Creating a VMware ESXi extension (VIB) for Veeam Backup from Storage Snapshot with Cisco HyperFlex IOvisor processing

Challenge

This article contains instructions on how to create a VMware ESXi extension (VIB) for Veeams Backup from Storage Snapshot with Cisco HyperFlex IOvisor processing.

To achieve the optimal balancing within the Cisco HyperFlex data network at Backup from Storage Snapshot processing over NFS, it is needed to change the ESXi host firewalls. See more background information here.

One of the Methods to change the ESXi host firewall is by a newly created VIB file that can be created with help of the VMware VIB Author Software.
Please follow the next steps to create the VIB.

Solution

Create a VIB in SLES11

SLES11 can be downloaded here.
VMware VIB Author can be downloaded here.
All steps are performed as the root user from the root (/) directory.

1. Prepare SLES

zypper install python-lxml
zypper install python-urlgrabber

2. Install VIB Author

cd /tmp
rpm -ivh vmware-esx-vib-author-5.0.0-0.0.847598.i386.rpm
cd /

 3. Create File Directory

mkdir stage
mkdir stage/payloads
mkdir stage/payloads/payload1
mkdir stage/payloads/payload1/etc
mkdir stage/payloads/payload1/etc/vmware
mkdir stage/payloads/payload1/etc/vmware/firewall

4. Copy the required files to the folder tree
The "descriptor.xml" (link here) must be copied to /stage

descriptor.xml sample:
<vib version="5.0">
 
<type>bootbank</type>
<name>VeeamCiscoHXFirewall</name>
<version>1.0.0-0.0.1</version>
 
 <vendor>Veeam</vendor>
 <summary>Veeam Firewall rule for Cisco HyperFlex</summary>
 <description>Adds inbound ports required by Veeam</description>
 
 <relationships>
  <depends></depends>
  <conflicts/>
  <replaces/>
  <provides/>
  <compatibleWith/>
 </relationships>
 <software-tags>
 </software-tags>
 <system-requires>
  <maintenance-mode>false</maintenance-mode>
 </system-requires>
 <file-list>
  <file></file>
 </file-list>
 <acceptance-level>community</acceptance-level>
 <live-install-allowed>true</live-install-allowed>
 <live-remove-allowed>true</live-remove-allowed>
 <cimom-restart>false</cimom-restart>
 <stateless-ready>true</stateless-ready>
 <overlay>false</overlay>
 <payloads>
  <payload name="payload1" type="vgz"></payload>
 </payloads>
 
</vib>

The “VeeamCiscoHXFirewall.xml” <download link> must be copied to /stage/payloads/payload1/etc/vmware/firewall

The VeeamCiscoHXFirewall.xml for Cisco HX version < 2.5:
<ConfigRoot>
  <service id='9230'>
    <id>VeeamCiscoHXFirewall</id>
    <rule id='0000'>
      <direction>inbound</direction>
      <protocol>tcp</protocol>
      <porttype>dst</porttype>
      <port>
        <begin>0</begin>
        <end>65535</end>
      </port>
    </rule>
    <enabled>true</enabled>
    <required>false</required>           
  </service>
</ConfigRoot> 
 
The VeeamCiscoHXFirewall.xml for Cisco HX version >= 2.5:
<ConfigRoot>
       <service id='9230'>
              <id>VeeamCiscoHXFirewall</id>
              <rule id='0000'>
                <direction>inbound</direction>
                <protocol>tcp</protocol>
                <porttype>dst</porttype>
                <port>111</port>
              </rule>
              <rule id='0001'>
                <direction>inbound</direction>
                <protocol>tcp</protocol>
                <porttype>dst</porttype>
                <port>2049</port>
              </rule>
              <rule id='0002'>
                <direction>inbound</direction>
                <protocol>tcp</protocol>
                <porttype>dst</porttype>
                <port>2449</port>
              </rule>
       <enabled>true</enabled>
       <required>false</required>
       </service>
</ConfigRoot> 

5. Create the VIB using vibauthor:

vibauthor -C -t stage -v VeeamCiscoHXFirewall -f

6. Creation finished, ready for download
The VIB is now created and available in the root (/) directory. You can use the SCP client to download the VIB to your local operating system.

7. Install on ESXi

Install the Firewall VIB on ESXi:

Repeat the following steps on all Cisco HyperFlex nodes in your cluster.

a. Enable ssh and log in to your ESXi host using a ssh tool like PuTTY


b. Copy the VIB file to the ESXi host's tmp folder using HTTP or a SCP client


c. Install the VIB
Command:

esxcli software vib install -v /tmp/VeeamCiscoHXFirewall.vib -f

d. Verify that the VIB was installed
Command:

esxcli software vib list | grep 'Veeam'

e. Verify that the new firewall rule is active
Command:

esxcli network firewall ruleset list

Note: If the VIB installation fails, you may need to set the acceptance level to CommunitySupport and retry the installation.
Command:

esxcli software acceptance set --level=CommunitySupported

 Set the Veeam Proxy Servers

1. Enable allowed IP list for the new firewall rule
Command:

esxcli network firewall ruleset set -r "VeeamCiscoHXFirewall" -a false

2. Set the Veeam proxy server data network IP that is on the Hyperflex "Storage Controller Data Network"
Repeat the following command for each Veeam proxy server:

esxcli network firewall ruleset allowedip add -r "VeeamCiscoHXFirewall" -i "172.16.3.10"

3. Verify that the IPs are set
Command:

esxcli network firewall ruleset allowedip list | grep -v "All"

Note: Veeam recommends to set the IPs of each Veeam proxy server that is on the HyperFlex “Storage Controller Data Network” in the firewall rule. Otherwise the firewall rule is enabled for all incoming connections. Issue this command once per IP Address. It is important to use the IP Address on the “Storage Controller Data Network”, and not the public, or management IP address.

Check if everything is configured correctly

1. Check the Security Profile on the ESXi hosts


2. Check the VIB

esxcli software vib list | grep 'Veeam'

3. Check the ruleset

esxcli network firewall ruleset list

4. Check which Veeam Proxy IPs are assigned

esxcli network firewall ruleset allowedip list | grep -v "All"