Tape backup of SQL transaction logs (VLB)

[ICarter]

We've recently started evaluating backing up our SQL transactions logs using Veeam which creates VLB files. I notice from the documentation (and our experience) that VLB files are excluded from tape backup. Is it likely that in the future they will be included? It's great we can recover down to a 15 minute granuality when the data is in the repository, but it would be equally nice to be able to do this when pulling an older archive back off tape rather than dropping back to the full/incremental recovery point. It would also be nice to have a copy of the log backups on tape from a DR point of view.

Cheers, Ian

[veremin]

For now you can probably stick to file to copy job and archive to tape mediums log backups along with backups they depend on. Thanks.

[vDuck]

How about Update4?

Thx.

[Dima P.]

Approach remains the same. There is no transaction log backup within backup to tape jobs but you can process those with separate file to tape jobs.

[Regnor]

If we use backup to tape for backup files and file to tape for VLBs, can those files be reconnected if restored backup to disk?

[Dima P.]

Regnor,

Yes, you need to restore all backup files from tape and then application item recovery will work.

[Regnor]

Hi Dima,

thanks.
What happens if we lose a VLB or the meta file?

[Dima P.]

VLB is required for application item recovery, so image level backup remains operational. Metadata file is required for image based backup, so it's loss may affect further recovery from both image based backup and transaction log backup.

[Regnor]

I'm only thinking about the application item recovery (transaction level).
I've just posted it in the other topic, we want to ensure that the log backups are on two different media. So for now we do backup to tape + file to tape for the VLB and VSM.
The question is a) if we restore both back to disk, will a transaction based restore be available, and b) if we lose a file in the VLB chain or the entire VSM, will the complete chain be broken or is a partitial log restore still possible?

[Regnor]

Hi Dima, can you provide me any additional information on the transaction log backup?

[Dima P.]

Hello Regnor,

I double checked the way how transaction logs are linked to the image based backup and, unfortunately, backup to tape for image backup + file to tape for log backup wont help: after vm backup file is restored from tape it wont have all required metadata to link vlb correctly. Looks like we have two options now:

1. Use file to tape for both imaged based backup and transaction log backup. In such case metadata will be stored in the original format with all the links kept. Such approach wont work in you are performing backup in forever incremental backup mode (so keep in mind that periodic full is required is such case).

2. Native sql backup to disk, then take vm backup and then write such vm to tape would be another option.

[Regnor]

Hi Dima,

thanks for your replay.
I hope this will be enhanced in the next updates (see the backup copy topic).

Would it help if we include the VBM to the file to tape job?
So later we restore the VBK/VIB from backup to tape, restore the VLB,VBM and VSM to the same folder and Veeam magically matches everything together?

[Dima P.]

Unfortunately that's not going to work, restored backup file will 'understand' only it's original vbm file from tape. I've already added your vote to this feature request, thank you!

[Regnor]

Thank you Dima for making that clear.
There are some customers which would require additional copies of the transaction logs, so let's see if this will be implemented in the future.

[Dima P.]

You are welcome. I'll keep the reference to this thread and add you vote to the feature request. Cheers!

[fga]

Count me in as well.
GFS to tape jobs with linked backup jobs in them should include everything that is needed to restore anything that is inside of such a backup job.
For me this also includes SQL transaction logs.

[stewsie]

Can someone confirm that transaction logs are not copied in Copy jobs or backed up in Tape backups? If this is correct then this is a major issue

Thanks

[Regnor]

That's true. The transaction logs won't be included in copy or tape jobs.

[stewsie]

As the TL backup files will not be part of a copy or tape job can anyone advise how to take a second copy of these? The backup repository in use is a scale out repository so doing a file copy may not be possible and after reading some of the replies above the files may be useless anyway.

Thanks

[veremin]

For now you can use files to tape backup for both image-level and tlog backups. Also, we're aware of this feature request and already working on it. Thanks!

[Regnor]

The "and" is important here; you need to use file-to-tape for both VM and log backups.

[stewsie]

I am running a file to tape backup that hopefully includes the VM and TL backup files

Thanks

[stewsie]

If I want to restore using the file to tape backup do I need to restore all files to disk and then import into Veeam and then restore from disk? The restore process is different to the backup restore process especially for specifying a restore point.

[veremin]

- Restore needed files to disk (full; or full plus increments, if you're planing to restore from incremental restore point)
- Import them to backup console
- Restore data

[stewsie]

OK thanks. Will have to review how we will backup these servers now. Probably just let the DBA backup using native SQL tools.

[Dima P.]

Paul,

Probably just let the DBA backup using native SQL tools.

So far it looks like the best option when you need to store log backups on tape. Cheers!

[stewsie]

I have had direct contact from the customer care manager who has been very helpful.

Thanks for the input

[bapa]

With Veeam B&R version 10 BackupCopy is able to copy transaction logs. When can we expect this feature as well for tapes?

[Dima P.]

Hello Paul,

Thanks for the feedback. This feature remains listed as potential improvement for Next versions, consider your vote being added as well. Cheers!

[bapa]

Hello Dima
Thank you very much for your quick response. Will this also be true for Oracle Redo Logs created by Oracle RMAN?
With best regards
Paul