About upgrading from previous versions of Backup Exec

You can use the Backup Exec installation media to upgrade from Backup Exec version 11d and later to the current version. No separate upgrade utility is necessary. The current version of Backup Exec replaces any previous versions. Separate installations of different versions cannot exist on the same computer. Most settings and all catalogs and all data directories from previous versions of Backup Exec are kept, unless you choose to remove them. Backup Exc 2010 R2 can read and restore data from any previous version of Backup Exec or Backup Exec for NetWare, except where Symantec has made end-of-life decisions.

When you upgrade, Backup Exec automatically converts your existing definitions, configurations, and jobs to the current version. If any aspect of the data migration fails, then Backup Exec displays an error message stating that the upgrade did not complete successfully. Backup Exec provides you with the choice to either return to the previous version of Backup Exec or to continue with the upgrade. If you choose to continue with the upgrade, then devices, media, and jobs are not migrated from the previous version of Backup Exec.

Backup Exec 2010 R2 provides backward compatibility as follows:

  • Backup Exec 2010 R2 can communicate with Backup Exec 12 Remote Agent for Windows Systems and later.

  • Backup Exec 2010 R2 can communicate with Backup Exec for NetWare 9.2 Remote Agent.

  • Backup Exec 2010 R2 Central Admin Server Option server can communicate with Backup Exec 12.5 (with the appropriate patch) or Backup Exec 2010 (with the appropriate patch) for the purpose of rolling upgrades.

  • Backup Exec 2010 R2 Command Line Applet is compatible with Backup Exec 12 and later.

A Backup Exec 2010 R2 Remote Administration Console can manage media servers on which Backup Exec version 11d and later is installed. However, if the media server uses a previous version of Backup Exec, you cannot use any of the new features of the current version. If you want to use the features of the current version, you must use the current version on both the Remote Administration Console and the media server. A Remote Administration Console that uses a previous version of Backup Exec cannot be used with a media server on which the current version is installed. For example, a Backup Exec 2010 Remote Administration Console cannot manage a Backup Exec 2010 R2 media server. However, a Backup Exec 2010 R2 Remote Administration Console is backward-compatible with a Backup Exec 2010 Remote Administration Console.

Before you upgrade Backup Exec, do the following:

  • Delete the job histories and the catalogs that you no longer need to shorten the upgrade window.

  • Run a database maintenance job.

  • Upgrade any existing instances of SQL Server 2000 to either SQL Server 2005 with SP3 or to SQL Server 2008.

You cannot change the configuration of your media servers during an installation. For example, you cannot change a central administration server to a managed media server. If you want to change the configuration of your media servers, do it either before or after you upgrade to the current version. You cannot change the database location during the upgrade process. If you want to change the database location after the upgrade, use BEUtility.

To upgrade the options that are installed on remote computers, you must reinstall them. Options that are push-installed are not upgraded until you reinstall them. The Remote Agent for Windows Systems and the Advanced Open File Option are push-installed.

Note:

If you upgrade from a previous version of Backup Exec that uses a non-English version of Windows, you must download the SQL Express SP3 setup file for that language from the Microsoft Web site.

More Information

Installing a typical installation of Backup Exec

Installing a custom installation of Backup Exec

About upgrading from previous versions of Backup Exec