2. NetWorker processes/daemons

Overview

This tutorial/demo explains the main daemons (processes) used by Dell/EMC NetWorker, what each one does, and how to list, start, and stop NetWorker services on Linux (systemd and init.d) and Windows. The demo uses a server that contains all roles to show service management across environments.

NetWorker roles

• Client — the machine being backed up (runs the remote execution daemon).
• Storage node — a machine that provides backup device access (acts as both client and storage node).
• Master/server — the backup server that provides server and storage components and orchestrates backups.

Key NetWorker daemons and responsibilities

nsrexecd (Networker Remote Execution Daemon)

• Runs on clients to accept and execute remote requests from the server (used to initiate backups and recoveries).
• Negotiates RPC ports for NetWorker communication (video notes a default RPC port range).

nsrsnmd (Networker Storage Node Management Daemon)

• Runs on storage nodes to provide RPC-based device management services.
• Ensures device operations are performed for nsrd.

nsrmmd (Networker Media Multiplexing Daemon)

• Runs on storage nodes to read/write backup data to devices or volumes.
• Reports write status back to the server.
• One nsrmmd instance is started per configured device.

nsrlcpd (Networker Library Control Daemon)

• Spawned by nsrmmgd to control jukebox/library resources (slots, transports, access points).
• Returns status to nsrmmgd.

nsrd (Networker Server Daemon)

• The master daemon on the NetWorker server.
• Manages the network resource database and starts other server daemons.
• Starts automatically at boot and orchestrates server-side services.

nsrmmdbd (Media Management DB Daemon)

• Provides read/write access to the media management database.

indexd (Index Daemon)

• Provides read/write access to the client file index database (used for recoveries and indexing).

nsrjobd (Job Daemon)

• Coordinates scheduled backups.
• Stores schedule information and supplies job data to the NetWorker Server / NMC for reporting.

nsrmmgd (Media Management Daemon)

• Manages library operations (jukeboxes).
• Started by nsrd when services are started or when a jukebox is configured/enabled.

NetWorker Console (NMC) related processes

• httpd (Apache) — serves the NetWorker Console (NMC) web pages.
• gstd (General Service Toolkit Daemon / GSTD) — master console process; after a console client connects, GSTD handles all subsequent console communications.
• Postgres — stores GST/NMC data about backups, recoveries, cloning and is used for reporting.

How to list and control NetWorker services

systemd (RHEL/CentOS 7+ and other modern Linuxes)

• Check status:
  • systemctl status networker
• Start service:
  • systemctl start networker
• Stop service:
  • systemctl stop networker
• Note: replace “networker” with the console service name (for example, gst) to control console-related daemons.

init.d (older RHEL/CentOS / SysV)

• Use the scripts under /etc/init.d, for example:
  • /etc/init.d/networker start|stop|status

Windows

• Use Task Manager or the Services console to view, start, and stop NetWorker services (examples: Remote Exec, NetWorker Server, NMC/console service entries).

Practical notes / operating details

• nsrd is the primary server daemon and launches other server-side daemons on startup.
• nsrmmd runs once per configured device; nsrlcpd is spawned as needed for library control.
• GSTD + Postgres + httpd are central to the NetWorker Console (NMC) and reporting.
• The demo demonstrates checking and managing these services on a server containing all roles.

Content type and source

• Type: Tutorial / demo — explanation of NetWorker daemons followed by a short demo of listing and managing services across systemd, init.d, and Windows.
• Speaker: Unnamed instructor/demonstrator of Dell/EMC NetWorker concepts and administration.