This article describes how to back up and restore NetScaler SDX 11.0.

Background

In prior NetScaler software builds (10.5 and 10.1 version) backup and restore of SDX appliance was a very tedious process as SDX consisted of multiple components like - XenServer (its hot fixes and supplemental packages), SVM, and NetScaler Instances.

In NetScaler version 11.0 backup and restore functionality has been improved to make it user/admin friendly and simple. The restore of the NetScaler SDX appliance can be completed in a single-step process by the user. This reduces the user intervention during the restore operation and reduces the errors. To achieve this objective, the multiple steps involved in the current restore process is merged into a single-step process. So the operations like - upgrade of XenServer and SVM, Installation of supplemental pack, and hotfixes are included in the restore operation.

Instructions

NetScaler SDX Back up Procedure

1. Backup configuration from SDX.
   
   Using GUI:
   =========
   SDX backup operation can be started from by navigating to Configuration > Management Service > Backup Files.
   
   Using CLI:
   ========
    Login to SVM and execute the below command:
   > add backup backup_password=nsroot
   Done
   >

   • Backup collects the Single bundle corresponding to the current version.
   • Collects XVA/Upgrade image files required to provision the instances.For more information refer to Citrix Documentation - Single Bundle Upgrade.

2. Download the backup file from SVM.
   Note: SVM also collects the backup every night.

3. Make a note of SVM IP address of the SDX appliance.

NetScaler SDX Restore Procedure

1. Connect to SDX on the 192.168.100.0/24 network or a serial console to perform initial configuration. Configure the previously configured SVM IP on the SDX.
2. Upgrade SVM to the version which supports the new restore process. This step is not required if the SDX factory image is from the new SVM version.
3. Apply license for SDX.
4. Initiates the restore operation from the backup file.
5. Restore process verifies whether required single bundle file are available in either backup file or SVM. You will be informed about the missing single bundle file before starting restore operation. You can upload the missing files and can restart the restore operation.
6. Restore process starts with single bundle upgrade if current system is older than the backed up version. Single bundle will install/upgrade below components sequentially.
   1. Upgrades SVM
   2. Upgrades XenServer
   3. Installs the supplemental packs and hot fixes.
   4. Restores the SDX configuration that was backed up.
   5. Provision and restore NetScaler configurations.

NetScaler SDX Back up and Restore Procedure Explained with an Example

Consider a NetScaler SDX appliance 11.0 with 10 instances provisioned on it. If an admin initiates a back up, the backup file will contain the following:

• SDX single bundle image (consists of XenServer Image, Hotfixes and Supplementary Packs of SDX appliance)
• NetScaler XVA files 
• NetScaler Upgrade files
• SDX configuration (Meta data about instances and configurations)
• SVM Image

If the SDX device crashes and is replaced by a new device from factory, the admin has to complete the following steps to restore NetScaler SDX:

• Get a new license file for the new NetScaler SDX appliance and upload it to the appliance .
• Configure SVM IP of the SDX appliance.
• Make Sure SVM version is 11.0.
• Upload the backup file and initiate a restore.

The new restore functionality in NetScaler SDX 11.0 will take care of upgrading the XenServer image, hot fixes, supplemental packs and provisioning the NetScaler instances with their original states.