Hyper-v 3 (2012) connecting to a SAS Tape Auto Loader

How does it handle the passthrough etc?

I have no idea how or if hyperv3 can do pass-through like ESX can.  But I do know that the card in the 385 absolutely will not work for a tape, even if you were running vmware, so you are wasting your time even trying with that controller.

That i best I can offer you. So look in the docs to see if you can do direct pass-through in Hyper-V3, like you can in ESX, or hope an expert familiar with Hyperv3 can help with controller pass-through question to get you the rest of the information you need.  Obviously don't buy anything until you have the answer.

I know very little about Hyper-v.

Is there a way to make it show up in the parent hyper visor?

Is it possible to install software on the parent hyper visor?

I would be looking at buying a PCIe or PCI SAS card, are there any recommendations?

How does Hyper-v work?


Is it like ESX, where you install the Hyper Visor and Guest OS.  Or do you Install Windows 2012 and enable it as feature.

As if its the latter can the parent HOST run Backup Exec?


I've not got a SAS card in the server, I'll be buying one.

Thanks, much appriciated

Look at the MSFT HCL list for SAS JBOD controllers that are approved.  But I would be astounded if they don't support the standard LSI SAS controllers like the 38xx or 34xx family controllers (make sure JBOD) you can get on ebay for $20-50.

You want to make sure it is listed as a JBOD controller or sometimes a HBA.  Do not get one with built-in RAID, like the megaraid or 3ware family.

I've never used Hyper-v before.  How does it work.

Can I install a Windows 2008 R2 and enable Hyper v, and use the host (parent) OS to run Backup Exec?

The main thing I am looking for is not to tie up a high powered server to just run the backups.

You would use the same server hardware to run your VMs and do the backups.

Here is a link to the Microsoft page describing all things Hyper-V. To load Hyper-V, you load Windows 2012 on your server hardware, and then enable Hyper-V under Roles.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/dd448604.aspx

I though Hyper-v was similar to ESX.  i.e. no parent OS

Sorry, to clarify I can:

*  Install 2008 R2
*  Install Symantec Backup Exec 2010
*  Connect a SAS Tape AutoLoader
*  Configure Backup Exec to use the AutoLoader

Then enable Hyper-v role and the parent OS will still run as normal?


If this is the case, I can use any SAS can, right?

Hyper-v is like ESXi in that it is a type 1 bare metal hypervisor, but you still have a full OS loaded in the parent partition. I suggest that you start by loading Windows 2012 on the server (you bought it, why would you load 2008 R2?), enable Hyper-V, and then load Backup Exec. Yes, the parent will still run as normal.

Thanks that clears a lot of confusion up.