Backup from Storage Snapshots - RDM Disks

[warnox]

Hi,

I'm wondering if physical RDM disks can be backed up using Storage Snapshots from a supported array (3PAR)?

I've read a lot of documentation stating that B&R doesn't support RDMs but I can't find anything regarding Storage Snapshots and RDMs. According to https://bp.veeam.expert/resource_planni ... shots.html, Veeam still requests snapshots through VMware APIs, and I'm thinking this is where the problem might lie.

If Veeam just backed up a storage snapshot, without being VM aware, the restore process might not work without restoring the whole LUN?

Cheers for any input.

[ferrus]

Never considered that, as we're only just starting to use Storage Snapshots (IBM).

We have one pRDM left across the whole estate - which I'd love to backup through Veeam, until we can migrate it.

[foggy]

Correct, physical RDM disks are not supported, since cannot be snapshotted.

[Ioannis.T]

So, Storage snapshots are requested through VMware APIs and not directly from the storage?

[DGrinev]

Hi Ioannis,

In both scenarios VMware snapshot is triggered.
You can find the process description in the user guide article. Thanks!

[warnox]

Thanks for your responses everyone.

What I don't understand is why a VM snapshot is actually taken at all (if it is then succeeded by a storage snapshot)? Looking at the user guide, https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... tml?ver=95, why is step 1 even required (under 'Backup from Storage Snapshots')?

[DGrinev]

In order to get consistent state of the VM for backup, VMware snapshot is needed.
If the first step will be skipped you will get crash-consistent state of the VM. Thanks!

[Firas]

I have the same question guys, If my Nimble Storage can create a crash consistent snap using Microsoft VSS directly on the storage. once that happens. Veeam should be able to backup from that snapshot?

[foggy]

Hi Firas, please review the user guide section referred to above for understanding on how backup from storage snapshots works. vSphere snapshot is still created for VMs whose disks are hosted on the storage, just for a way shorter period of time.