Using the Central Admin Server feature with Microsoft clusters and a storage area network

Last published : Apr 02, 2026
Managed Backup Exec servers can be clustered. However, this configuration is not recommended because the central administration server recovers all failed jobs in a distributed job environment.
The following configurations can be used when installing Backup Exec clusters with the Central Admin Server feature (CAS).
  • Backup Exec cluster with CAS
  • Backup Exec cluster with the managed Backup Exec server configuration
To install Backup Exec in a Microsoft cluster with CAS
  1. Install Backup Exec with CAS and any additional features onto your Microsoft cluster nodes.
  2. From the node that you want to designate as the active node, start Backup Exec.
  3. Click the Backup Exec button, select Configuration and Settings , and then select Cluster Configuration Wizard..
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen.
  5. When the Cluster Configuration Wizard completes, install the managed Backup Exec server. Use the virtual Backup Exec cluster name when prompted for the central administration server.
To install Backup Exec in a Microsoft cluster with the managed Backup Exec server configuration
  1. Install Backup Exec with the managed Backup Exec server feature and any additional features onto your Microsoft cluster nodes.
All nodes that run Backup Exec in the Microsoft cluster configuration must access the same central administration server. If the nodes do not access the same central administration server, failovers do not occur properly.
  1. From the node that you want to designate as the active node, start Backup Exec.
  2. Click the Backup Exec button, select Configuration and Settings , and then select Cluster Configuration Wizard.
  3. Follow the instructions on the screen.
See About backing up Microsoft Cluster Servers.