SQL won't freeze after v6 upgrade

[averylarry]

Just wanted to ask here if I should contact support before bothering them . . .

My SQL server worked fine on v5 -- application aware snapshots etc. It has all the Veeam databases, but it does NOT have the vcenter server, nor any Veeam components. Nothing changed with the SQL server (not even windows updates) since it was working on v5 and now it isn't working.

"Unable to release guest. VSSControl: Failed to freeze guest, wait timeout."

I'm happy to open a support case but didn't want to bother them if it's something trivial.

The windows event log seems to indicate VSS success, but at 1 minute and several seconds. Is there a timeout setting I can change? I've read conflicting accounts on the forums . . .

[NightBird]

Same problem here. On the SQL Server with Veeam database onboard.

With v5 it works flawless

[Vitaliy S.]

Hi Ted,

Based on my previous research it should work, but again I would recommend to involve our support team in investigating this issue.

Thanks!

[averylarry]

Sure -- like I said it was working with v5. This is a change since v6. I'll open a support case.

[Davd]

I have the same problem...With our Veeam 6 backup server I am unable to backup the SQL (where Veeam database is located) with VSS enabled. I also have a Veeam 5 backup server with database on same SQL (as Veeam 6 database) and that one works fine with VSS.

I have an open case with support about this but so far they seem to think that its a problem on our side... Which I don't agree since our Veeam 5 work just fine with exactly same settings.

So its intresting to see that other users are expiriencing this as well... perheps Veeam support can dig a bit deeper then

[ZachW]

David,

What is your support case number?

-Zach

[Davd]

Support case nr is ID#5157661

[Davd]

I recieved an update from support now where they state following:

"The reason why the job fails during processing of SQL server where Veeam's DB is located is a connectivity loss. Veeam initiates VSS freeze of the SQL DB and all the transaction are being stopped for the short period of time. In that time interval Veeam loses the connection to the DB and that causes job to fail. Backing up of Veeam's DB with VSS freeze is a scenario which is not supposed to be working."

I find this answer quite ridiculos since it works fine in version 5. But maybe its a new feature of version 6...

[Vitaliy S.]

David, I have just asked our QC team to try to reproduce this behavior. I will post back once I have more information.

[dsrohdy]

Just wanted to add that I'm experiencing the same error. Veeam DB backup worked correctly in V5 but will not freeze in V6.

[jimmymc]

Same issue here - Vitaly, would you like us to log a call with support also, or wait for you to reproduce and work on the issue internally? It's a problem for us as we have lots of important DBs on the same SQL server..

Cheers, James

[Vitaliy S.]

James, according to the recent news from our QC team we've managed to reproduce this issue and now are working on possible fixes, but I would suggest to log a support call anyway!

[aweiss]

I guys, after the SAN Direct Access mode not working (waiting for fix) i have the same issue. Veeam db is located on an external SQL server : VSS snap fails with the same error. Gonna open a case through web and reference this post. I also have the same error on SQL not hosting Veeam DB. It was working well in v5
Rgds Alex

[aweiss]

Here's my case number 5159575 Alex

[aweiss]

Hi Guys
I received a fix for Direct San Access and it works great ! Any idea for this VSS fix to come up ? Thanks for your efforts !

[Gostev]

Hi Alexandre, support will notify you once it is available - currently, I have no timelines to share. Thanks!

[averylarry]

Is this a fairly common issue? I'd expect lots of people to have their Veeam databases on a separate SQL server. Or are there other certain conditions involved . . ?

[aweiss]

Pb is not only on SQL hosting Veeam dB. It seems to be on all SQL. I'll have à check after tonight jobs Alex

[Gostev]

I know that the research was already completed, and in fact it does affect SQL hosting Veeam DB only, so it is not very common. Nevertheless, just like any blocking issue reported by customers, it will be addressed in a timely manner. Thanks.

[aweiss]

Hi Anton. You are right sorry. Only veeam dB server is affected. Alex

[marc.delpouys]

I've also seen this issue with SQL servers using a clean new install of v6. I've created a Support Request [ID#5158984].

Adding the ESX(i) hosts manually and then editing the job to select the Host and then the VM stopped the issue from happing. But, required that DRS/VMotion not be done on these VM's.

[aweiss]

Hi
My customer had an external server to move Veeam DB to. I followed the post Move Veeam database only to another sql server to move Veeam DB and i am now able to backup my virtual SQL server with success. I have more time to wait for the patch Rgds
Alex

[jfolkman]

We are having the same problem as well after upgrading to version 5. Ticket ID#5157355

Please fix.

Thanks,

Jason

[aweiss]

Support told me that veeam does not support to have its dB frozen while a backup was running but it was like that since V5 ...

[Gostev]

We are planning to change database interaction pattern during VM freeze to make that supported.

[ritterbruder]

Thanks for the update on this. I experience this as well and am very excited for a fix to come out!

[slam]

We have the same issue too, case ID # 5161139. What will we have a fix for this?

[Gostev]

Hi Stephen, not sure I understand what you are asking.

[wberryment]

I'm having the same issue. Veeam Backup and Replicaton installed on the same server as SQL Server 2008.
Worked before upgrade from 5.0 to 6
Open ticket: 5160628
Awaiting a fix.
wayne

[wberryment]

I opened a case and they followed up. They are telling me that you can't use Application Aware Processing to backup the server running Veeam Backup and Replication if you have the SQL database which Veeam is writing to on that same server. You will get a "Unable to release guest. Error: VSS Control: Failed to freeze guest wait timeout". I have other databases on this SQL server besides Veeams and I can't get a complete backup of that server unless I do SQL backups, and turn off Application Aware Processing in the job. All I'm saying that this wasn't going on in Version 5. I was told that it wasn't supposed to have worked in Version 5 either.
Wayne