How to install the Backup Exec Agent for Windows (a.k.a. Remote Agent, AWS, RAWS)

Problem

This article provides instructions for installing the Backup Exec Agent for Windows on a remote machine.

The Remote Agent for Windows Servers (RAWS) has been renamed to Agent for Windows (AWS) in Backup Exec 15 and above.

Error Message

UMI Code: V-225-285

Solution

Click on the desired method to see the installation instructions for the Agent for Windows Systems (AWS):

Automated (Push) Installation (to be performed from the Backup Exec media server).

Local (manual) installation (to be performed on each remote machine).
In Backup Exec, it is possible to install the Agent for Windows locally with a Graphical User Interface (GUI).

Silent (command line) installation (to be performed on each remote machine).
Command line scripts setupaa.cmd (OS 32-bit) and setupaax64.cmd (OS 64-bit) for a command line installation.

Automated (Push) Installation of Backup Exec Agent for Windows

There are two methods to perform an Automated (Push) installation of the Agent for Windows:

From the Backup and Restore tab (recommended):

1. Open the Backup Exec console - go to the Backup and Restore tab.
    
2. Select Add (from the ribbon menu) - select Microsoft Windows computer - click Next.
    
3. Select 'Allow Backup Exec to establish a trust with the servers.' - click Next.
    
4. Browse / Add a server name(s) - then click Next.
    
5. Select/Add a System logon account - click Next.
    
6. Select "Upgrade the Veritas Backup Exec Agent for windows to the current version automatically" (if Agent for Windows is not installed/up to date).
   
   Note: 'Restart the remote computer automatically after installing the Veritas Backup Exec Agent for Windows when a restart is required' should only be selected if down time has been planned or is not problematic for the target server(s).
    
7. Click Install to begin setup.
    
8. Click Finish to complete the installation..

By clicking on the Backup Exec button:

1. Open the Backup Exec console on the media server.
    
2. Click on the round Backup Exec button which is located to the left of the Home tab.
    
3. Go to Installation and Licensing - select Install Agents and Backup Exec Servers on Other Servers.
    
4. On the Remote Computers section - select Add
   • Choose Add a Single Computer (if remote agent needs to be installed on only one machine).
     
     OR
      
   • Choose Add Multiple Computers with the Same Settings (to select multiple servers for remote agent installation).
     
     Note: The box Save the server list for future remote install sessions enables the names of all of the remote computers and their credentials to be added automatically the next time Backup Exec or any of its options need to be installed to these remote computers.
      
5. On the Select the Remote Product screen - select Agent for Windows and click Next.
    
6. On the Add Single Computer / Choose Remote Computers screen:
   1. When selecting Add a Single Computer:
      1. Enter the Remote Computer name / select Browse Remote Computers to select a remote machine.
          
      2. Enter the Remote computer credentials (type the user name and password of an account that has administrative rights on the server).
          
      3. Click Next.
      
      OR
       
   2. When Selecting Add Multiple Computers with the Same Settings
      1. Enter the Remote computer name / Browse to select a remote computer - click on Add to List
         
         NOTE: Repeat the above steps to select multiple servers for remote agent installation.
          
      2. Enter the Remote Install Credentials (type the user name and password of the account that has administrative rights on the servers).
          
      3. Click Next.
          
7. The destination location for Remote Agent install files can be changed under the Destination Folder section if required.
    
8. On the Remote Agent Publishing screen:
   1. Check the box which says 'Enable remote agent to publish the IP address and name of the remote computer and the version of the Remote Agent to media server'.
       
   2. Click Add and enter the Media Server name or IP address (or both) and press OK.
       
   3. Click Next.
       
9. Click Next when the screen shows Ready to install the Agent for Windows beside the server name(s).
    
10. Click Install to begin the installation.
     
11. Wait for the installation to complete and click Finish.
     
12. An SSL trust relationship will need to be established after a manual installation of the Agent for Windows. This is explained in the following article:
    
    How to establish trust for remote servers in Backup Exec 15 and above

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Local (manual) installation using the GUI method

When automated (push) installation of the AWS fails it may be necessary to perform a local installation.
Listed below are two methods to perform a Local (manual) installation of Agent for Windows:

Using the RAWS32/RAWSX64 folder located on Backup Exec media server (recommended):

1. Copy the Agents folder which includes the "RAWS32 or RAWSX64", DotNetFx, VCRedist, and MSXML (if it exists) folders, from the Media Server to a drive on a remote computer.
   
   NOTE: The default path for the above mentioned folder is 'X:\Program Files\Symantec\Backup Exec\Agents'  or 'X:\Program Files\Veritas\Backup Exec\Agents" ('X' is the drive letter where Backup Exec is installed.)
   
   For Remote Agent installation on:
   • 32-bit system: Use the RAWS32 folder.
   • 64-bit system: Use the RAWSX64 folder.
      
2. Go to the remote computer and open the RAWS32 or RAWSX64 directory which was copied from the media server.
    
3. Run  Setup.exe
   Note: It is also recommended to right-click on the Setup.exe file and select 'Run as Administrator' to avoid any access issues during the installation process. Turn off User Access Control (UAC) for Windows 2008, Vista or 7.
4.  
5. Click Next on the Welcome screen.
    
6. Select Local Install and click Next.
    
7. Select 'Agent for Windows' - click Next.
   
   Note: The destination location for the Remote Agent install files can be changed if desired by clicking on the 'Change' button.
    
8. On the Remote Agent publishing screen:
   1. Check the box which says 'Enable remote agent to publish the IP address and name of the remote computer and the version of the Remote Agent to media server'.
       
   2. Click Add and enter the Media Server name or IP address (or both) and press OK.
       
   3. Click Next.
       
9. Click Install to begin the installation.
    
10. Wait for the Installation to complete and click Finish.
     
11. An SSL trust will need to be established after a manual installation of Agent for Windows. This is explained in the article below:
    
    How to establish trust for remote servers in Backup Exec 15 and above

Click here to go back to top.

Silent (command line) Installation

1. Copy the Agents folder from the Backup Exec media server's installation folder (by default located in C:\Program Files\Symantec\Backup Exec\Agents on the media server or C:/Program Files/Veritas/Backup Exec/Agents) to the root of the C: drive on the remote server.  Verify it contains the folders "RAWS32 or RAWSX64", DotNetFx, VCRedist, and MSXML (if it exists).  To perform the steps below, you will be using these following folders:
   • RAWS32: For a 32-bit (x86) Windows System.
   • RAWSX64: For a 64-bit Windows System.
2. On the remote server, go to the command prompt (click Start - Run - cmd):
   1. Browse to the RAWS folder which was copied on the local drive using DOS commands.
       
   2. In the command prompt window type setupaa.cmd (for 32-bit OS) or setupaax64.cmd (for 64-bit OS) and press enter to install Agent for Windows.
      
      Note: Installation of AOFO is no longer required. If the operating system is Windows Server 2003 or above, it will use the Microsoft VSS provider for the Advanced Open File Option.
   OR

2. On the remote server, open the RAWS folder which was copied on the local drive:
   1. Double-click on setupaa.cmd (for 32-bit OS) or setupaax64.cmd (for 64-bit OS) to install Agent for Windows.
      
      Note: On Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista or Windows 7, right-click on Setupaa.cmd and select Run as administrator.
      
      Installation of AOFO is no longer required. If the operating system is Windows Server 2003 or above, it will use the Microsoft VSS provider for the Advanced Option File Option.
       
   2. The command prompt will appear blank for a period between a few seconds and a couple of minutes while the remote agent installs.
       
   3. Once completed, the command prompt cursor will appear awaiting further input.
      1. To check if the Agent for Windows was installed: Go to the Windows services console (Start - Run - Services.msc), and see if the Backup Exec Remote Agent for Windows service is present and started.
          
      2. An SSL trust will need to be established after a manual installation of the Agent for Windows. This is explained in the article below:
         
         How to establish trust for remote servers in Backup Exec 15 and above

Click here to go back to top.