VM backup with application-aware processing

[adam900331]

Hy!

I would like to clarify how do I have to use application aware processing? I know, that If VM has transactional application I have to use this function. Please someone explain me in this example:

I have a Windows Server 2019 VM which has SQL Server application. I would like to create a transaction consistent backup correctly. So Can I apply pre-freeze and post-thaw script? Or is it enough to use a credential with admin permission on this server and add it to Guest Processing windows Guest OS credential section?

Thanks.

[Mildur]

Hi Adam

May I ask, what sort of SQL application is installed on this server?
For a MSSQL server it is enough to enable application aware processing and provide a user with the correct permissions:
https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... processing

Other SQL applications like PostgreSQL or MySQL might require scripting.

Thanks
Fabian

[adam900331]

Hy Fabian!

It is only a theory question, so first assume I use MSSQL. So, in this case don't need to use any pre-freeze or post-thaw script? Only enough to enable application aware processing, and give a correct permission account for this task?

When do I need to use the Windows scripts section the Scripts pane on the Processing settings window?

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... e-post.png

Thanks.

[Mildur]

It is only a theory question, so first assume I use MSSQL. So, in this case don't need to use any pre-freeze or post-thaw script? Only enough to enable application aware processing, and give a correct permission account for this task?

Correct. For MSSQL pre-freeze or post-thaw script are not required. The same is valid for MS Exchange Server, SharePoint, Oracle and Active Directory backups.

When do I need to use the Windows scripts section the Scripts pane on the Processing settings window?

In case you have a database application that does not provide integration with the VSS service. Without this integration, scripts can be used to put the database in a state where it can be backed up by Veeam.
This can be stopping the database service with the pre-freeze script. And with the post-freeze script, the database service is started again.

I suggest asking the vendor of such applications on how they recommend backing up their data. Most vendors will provide you with the scripts.

[adam900331]

Thanks Fabian! This section now clear for me!

Another theory question: What is the correct setting when backup a Windows Server 2019 which contain MSSQL Express (free SQL)? Can I use application aware processing to backup consistent state like SQL Server?

Thanks.

[Mildur]

You're welcome. Yes, that is supported.
You can find the supported MSSQL versions for application aware processing in our user guide:

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... plications

The following versions of Microsoft SQL Server are supported (for application-aware processing and transaction log backup):

Microsoft SQL Server 2019 (only for Windows)
Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (only for Windows)
Microsoft SQL Server 2016 SP2
Microsoft SQL Server 2014 SP3
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 SP4
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 SP3
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 SP4
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 SP4
All editions of Microsoft SQL Server are supported.

[adam900331]

Great, thanks.

Another question: I checked and I can disable the application processing in the processing settings which is related to the specific VM. So, I added the ESXi server object which has 10 VM to the backup job and I would like to use the application processing for 2 VM. Should I disable the application process for the whole ESXi object, because I don't want to use the application process for all VM? Then add the 2 VM where enable the application processing? Check this photo:

https://ibb.co/yNQHnqH

Thanks.

[adam900331]

Hy Fabian!

Can you help me for the last question?

Thanks!

[Mildur]

Hi Adam

Yes, of course. Had some meetings yesterday and couldn‘t answer right away.

You can disable it if you want for the other vms. But if network security is no issue (single subnet, no firewall blocking ports) I would just keep it enabled for any vm.

If you disable it for the other vms, make sure to select Enable VMware tools quiescence in your backup job settings.

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... ml?ver=110

[adam900331]

Hy Fabian!

Now, I am confused a little bit.

If I have some VM which hasn't got any specific application like SQL databases, can I enable application aware processing for this VM? What happen when enable the application aware processing for that VM which has no SQL or any databases? Look at this scenario if this VM is a file server.

Thanks!

[Mildur]

Hi Adams

I enable application aware processing for this VM?

Yes, you can The backup still works, if no integrated applications are found. You will not see an error or warning in the jobs.
When you enable application aware processing, we deploy runtime components to each VM which has "application aware processing" enabled.
With this component, we collect information about installed applications and prepare them to be backed up and for VSS-aware restores.
https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... ml?ver=110

When you disable application aware processing, this runtime components won't be deployed. Without using the other option "VMware Tools Quiescence", you will only have a crash consistent backup of your server. When you enable application aware processing, Veeam will use the VMware tools for creating the VSS snapshot.
https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... ml?ver=110

I would go with application aware processing for all VMs, if my network security concept allows it.

You can read some additional information and comparison between the different methods in our user guide:
https://bp.veeam.com/vbr/4_Operations/O ... ssing.html

Thanks
Fabian

[adam900331]

Thanks.

Yes, you can The backup still works, if no integrated applications are found. You will not see an error or warning in the jobs.
When you enable application aware processing, we deploy runtime components to each VM which has "application aware processing" enabled.
With this component, we collect information about installed applications and prepare them to be backed up and for VSS-aware restores.
https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... ml?ver=110

If I enable for all VM the application aware processing, do I have to give a credential which has permission to acces to guest os depends on there is integrated application or not? So I mean during the backup job the Veeam will try to access with the added credential to guest os? If this credential no permission to access guest OS, the backup job will failed like in the picture?
https://ibb.co/HqbwCdc

Thanks.

[adam900331]

Hy Fabian!

Can you help me for the last question?

Thanks!

[Mildur]

Yes, you have to provide working credentials for each VM if you want to use our application aware processing.
In case you have different user accounts for each VM, you can use this button to assign the credential per VM:

[adam900331]

Thanks Fabian!

Can you confirm my understanding about application aware processing?

So If I would like to create a consistent backup for Windows VM which has application, I have to enable the application aware processing and define an account which has admin permission to the affected guest OS VM. In this mode, the Veeam use the Microsoft VSS to create consistent backup, so I don't need pre-freeze and post-thaw script.

If I use in the backup job Windows and Linux VM I have to also enable the VMware Tools quiesence in backup job advanced settings, because the VSS not available in Linux. I have to define the Linux account which has admin permission to the guest Linux OS. Is it enough to create consistent backup the Linux application for example mysql? Or do I have to use pre-freeze and post-thaw script?

Thanks.

[micoolpaul]

Hi Adam,

Assuming the application is supported with Microsoft VSS, yes you just have to enable application aware processing and define an account with appropriate permissions, usually admin permissions as you say.

There is no native MySQL support within the VMware level processing so you’d have to use a pre-freeze & post-thaw script, but you could circumvent that requirement by using Veeam Backup for Linux, which is an in-guest, agent-based backup approach, information here: https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/agent ... tml?ver=50

In summary, if Veeam can’t natively integrate via Microsoft VSS, then unless YOU use a pre-freeze script, the backup is crash-consistent, aka imagine the server was powered off, or ‘crashed’ at the point of the snapshot, whatever was written to disk at that point was committed, whatever was pending/in RAM was lost. The pre-freeze is normally to get your platform into a transactionally-consistent state, and then the post-thaw is to let the server carry on processing further transactions.

[micoolpaul]

As a side note, depending on how far along your Veeam journey you are, might I suggest the Veeam University training: https://www.veeam.com/free-on-demand-trainings.html, or alternately if you’re more experienced, taking the VMCE training would help a lot as it’s very hands on!

[adam900331]

Hy Michael!

Thanks fo Your fast reply!

If I use Backup Agent for Linux to backup the Linux server which has mysql, I don't have to use pre-freeze and post-thaw script?

If yes, what kind of scripts do i use under the script tab?
https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... cripts.png

Thanks.

[Mildur]

For the MySQL question, please go to the other topic where I moved your question. MySQL backups are discussed there:
post466131.html#p466131

I provided a link to the scripts in that topic. It is also discussed if scripting is required or not. Backup Agent for Linux doesn‘t require them.

Thanks
Fabian

[adam900331]

Okay, thanks.

Another question: Are there any case that only enough to enable VMware Tools quiescence without provide pre-freeze and post-thaw script for backing up VM with application?

[jorgedlcruz]

Hello Adam,
That will entirely depend on the application and OS running inside the VM. Some better explanations, with links to VMware documentation, can be found here:
https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... ml?ver=110

I think this thread already contains such rich information about different use cases: MSSQL/Oracle/Exchange/SharePoint/AD (or others that integrate with VSS) using application-aware, MySQL/PostgreSQL better with Linux Agent, or using pre/post if you want to be 100% sure, anything else VMTQ always recommended.

Take a look at the link, read through the comments for other experts, and decide what will be best for each workload.

Thanks!

[adam900331]

Hy!

Thanks for Your reply!

Iam a little bit confused about "VMware Tools quiescence" andt the pre-freeze/post-thaw script needed. When I disable the "VMware Tools quiescence" option, but define the pre-freeze/post-thaw script, the backup job will use these scripts. Yes, I read this document and I understand the VMware Tools quiescence. But what happened if I not select the VMware Tools quiescence, and defined the scripts? What is the different If I enable the VMware Tools quiescence or not?

Thanks.

[jorgedlcruz]

Hello,
But we already helped you with that question. It depends of the OS and workload.

You have a few ways to quiescence the data: with vmware tools meaning that option on the job, with app-aware VSS for those apps and OS that support it, or with manual scripts you define on the pre/post.

That's it.

What happened if you not select the VMware tools quiescence and define scripts? Okay, you are quiescence your data and make it "backup ready" with your scripts.

Again, all depends of your OS and app. See above for MySQL examples, or PostgreSQL, SQL, etc.

Hope it is clear now

[adam900331]

Thanks, now its clear for me.

Another question: There are 3 test VM: DC server, Win10 client, Linux server with mysql. I configured the backup job with "Enable VMware Tools quiescence" option, and config the application aware processing the following:
-DC: Require successful processing
-Win10 client: Disable application processing (because it doesn't contain any application which require consistent backup)
-Linux server: Disable application processing with pre-freeze/post-thaw script

When start the job, the Win10 client process is failed with the following error:
Failed to create VM snapshot. Error: CreateSnapshot failed, vmRef vm-777, timeout 1800000, snName VEEAM BACKUP TEMPORARY SNAPSHOT, snDescription Please do not delete this snapshot. It is being used by Veeam Backup., memory False, quiesce True

Error: An error occurred while quiescing the virtual machine. See the virtual machine's event log for details. (An error occurred while saving the snapshot: Failed to quiesce the virtual machine., An error occurred while taking a snapshot: Failed to quiesce the virtual machine.)

I think its occur due to the VMware Tools quiescence. When I select Win10 client VM application-aware processing setting to "Try application processing, but ignore failure" the affected VM backup success.

What do you think, why happened it?

Thanks.

[adam900331]

Meanwhile I found the problem. There isn't enough free space on the Win10 client system volume.

This KB is helped for me:
https://www.veeam.com/kb1065
https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1018194