this configuration.
On client systems, non-root / administrator users can be configured to perform local backup and restores (setup by default)
The environment facilitates trusted identification of all hosts participating in NetBackup
Requires all hosts to be at NetBackup version 7.7 or later.

Figure: Multi-datacenter with NBAC complete shows an example multi-datacenter with NBAC complete.

Figure: Multi-datacenter with NBAC complete

The following table describes the NetBackup parts that are used for a multi-datacenter with NBAC complete implemented.

Table: NetBackup parts used for a multi-datacenter with NBAC complete implemented

Part	Description
London datacenter	Specifies that the London datacenter contains the root broker, authentication broker 1, GUI 1, authorization engine, master server, media server 1, and clients 1 and 5. The London datacenter also contains the unencrypted data tape for clients 1, 5, and 10. The London datacenter connects to the Tokyo datacenter through a dedicated WAN connection.
Tokyo datacenter	Specifies that the Tokyo datacenter contains the authentication broker 2, GUI 2, media server 2, and clients 10 and 11. The Tokyo datacenter also contains the unencrypted data tape for clients 10 and 11. The Tokyo datacenter connects to the London datacenter through a dedicated WAN connection.
Wide Area Network (WAN)	Specifies that the dedicated WAN link connects the London datacenter with the Tokyo datacenter. The WAN provides connectivity between the root broker and authentication broker 1 and authentication broker 2. In addition, the WAN provides connectivity between the root broker and authentication broker 1 and GUI 2 along with media server 2. The WAN connects the authorization engine to media server 2. The WAN connects the master server to GUI 2, media server 2, and clients 10 and 11. Finally the WAN connects media server 1 to client 10.
Master server	Specifies that the master server, located in the London datacenter, communicates with the root broker and authentication broker 1. It also communicates with GUI 1, authorization engine, and media server 1. The master server further communicates with GUI 2 and media server 2, and clients 10 and 11 in Tokyo.
Media servers	Specifies that in this multi-datacenter example there are two media servers. Media server 1 is located in the London datacenter and media server 2 is located in the Tokyo datacenter. In London, media server 1 communicates with the master server, root broker and authentication broker 1, authorization engine, and clients 1, 5, and 10. Media server 1 writes unencrypted data to tape for clients 1, 5, and 10. In Tokyo, media server 2 communicates with the master server, root broker, and authentication broker 1 and authorization engine in London through the WAN. Media server 2 also communicates with GUI 2, and clients 10 and 11 in Tokyo. Media server 2 writes unencrypted data to tape for clients 10 and 11.
GUIs	Specifies that in this multi-datacenter example, there are two GUIs. GUI 1 is in London and GUI 2 is in Tokyo. These remote administration console GUIs receive credentials from the authentication brokers. The GUIs then use the credentials to gain access to functionality on the media servers and master servers. In London, GUI 1 receives a credential from authentication broker 1. GUI 1 has access to functionality on the master server and media servers 1 and 2. In Tokyo, GUI 2 receives a credential from the authentication broker 2. GUI 2 has access to functionality on the master server and media servers 1 and 2.
Root broker	Specifies that there is only one root broker required in a multi-datacenter installation. Sometimes the root broker is combined with the authentication broker. In this example the root broker and authentication broker are shown as the same component and are located in the London datacenter. In London, the root broker authenticates the authentication broker 1, also in London, and authentication broker 2 in Tokyo. The root broker does not authenticate clients.
Authentication brokers	Specifies that there can be more than one authentication broker in a datacenter installation. Sometimes the authentication broker can be combined with the root broker. In this datacenter installation, there are two authentication brokers. The authentication broker authenticates the master server, media server, GUI, and clients by establishing credentials with each. The authentication broker also authenticates a user through a command prompt. In London, authentication broker 1 authenticates a credential with the master server, media server 1, GUI 1, and clients 1 and 5. All NetBackup servers and clients in Tokyo and London authenticate to authentication broker 1 in London. GUI 1 authenticates to authentication broker 1 in London. GUI 2 authenticates to authentication broker 2 in Tokyo.
Authorization engine	Specifies that there is only one authorization engine required in a datacenter installation. The authorization engine communicates with the master server and media server to determine permissions of an authenticated user. These permissions determine the functionality available to the user. The authorization engine also stores user groups and permissions. The authorization engine resides in London and communicates with the master server, and media server 1. The authorization engine also communicates over the WAN to authorize access to media server 2 in Tokyo. Note: The authorization engine resides on the master server as a daemon process. It is shown in the figure as a separate image for example only.
Tapes	Specifies that the unencrypted data tapes are produced in both the London and Tokyo datacenters. In London, the unencrypted tape is written for clients 1, 5 and 10 and stored on-site at the London datacenter. In Tokyo, the unencrypted tape is written for clients 10 and 11 and stored on-site at the Tokyo datacenter. Note that even though client 10 is located in Tokyo and is backed up in Tokyo, client 10 is also backed up in London.
Clients	Specifies that the clients are located in both the London and Tokyo datacenters. In London, client 1 is a standard NetBackup type. Client 5 is a Web server type located in the DMZ. All client types can be managed by the master server and have their data backed up to tape through media server 1. Client 5 communicates to NetBackup using NetBackup only ports through the internal firewall. Client 5 also receives connections from the Internet using HTTP only ports through the external firewall. In Tokyo, client 10 is a standard NetBackup type. Client 11 is a Web server type located in the DMZ. All client types can be managed by the master server and have their data backed up to tape through media server 2. Client 11 communicates to NetBackup using NetBackup only ports through the internal firewall. Client 11 also receives connections from the Internet using HTTP only ports through the external firewall
Internal firewalls	Specifies that there can be two internal firewalls in this multi-datacenter example. One internal firewall is located in London and the other is located in Tokyo. In London, the internal firewall lets NetBackup access Web server client 5 in the DMZ. In Tokyo, the internal firewall lets NetBackup access Web server client 11 in the DMZ. Only selected NetBackup ports and possibly other application ports are enabled for data communication through the internal firewall and into and out of the DMZ. HTTP ports that are open in the external firewall are not allowed to pass through the internal firewall.
Demilitarized Zones (DMZs)	Specifies that there can be two DMZs in this multi-datacenter example. One DMZ is located in London and the other is located in Tokyo. In London, the DMZ provides a "safe" area of operation for the Web server client 5 that exists between the internal firewall and external firewall. The Web server client 5 in the DMZ can communicate to NetBackup through the internal firewall using designated NetBackup ports. The Web server client 5 can also communicate through the external firewall to the Internet using only HTTP ports. In Tokyo, the DMZ provides a "safe" area of operation for the Web server client 11 that exists between the internal firewall and external firewall. The Web server client 11 in the DMZ can communicate to NetBackup through the internal firewall using designated NetBackup ports. The Web server client 11 can also communicate through the external firewall to the Internet using only HTTP ports.
External firewalls	Specifies that there can be two external firewalls in this multi-datacenter example. One external firewall is located in London and the other is located in Tokyo. In London, the external firewall lets external users access the Web server client 5 located in the DMZ from the Internet over HTTP ports. NetBackup ports are open for Web server client 5 to communicate through the internal firewall to NetBackup. The NetBackup ports are not allowed to pass through the external firewall to the Internet. Only the HTTP ports of Web server client 5 can pass through the external firewall to the Internet. In Tokyo, the external firewall lets external users access the Web server client 11 located in the DMZ from the Internet over HTTP ports. NetBackup ports are open for Web server client 11 to communicate through the internal firewall to NetBackup. The NetBackup ports are not allowed to pass through the external firewall to the Internet. Only the HTTP ports of Web server client 11 can pass through the external firewall to the Internet.
Internet	Specifies that there can be only one Internet but there are two Internet connections in this multi-datacenter example. One Internet connection is located in London and the other is located in Tokyo. The Internet is a collection of interconnected computer networks that are linked by copper wires, fiber-optic cables and wireless connections. In London, the Web server client 5 can communicate over the Internet using HTTP ports through the external firewall. In Tokyo, the Web server client 11 can communicate over the Internet using HTTP ports through the external firewall.