Backing up just SQL DBs or an individual DB

[jamcool]

Is it possible to backup just Microsoft SQL databases without having to backup a VM disk? We are looking to replace a product used for backing up SQL with Veeam's ability to backup SQL. Unfortunately in the console you have to select at least one disk and in Self Service you have to select the whole server (did a test install using trial license of Enterprise plus). The SQL DBA persons want to be able to backup just a DB or the DBs without having to backup the server.

I have B&R 9.5 Enterprise with patch 4 and backing up VM running on ESXi 6.5 U2.

[PTide]

Hi,

That cannot be done with VBR as VBR does not actually backs up databases. Instead, it prepares them for backup (ensure consistency), procesess transaction logs (if required). You can try using Veeam Agent for Windows in order to back up only database files (MDF and LDF).

Thanks!

[Gostev]

That cannot be done with VBR as VBR does not actually backs up databases.

Well, of course VBR does backup databases as a part of the image-level backup, which includes all files on the protected VM's disks - and SQL Server database files are of course no exception. Sorry for this misinformation by P.Tide

Also, in advanced Guest Processing we have the functionality that allows you to include only the required files into an image-level backup, such as SQL Server database files - which is exactly what you're looking for.

However, if you have your databases on separate disks (as recommended by SQL Server best practices), then the better approach will be to only include the required virtual disks in the backup job - by excluding all other disks. This will work much faster than file-level exclusions due to no added processing overhead. Most of our customers with similar requirement do that.

Also, please note that the self-service portal does provide an ability to recover individual SQL Server databases, not just entire VMs. Sounds like you were looking at the Machines tab, whereas this functionality is on the Items tab (application items).

[jamcool]

I was looking for what's new in version 12 of VBR to see if anything changed for backing up Microsoft SQL databases. Namely looking to see if there is a way to just backup a single database and not all the databases on a Microsoft SQL server. I found this old question I raised on it when at VBR 9.5 and found this was not an option. I have not seen it any different in VBR 11 (on 11a).

[Mildur]

Hi Jason

Veeam V12 will bring a Enterprise Plugin for MSSQL.
Install it on the MSSQL Server and choose which databases you want to backup.
Have a look at our VeeamOn 2022 session where we announce it.

Thanks
Fabian

[PetrM]

Hello,

@jamcool It would be awesome to get some feedback on it Also, a brief overview of plug-in is provided in this blog.

Thanks!

[crun]

Is there a plan to add a introduce VDI SQL backup from the VBR console itself? I assume this is how the MSSQL plugin will be based on.
We have some business requirements to have different retentions on databases on the same server, which is not easily accomplished through VSS backups

[PetrM]

Hello,

Not in version 12, but ETA of this feature is yet to be determined. Nevertheless, it's good to know that there is interest already. The first plug-in version allows you to create SQL Server Agent Jobs directly from UI, for each job you can select the specific databases to process and the desired retention settings.

Thanks!

[tbeekmans]

Still no way to select DB's instead of complete backup of VM in the Backup job, any idea when this will be included?

[PetrM]

Hi Tom,

You can select specific DBs in our plug-in for Microsoft SQL Server. Is it an option for you?

Thanks!