File Servers backup in crash consistent mode

[stevedarl1]

Hi all, im not sure why but our file servers (5 VMs) always get backed up in crash consistent mode when using the Dell Equallogic VSS HW Provider Snapshot.

The job which backs up 40+ VMs is setup to use quiescence and we use onhost proxys. The file server VMs are spread out across multiple Hyper-V 2012 Cluster nodes running Windows Server 2008 R2 and each file server has its own volume. The rest of the VMs backup fine using Veeam application-aware processing.

Any ideas as to why these 5 VMs backup in this mode? and will this cause any issues with regards to restoring at file level using enterprise manager?

[stevedarl1]

Forgot to add i spotted a Veeam KB mentioning the Integration services maybe out of date on the OS. Ive checked all nodes and they are all on 6.5.0.128.

[veremin]

Restoring a crash-consistent backup is virtually an equivalent to rebooting a server after a hard reset.

I’m wondering whether you have ticked “Take crash consistent backup” box in the Advanced settings or not. Thanks.

[stevedarl1]

Restoring a crash-consistent backup is virtually an equivalent to rebooting a server after a hard reset.

I’m wondering whether you have ticked “Take crash consistent backup” box in the Advanced settings or not. Thanks.

Hi v.Eremin, yes Crash consistent backup is ticked.

[foggy]

Steve, do you probably have the 'Ignore application processing failures' option selected in Advanced options for Guest processing settings? Veeam AAIP could fail on these VMs for some reason causing Hyper-V guest quiescence to be used and crash-consistent backup option came into play. I would check permissions for the guest OS and Integration Services version.

Also, there is a chance that these VMs could be backed up using saved state only (could be due to Hyper-V Integration Services failure, for example, or if the VM guest OS has dynamic disks). In this case, such VMs will be always backed up in crash consistent mode, regardless of the settings mentioned above.

Anyway, you can contact support directly if you need assistance in identifying the reason of this behavior. Thanks.

[stevedarl1]

Hi Foggy, thanks for the response. The problem is Dynamic disks. I believe these were orginally physical servers and P2V'd and they must have chosen dynamic disks. Dont suppose you know an easy way to convert these?

[foggy]

Seems like this is the easiest way.

[stevedarl1]

Hi foggy, just to let you know your advice was bang on and is now backing up in Application Aware mode after changing to a fixed disk.

Thanks
Steve

[veremin]

Hi, Steve. Thanks for coming back and updating the topic with the results you got; much appreciated.