Adding a Node Group

To manage your nodes better, you may organize them in node groups. To add a new node group, follow the procedure specific for the interface you are using.

For any cluster, it is highly recommended to create a separate node group.

Tip. It is advantageous to create a separate node group for nodes connected using Network Data Management Protocol (NDMP nodes). Although DPX does not prevent you from having node groups containing both NDMP and non-NDMP nodes, there are limitations placed on NDMP nodes that make it difficult to properly define backups and privileges for a mixed group.

Web interface

1. Go to Nodes in the sidebar. Switch to the Node Groups tab. Then select the Add Node Group button in the upper right corner.

The Add Node Group dialog will open.

1. Provide the Node Group Name. The name may only include alphanumeric characters (a-z, A-Z, 0-9), underscores (_) and hyphens (-). No other special characters are allowed. The name cannot be longer than 48 characters.

Note. No two node groups within the Enterprise can have the same name. Do not use the reserved string BMR.

1. Optionally, select a device cluster (or tape library) from the drop-down list.

   • A device cluster is a set of storage devices, such as tape drives. If there are no device clusters or tape libraries in the pull-down menu, you can edit the node group later to add one.

   • The device cluster you select here is the default backup destination for certain backup types of the nodes in the node group. During backups, DPX automatically chooses available devices in the default device cluster and prompts the operator for mounts.

   • When you define a backup, you can override this default device cluster and choose an individual destination device. However, it is usually preferable to accept the default device cluster and let DPX choose the destination device from that cluster.

   • For NDMP node groups, it is best to choose an NDMP device cluster. For non-NDMP node groups, it is best to choose a non-NDMP device cluster. You could choose a SAN device cluster for either if it has both NDMP and non-NDMP devices.

2. Optionally, select a media pool from the drop-down list.

   • A media pool is a grouping of media volumes, such as tape cartridges. If there are no media pools in the pull-down menu, you can edit the node group later to add one.

   • The media pool you select here is the default pool for nodes in the node group. You can override this default media pool when you define backups.

3. Optionally, you can add a brief Descripition (max. 48 characters).

4. Click Save. The Node Group is now added.

Desktop interface

1. Go to the Configure tab on the Function Tab bar, then click or right-click Enterprise.

2. Open the Add node group dialog in the right pane by doing one of the following:

   • Right-click the Enterprise name or icon to display a context menu. The selection check box will appear full next to the Enterprise icon, and the Edit Enterprise dialog will appear in the right pane. Then select Add Node Group.

   • In the left pane, select the Enterprise to which you want to add the node group.

     • From the menu bar, select Enterprise > Add Node Group.

     • On the task panel, click Add Node Group.

   The Add Node Group dialog appears in the right pane.

1. Complete the active fields in the Add Node Group dialog:

   • Group Name Enter a name for the node group (for example, SALES). You can use up to 48 alphanumeric characters, no spaces.

     Note. No two node groups within the Enterprise can have the same name. Do not use the reserved string BMR.

   • Device Cluster Name (optional) - Select a device cluster (or tape library) from the drop-down list. A device cluster is a set of storage devices, such as tape drives. If there are no device clusters or tape libraries in the pull-down menu, you can edit the node group later to add one. - The device cluster you select here is the default backup destination for certain backup types of the nodes in the node group. During backups, DPX automatically chooses available devices in the default device cluster and prompts the operator for mounts. - When you define a backup, you can override this default device cluster and choose an individual destination device. However, it is usually preferable to accept the default device cluster and let DPX choose the destination device from that device cluster. - For NDMP node groups, it is best to choose an NDMP device cluster. For non-NDMP node groups, it is best to choose a non-NDMP device cluster. You could choose a SAN device cluster for either if it has both NDMP and non-NDMP devices.

   • Media Pool Name (optional) Select a media pool from the pull-down menu. A media pool is a grouping of media volumes, such as tape cartridges. If there are no media pools in the pull-down menu, you can edit the node group later to add one. The media pool you select here is the default pool for nodes in the node group. You can override this default media pool when you define backups.

   • Comment Enter an optional comment (description) of up to 48 characters.

2. Select Add. The Node Group is now added to the Enterprise.