StarWind VTL Linux deployment - pt.1

StarWind VTL Linux is a software solution by StarWind that simplifies data protection strategies relying on tape backup processes.

The VTL solution is commonly used to streamline backup management and enhance data retention policies without the need for physical tapes.

 

Blog series

StarWind VTL Linux deployment - pt.1
StarWind VTL Linux configuration - pt.2
StarWind VTL Linux setup VTL device - pt.3

 

Prerequisites

To run StarWind VTL Linux, the system must meet the following minimum system requirements:

• vCPU:  4 minimum
• RAM:  8GB minimum
• Storage:  30GB OS, xxGB storage (thick-provisioned)
• BIOS:  Legacy boot mode
• NIC:  100 MbE or higher
• Hypervisor:  ESXi 6.5 or later, Hyper-V 2016 or later, Proxmox VE 7.4 or later

 

Install StarWind VTL Linux

From StarWind website, download the required ISO file.

 

Create a new VM in vSphere

From the vSphere client, right click the cluster object and select New Virtual Machine.

Select Create a new virtual machine and click Next.

Specify the Virtual machine name and the location then click Next.

Select a compute resource and click Next.

Select the storage to use and click Next.

Specify the Compatible with and click Next.

Select the Guest OS Family and Version. Click Next.

Configure the appropriated hardware settings based on the requirements.

In the VM Options tab, make sure the Firmware type is BIOS and enable the Force BIOS setup option.

Click Finish.

Power on the created VM to begin the OS installation.

 

Install StarWind VTL

When the first boot is completed, select Accept to accept the EULA. Press Enter.

Select Install StarWind Appliance and press Enter to proceed with the installation.

Select the disk to install the StarWind Appliance and press Enter.

Type yes to confirm then press Enter.

The appliance is being installed.

After a few minutes the installation is completed. Select Restart and press Enter.

The appliance is rebooted.

 

Configure the network settings

When the appliance is rebooted, press Enter to open the console.

Enter User name and Password to configure the appliance. Default credentials are the following:

User name: user
Password: rds123RDS

Press Enter.

Select Configure Management Network and press Enter.

Press Enter to modify the configuration.

Select the NIC to configure and press Enter.

Configure the network settings and press Enter to apply.

Configured network settings are updated.

Press Enter.

 

Configure the StarWind Appliance

Using a supported browser, enter the URL https://<StarWind_IP_Address> and click Start.

Click Upload file to apply the license. Click Next.

Accept the EULA and click Next.

Adjust the Management network if needed (in  the example, the NTP server has been added) then click Next.

Specify the Hostname for the appliance. Click Next.

Specify Username and Password for the Administrator account. Click Next.

Click Configure.

The configuration is being applied.

Click Finish to exit the window.

 

Access the appliance

Enter the previously created administrative credentials and click Sign in.

The StarWind Appliance's Dashboard.

The installation of the StarWind VTL Linux is now complete. Part 2 will cover the configuration of the appliance.