NetVault Plug-in for SQL Server 12.2


	NOTE: During a VSS backup, the plug-in ignores all new databases and performs only the differential backup of databases that have had a full VSS backup first. An error message indicating that this issue has occurred displays in the NetVault Backup log.

Next to the Plugin Options list, click Create New.

In the Backup Method section on the SQL Server Backup Options tab, select Use Volume Shadow Copy Services (VSS).

In the Backup type section, select the applicable option:

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Full Database

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Differential Database

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Copy-Only

For information on these backup types, see Defining a VSS backup strategy and reviewing types.

In the Snapshot Options section, complete the following:

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Backup Files to Storage: This option, which is selected by default, copies the selected data from snapshots to a storage device. The plug-in uses a VSS provider to create persistent or non-persistent snapshots on the client, and copies the selected data from the snapshot, or snapshots, to the storage device.

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Perform Backup Off-Host Using Client: Select this option if you want to enable a backup job from a remote NetVault Backup Client that meets the following criteria:

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You are protecting a Standalone or AlwaysOn Availability Group deployment.

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The remote client has access to the same array manager as the original client that was configured to run the job.

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The remote client is not a NetVault Backup Virtual Client, nor was the original client.


	IMPORTANT: To use this option, you must also select the Backup Files to Storage and Retain Snapshot as Persistent options.

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Retain Snapshot as Persistent: To retain persistent snapshots on a disk array, select this check box.

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If the Backup Files to Storage and Retain Snapshot as Persistent check boxes are both selected, the plug-in copies the selected files to a storage device and adds the snapshot information to the backup index.

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If you clear the Backup Files to Storage check box and select this check box, the plug-in writes only the index entries to the backup stream and creates persistent snapshots on the disk array.

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Discard After: If you selected the Retain Snapshot as Persistent check box and you want to delete persistent snapshots from a disk array after a specified period, select this check box and complete the expiration fields.

Regardless of the expiration settings, a snapshot is automatically deleted when the associated saveset is retired. Therefore, this option is only useful when you want to discard a snapshot before the associated saveset is retired. To expire a snapshot immediately, you must log in to the storage array, and manually expire the snapshot. Otherwise, the snapshot expires according to the retention policy selected while creating the snapshot.


	NOTE: To use the Retain Snapshot as Persistent and Discard After options, the SQL Server that you back up must reside on a NetVault Backup-supported disk array and the vendor’s hardware-based VSS provider must be in place. For more information, see Understanding snapshot-based backups.

In the VSS Backup Options section, select Use multiple snapshots to limit demands on system resources.


	NOTE: If you selected the Use multiple snapshots to limit demands on system resources option for the VSS Full Database backup type, you must also select it for the VSS Differential Database backup type. This option can be applied when the VSS backup method is selected. When a VSS snapshot is taken, the amount of system resources required increases with the number of SQL Server databases included in the snapshot. To limit the amount of system resources that are used by the VSS snapshot, select this option. When this option is selected, the Plug‑in for SQL Server groups the selected databases in groups or batches, and takes a snapshot for each batch, instead of including all the selected databases in one single snapshot. Hence, system resources are not exhausted. The Use multiple snapshots to limit demands on system resources option cannot be combined with the Retain Snapshot as Persistent option. If Use multiple snapshots to limit demands on system resources is selected, snapshots are not retained as persistent and the backups are sent to the storage target. Persistent snapshots are not retained because backup-sequence-related snapshots might be merged by the Dell Compellent array manager

Click Save, enter a name in the Create New Set dialog box, and click Save.

The name can contain alphanumeric and non-alphanumeric characters, but it cannot contain non-Latin characters. On Windows, there is no length restriction; however, a maximum of 40 characters is recommended.

Finalizing and submitting a VSS backup job

The final steps include setting additional options on the Schedule, Target Storage, and Advanced Options pages, submitting the job, and monitoring the progress by using the Job Status and View Logs pages. These pages and options are common to all NetVault Backup Plug-ins. For more information, see the Quest NetVault Backup Administrator’s Guide.

Use the Schedule, Target Storage, and Advanced Options lists to configure any additional required options.

Click Save or Save & Submit, whichever is applicable.


	TIP: To run a job that you have already created and saved, select Manage Job Definitions in the Navigation pane, select the applicable job, and click Run Now.

You can monitor progress on the Job Status page and view the logs on the View Logs page. For more information, see the Quest NetVault Backup Administrator’s Guide.