Forum Discussion

RodeoStar's avatar
RodeoStar
Level 2
13 years ago

Is an agent required to backup the Backup Exec server

Hi All,

Is an agent license required in order to backup the Backup Exec server itself?

We have a small environment and another application/SQL instance is installed on the physical Backup Exec server.  Can this server be backed up without a Windows Agent?  Are there any limitations?

I appreciate that in order to perform a granular recovery of the SQL instance I would need the SQL agent.

Thanks in advance!

2012
Agents
Backup and Recovery
Backup Exec
Licensing
  • SuperBrain's avatar
    SuperBrain
    13 years ago

    The base product is VSS aware but only for open files (for example PST files). Using VSS it will not backup live SQL databaes.

    Having said that, if you're referring to a disaster recovery situation,

    Yes - you will be able to recover the media server (provided you have a good full backup of volumes and system state) but not the SQL databases (because of no SQL Agent present, you did not back them up)

    -----------------------------------------

    In other words:

    If Backup Exec is installed on a machine which also has Microsoft SQL installed (and hosts some databses)

    Situation 1:
    Only a Backup Exec base license is installed.

    Will allow you to:
    a. Backup flat files and/or System State
    b. Restore flat files and/or System State
    c. Allow you to perform a disaster recovery of the server (excliding SQL databaese)

     

    Situation 2:
    Backup Exec base AND an Agent for SQL licenses are installed.

    Will allow you to:
    a. Backup flat files and/or System State and/or live SQL databaes.
    b. Restore flat files and/or System State and/or SQL databases.
    c. All you to perform a disaster recovery of the server (including SQL databases)

  • SuperBrain's avatar
    SuperBrain
    Moderator
    13 years ago

    You do need an Agent for SQL license if you wish to backup live SQL databases.

    As far as the Remote Agent is concerned, no, you don't need to install any additional remote agent since the Backup Exec Media server already has a Remote Agent service and is capable of backing up itself.

  • RodeoStar's avatar
    RodeoStar
    Level 2
    13 years ago

    Thanks Bhavik.

    So are you saying the SQL Agent is needed to backup individual databases or is it also required to produce a consistent server level backup on a server running a SQL Server instance?

    We do not have a requirement for any granular restoration of individual databases.

    So does this media server need a SQL Agent license?

  • SuperBrain's avatar
    SuperBrain
    Moderator
    13 years ago

    SQL Agent license is required only if you have to backup live SQL databases which you may have on you media server.

    If you do not have any specific requirements to backup live SQL databases and if you only wish to backup the Media Server itself (Flat Files and System State) you only need to have a Base license installed.

  • RodeoStar's avatar
    RodeoStar
    Level 2
    13 years ago

    So is the base product VSS aware.  Would it produce a consistent backup of a server running SQL Server.  Or is the SQL Agent the only way to ensure you can successfully restore a server running SQL Server?

    Thanks for your perseverance.  I'll get there in the end :-)

  • SuperBrain's avatar
    SuperBrain
    Moderator
    13 years ago

    The base product is VSS aware but only for open files (for example PST files). Using VSS it will not backup live SQL databaes.

    Having said that, if you're referring to a disaster recovery situation,

    Yes - you will be able to recover the media server (provided you have a good full backup of volumes and system state) but not the SQL databases (because of no SQL Agent present, you did not back them up)

    -----------------------------------------

    In other words:

    If Backup Exec is installed on a machine which also has Microsoft SQL installed (and hosts some databses)

    Situation 1:
    Only a Backup Exec base license is installed.

    Will allow you to:
    a. Backup flat files and/or System State
    b. Restore flat files and/or System State
    c. Allow you to perform a disaster recovery of the server (excliding SQL databaese)

     

    Situation 2:
    Backup Exec base AND an Agent for SQL licenses are installed.

    Will allow you to:
    a. Backup flat files and/or System State and/or live SQL databaes.
    b. Restore flat files and/or System State and/or SQL databases.
    c. All you to perform a disaster recovery of the server (including SQL databases)