backup physical sql always on with Veeam agents

[oscarm]

All,

I have a customer that has an always on sql setup based on physical machines. I have build a test environment and have installed Veeam agents on the primary node and the secondary (readonly) node. If I backup the primary one it states skipping always on database: and then enummerates all always on databases. If I backup the secondary node it looks like application aware processing does not take place at all.

Is it possible to backup this setup with agents, and if so, how do I do that?

[Dima P.]

Hello Oscar,

This behavior is expected when using Veeam Agents with SQL Always On Availability Groups. Veeam Agents do not support application‑aware backups of SQL Always On AG databases. As a result: On the primary replica, application‑aware processing detects the Always On configuration and intentionally skips AG databases. On the secondary (read‑only) replica, SQL VSS integration is not triggered, so application‑aware processing does not run at all.

This is the recommended and fully supported approach - Backup of Always On Availability Groups (VBR User Guide). Hope it helps!

[oscarm]

thanks Dima!

[oscarm]

Dima,
I had a read of that guide, but that is for when you use a VBR server. So if you have physical servers and Always on SQL you do need a VBR server in order to get this backed up properly?