Moving clients from one server to another

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To avoid running out of space on a server or to resolve workload issues, you might have to move client nodes from one server to another.

Before you begin

Plan the capacity for your solution to ensure that you have enough space for client nodes on the server. Allow enough space for future growth of workloads.

About this task

When you move the client nodes, you can leave their existing backups on the original server to expire according to your expiration policy, or export their backups to the new server.

Procedure

To move a client node to another server, complete the following steps:

  1. Replicate the client node data to a target replication server by using replication storage rules or export the client node directly to a new server by using the EXPORT NODE command.
    Tip: Replicating data by using replication storage rules has some advantages over using the EXPORT NODEcommand. For example, replication storage rules help to support enhanced protection of data and provide the ability to configure replication operations with a high degree of flexibility and granularity. For more information, see Replicating client data by using replication storage rules.
  2. Update the client options file with the new server name.
  3. On the new server, assign a schedule for the client node to back up data:
    1. On the Operations Center Clients page, select the client node.
    2. Click More > Schedule Association.
    3. Select the checkbox in the schedule row to which you want to assign the selected client node.
    4. Click Save.
  4. Run the replication storage rule or issue the EXPORT NODE command again to incrementally copy data from the original server to the new server. By incrementally coping data, you copy data that was backed up between the first export process and the time when you assigned a schedule to the client node.
  5. Monitor the client node to ensure that it is backing up data according to the schedule that you set and to monitor whether the client node is at risk. Hover over Clients and click Schedules.
  6. Decommission the client node from the original server by completing the following steps:
    1. On the Operations Center Overview page, click Clients.
    2. In the Clients table, select the client node.
    3. Click More > Decommission.
    The client node is removed from the original server. As the data expires, as specified in your policy settings, the client node data is deleted. After the client node data is deleted, the client is removed from the server.