Quiesce fail on Windows Server 2019

[lazman]

Hello,
i have esxi 6.7u1 and veeam B&R 9.5 u4

I'm doing tests with standard Windows Server 2019.
If I try to take a snapshot of the 2019 VM, select: Quiesce guest file system (needs VMware Tools installed).
It gives me an error and does not take the snapshot. I have installed the VMware tools 10.3.10.

I asked VMware for assistance and one of their technicians removed the VMware tools part called "Volume Shadow Copy support". Showing me what time the VM quiesce is now.

My question is:
If veeam needs the VMware tools to temporarily install its "agent" when backing up, and then remove it once the backup is finished, how can I tell if the backup is consistent? I don't want my servers backing up by turning off the power.

Thank you

[Gostev]

Hello! Partly because of the numerous issues with VMware Tools quiescence (especially in early days), Veeam offers a proprietary engine to ensure backup consistency, which is called "application-aware processing". If you enable application-aware processing in the job settings, and make sure you have the option "Require successfull processing" selected, you can be sure your backup is consistent (as otherwise, VM processing will simply fail). Thanks!

[blanchet]

There is a workaround to use VMware Tools quiescing with Windows Server 2019.
https://communities.vmware.com/thread/605519

The problem comes from the GPT partition table and the hidden partition recovery. When removing this partition, snapshot with quiescing works correctly.

Procedure

• Backup the vm with VeeamZip (in case you do a mistake)

• Delete the hidden recovery partition with diskpart (this recovery partition is useless because you already have Veeam to recover the vm)

  Code: Select all

  diskpart
  
  select disk 0
  select partition 1
  delete partition override
  exit
  

• Reboot the vm to check that everything is ok

  Code: Select all

  shutdown /r /t 0

• Create a Veeam backup job with VMware quiescing enabled

• Run the backup job, and check that everything works as expected

This procedure has been validated on the following virtual infrastructure

• VMware ESXi, 6.7.0, 13006603

• Veeam Backup & Replication 9.5u4

• Windows Server 2019 v1809

[zchladek]

Thank You for the hint. I had same problem and now after that I have destroyed the RecoveryPartition I can use ''Quiesence" .
Perfect discovery boy!

Regards Z.CH.

[lazman]

Thank You!

[jessie0]

Hello Gostev,

Two questions please.

1. How do I verify the integrity if data backed up after
selecting both the "application-aware processing" and "quiescence"
options for windows and Linux virtual machines respectively?

2. How does the above work for windows and Linux physical servers?

Thanks.

[wishr]

Hi Jessie,

You may use SureBackup to verify data and applications recoverability.

As for the second question, you can use both options at the same time. AAIP only works for applications supporting Microsoft VSS, so it's not suitable for Linux VMs. For more info, please refer to the respective UG sections: AAIP, VMware Tools Quiescence.

Physical machines are being processed by Veeam Agents. Please check that info for details on Agents centrally managed by backup server: Windows, Linux.

If your applications do are not supported by VSS/VMware Tools Quiescence you may use scripts to prepare the apps for backup - this works for both VMs and physical machines.

Thanks

[jessie0]

"As for the second question, you cannot use both options at the same time. AAIP only works for applications supporting Microsoft VSS, so it's not suitable for Linux VMs. For more info, please refer to the respective UG sections: AAIP, VMware Tools Quiescence."

If I cannot use both options, how do you propose I run a backup job that includes multiple VMs, say Windows and Linux VMs?
If after enabling both options as in the case above, and the job completes successfully, should I have a reason to doubt the integrity of the data?

Thanks.

[jessie0]

I intentionally ran a backup job of windows machine with "VMware Tools Quiescence", and I can confirm that its not suitable for windows VMs because the job failed.

I did the same with a Linux VM, I disabled "VMware Tools Quiescence" but enable "AAIP" and it completed successfully.
What am I not understanding?

Thanks.

[wishr]

Jessie, I apologize, you can enable both options within the same job. I've modified my previous post to correctly reflect it. Please refer here for answers to the remaining questions. This BP article could be also helpful.

[jessie0]

Hello wishr,

Thank you for the clarification and sorry for the delayed response.

If its of no trouble to you, would you mind pointing to any post or thread where I can find scripts for
backing up transactionally consistent applications for Linux VMs and physical servers?

Thanks.

[wishr]

Hi Jessie,

What kind of applications those are? I'll help you to assemble the search query.

Thanks

[jessie0]

Hello Wishr,

I think I am looking for scripts for the following database applications:
1. MariaDB 10.x
2. MySQL 8.x
3. PostgreSQL 9.6.x-10.x

Thanks

[wishr]

Hi Jessie,

Here are a few examples, you may additionally use the forum search engine and simply google/raise a question on a database vendor forum to find out more info. Alternatively, you may discuss the scripts with the DB administrators. Consider using the below ones at your own risk.

1. MariaDB/MySQL
2. MySQL
3. PostgreSQL

We will be natively supporting PostgreSQL and MySQL with our Linux Agent very soon.

Thanks

[VMwarer]

VMware tools part called "Volume Shadow Copy support". Showing me what time the VM quiesce is now.

Thank you

Sorry Folks, I don't understand and I am VEEAM Newbie, how it works again please?

Does VEEAM requires to disable Windows VSS while enabling VMware-tools if we'll leverage VEEAM Agent?
Is that correct?

[Gostev]

No. This forum is for Veeam Backup & Replication and its host-based backups of VMware VMs. Veeam Agents has nothing to deal with this issue, so you may ignore this thread.

[jessie0]

Hello wishr,

Thanks for helping with the scripts.

Will take a look at them and ask around.

Thanks.