after 12.1 Upgrade > issues with IBM Storage Snapshot jobs

[yunales]

Hello all,
after upgrading to Veeam B&R 12.1 we got some issues with jobs which are using IBM Flashsystem storage snapshots.(other SAN Arrays are working fine)
There were no issues present with Veeam B&R version 11 and 12.
IBM firmware version is 8.4.x so the new 8.5+ "features" should not be an issue here. IBM FlashCopy feature is also licensed and was always licensed.
It's weird the SnapOnly jobs don't work at all or only for some VMs: Failed to create snapshots on primary storage: xxx The action failed as the object already exists.
The main issue are the normal backup jobs, which are just using storage snapshots for data read. For some LUNs/VMs Veeam just won't create Storage Snapshots(flashcopies):
These errors all over the place: Failed to create snapshot for datastore_name Details: Snapshot without FlashCopy Mapping cannot be used, ID: 30

Veeam support is engaged
Case Nr:
#07044608

Perhaps someone had this issue as well ?
regards
yunales

[rennerstefan]

Hi,
Thanks for sharing.
We will have a look at the ticket you provided.

[rennerstefan]

Quickly checked the ticket.

Investigation is ongoing. In the meanwhile you should have received further instructions how to proceed with the failed job(s).

Let me know.

Thanks

[foggy]

Hi yunales, thanks for opening a case. The issue has been confirmed internally and will be addressed in the very first patch for v12.1 (whenever it will be released).

[m.levisson]

We're having the same issue after upgrade.
Is there a release date for the first patch yet?

[rennerstefan]

Hi,
please also open a ticket with support so we have your request tracked.
There is no ETA yet but we are working on this and will let you know with the support ticket as soon as a patch/hotfix is available.
Thanks

[Gostev]

You don't necessarily need to wait for a patch as whenever there are multiple customers impacted, support usually provides a hotfix.

[foggy]

Yep, the private fix for this issue has just been shipped, everyone with a support case open should be contacted by our engineers soon.

[yunales]

Hello all,
indeed the private fix helped to solve both issues. Now the backup jobs as well as the snapshot only jobs work again!
Just reference to this forum post in a new case, if you have the same issue. This usually accelerates the case quit a bit

regards and have a some happy Holidays!
yunales

[rennerstefan]

Hi yunales,

Thanks for confirming the fix solved the issue. Glad to hear.

[vmtech123]

I'm waiting for the next patch I suppose as running IBM SAN's.

I'd also love for it to support the new IBM Snapshot V2 vs flashcopy, but we'll see.

Using the internal policy's in the new firmware for the FS7200 is going to be a great way to handle immutable snapshots.

[foggy]

Support for the new method of snapshot creation on IBM FlashSystem is there in v12.1. Policy-based replication (if that is what you're referring to) is not supported though - only Global Mirror/Metro Mirror/HyperSwap configurations are supported. Snapshots immutability is on the roadmap.

[vmtech123]

Cool! unfortunately "not supported" doesn't work for production. I'll wait and convert after it's supported. Great to hear though.

[vmtech123]

Any word on this? With the IBM policy based snapshots?

Any chance on the next version? or is it still in the roadmap?

[foggy]

No news re: support for policy-based replication so far.

[vmtech123]

Hey Foggy.

Quick question regarding this. When it states IBM Policy Based Replication is not supported. Does that mean for use with Veeam, or if I am using it to replicate my SAN volumes?

I have some VM's using SRM and Global Mirror with Change volumes I have been waiting to change to policy based.

One of the reasons I was holding off is because if I switch, it requires the new snapshot creation method, but if that's supported It seems things should be ok.

Backup from storage snapshots should still work using the new snapshot method, I just can't use policy based replication from within Veeam to replicate things. Are my thoughts correct?
In Veeam, I still be able to replicate snapshots taken by Veeam using global mirror?

If this is the case, my life is going to be much easier.

Have a great day

[foggy]

That's correct - it is just Veeam B&R not being able to detect and utilize this type of relationship. You're free to use them outside Veeam B&R in the same setup, just not in Veeam B&R jobs.

[vmtech123]

Thank you so much Foggy!
The warning of "Not Supported" had me hesitant to switch. GMCV is a real pain so this news made my week. If you are attending the summit, I owe ya one!

[foggy]

Btw, you will even be able to normally rescan target volumes for policy-based relationships and use the snapshots there for restores - no issues with that.