VSS Backup

[kellison]

I configured a backup to use the application-aware image processing (uses the Microsoft VSS). How can I verify that in fact it did quiesce my SQL database when it performed the snapshot? Looking at the Veeam backup job log it only shows that the snapshot took place.

[Gostev]

Does the Veeam log say "Preparing guest for hot backup"? This means AAIP is used.
You can also look for VSS events in the system event log of the corresponding VM.

[kellison]

Yes, the Veeam log does say "Preparing guest for hot backup"?

You mentioned "This means AAIP is used" - I am not familiar with that acronym. Are you saying that if I see that in the Veeam log then it is quiescing my SQL database?

I looked at the event log on my SQL VM but do not see anything there pertaining to VSS events.

[Sethbartlett]

AAIP = Application-aware image processing. Your job will fail (or log a warning - depending on settings) if VSS/AAIP fails also.

[wberryment]

You can also look at your SQL log file to see if it locked transactions to sql during the time frame of your backup.
wayne

[mteamjpy]

hi , does this explanation still exact in 6.1 ?

i only got job started
building vm
vm size
CBT
prepare next vm (?)
processing
al vm have been ...

so i do not see "Preparing guest for hot backup"

sorry but i prefer to ask

regards

Jean -pol

[foggy]

Yes, this message should be logged in the job session in case VSS is engaged. Make sure you have enabled application-aware image processing in the job settings (as it is not enabled by default) and that the VM is turned on. In any case, the reason why you do not see the message can be found in the job log file, feel free to contact technical support service to assist you in reviewing the log file. Also, SQL Server event log could help in troubleshooting. Thanks!

[mteamjpy]

thanks foggy ,

all i got from the event viewer is that VSS is timed out
no other error explaining me this time out.

i don't event see him receive the command either .


how could i determine this ?

thanks

Jean-pol

[Cokovic]

1. Check that application aware image processing is activated
2. Under advanced settings in application aware image processing: what are your settings there? Require success?
3. On your SQL server open a command prompt andy type: vssadmin list writers. How is the state of you SQL writer?

If your SQL VSS writer is in a failed state or timed out or both try the following:

net stop SQLWriter
net start SQLWriter

net stop EventSystem
press y to confirm all other services.

net stop swprv
net stop vss
net stop vmvss
net stop VMTools
net stop VMUpgradeHelper
net stop ReportServer
net stop winmgmt
net start EventSystem
net start swprv
net start vss
net start vmvss
net start VMTools
net start VMUpgradeHelper
net start ReportServer
net start winmgmt

Then run your backup again. This is what helped me with a VSS timeout issue on a SQL server.

Cheers,
Haris

[mteamjpy]

2. Under advanced settings in application aware image processing: what are your settings there? Require success?

with tested the two parameters , no change

3. the list writter respond with no error

4. i restarted the vss just before the backup no change

also we get some shareporint component over it , maybe additional step is needed?

[Vitaliy S.]

No additional steps are needed, If you configure your backup job to require success on VSS freeze and your backup job does not fail, that means that all your VMs within this job have been successfully backed up with "application-aware image processing".

[Cokovic]

hi , does this explanation still exact in 6.1 ?

i only got job started
building vm
vm size
CBT
prepare next vm (?)
processing
al vm have been ...

so i do not see "Preparing guest for hot backup"

sorry but i prefer to ask

regards

Jean -pol

When you double click your job to see the statistics please click the VM in the left pane. Then you will see some addtional informations in the right pane regarding this VM. And there you should see the VSS processing entries. What you described here is just the overall statistics from the report. That is why you cant see the VSS processing information

[RJI]

Does the Veeam log say "Preparing guest for hot backup"? This means AAIP is used.
You can also look for VSS events in the system event log of the corresponding VM.

Do you know if this logging to the event log can be enabled/disabled? Is it writer dependant? I am sure I have seen successful messages before, but that may have been on an Exchange server.

My Veeam job runs fine and does state "Preparing guest for hot backup" but nothing is listed in the VM's Application or System event logs.

Veeam v6.1 backing up a Windows Server 2003 Standard guest.

[foggy]

You should see Event ID 7036 messages about the Volume Shadow Copy and Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider services entering the running/stopping state during backup in the System log.