Backup of VM with Windows Dynamic Disks

Where did you see about that error? Missed that one. I believe it had an issue using VCB but not seen any errors about this related to the vSphere API backups - sure it would have made some headlines somewhere.

I have seen this one http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH141059 but it is a little more specific in the use of the Dynamic Disks I believe

In my experience I have not noticed any issues - hope this helps or re-assures you but please share the information you mention - Thanks

Backup fails with status 156, when "Quiesce Virtual Machine" =  "Enabled"

==========

30/01/2012 18:26:18 - Info nbjm(pid=4468) starting backup job (jobid=9579) for client SRV-W2K8R2-DATA, policy PL_VM_ALL, schedule Full  
30/01/2012 18:26:18 - Info nbjm(pid=4468) requesting STANDARD_RESOURCE resources from RB for backup job (jobid=9579, request id:{711D9ADF-98AE-47A8-A51A-449B9B4CACF6})  
30/01/2012 18:26:18 - requesting resource STU_Dedup
../..
30/01/2012 18:26:19 - begin Flash Backup Windows, Create Snapshot
30/01/2012 18:26:19 - started process bpbrm (6544)
30/01/2012 18:26:36 - Critical bpbrm(pid=6544) from client SRV-W2K8R2-DATA: FTL - snapshot creation failed, status 156   
30/01/2012 18:26:36 - Warning bpbrm(pid=6544) from client SRV-W2K8R2-DATA: WRN - ALL_LOCAL_DRIVES is not frozen    
30/01/2012 18:26:36 - Info bpfis(pid=6548) done. status: 156          
30/01/2012 18:26:36 - end Flash Backup Windows, Create Snapshot; elapsed time: 00:00:17
30/01/2012 18:26:36 - end writing Status 156
30/01/2012 18:26:36 - end Flash Backup Windows, Start Notify Script; elapsed time: 00:00:18
../..
30/01/2012 18:26:37 - end Flash Backup Windows, End Notify Script; elapsed time: 00:00:00 Status 156
30/01/2012 18:26:37 - end Flash Backup Windows, Delete Snapshot On Exit; elapsed time: 00:00:01 snapshot error encountered(156)
30/01/2012 18:26:41 - Info bpfis(pid=0) done. status: 156: snapshot error encountered      

==========

But wihout "Quiesce Virtual Machine" =  "Disabled", or if I remove the "Dynamic Disk" job is successfull :

==========

30/01/2012 18:27:48 - Info nbjm(pid=4468) starting backup job (jobid=9580) for client SRV-W2K8R2-DATA, policy PL_VM_ALL, schedule Full  
30/01/2012 18:27:48 - Info nbjm(pid=4468) requesting STANDARD_RESOURCE resources from RB for backup job (jobid=9580, request id:{001B4B7F-985E-4723-8E28-AD5D9C339501})  
30/01/2012 18:27:48 - requesting resource STU_Dedup
30/01/2012 18:27:48 - requesting resource srv-symnbu-vl1.NBU_CLIENT.MAXJOBS.SRV-W2K8R2-DATA
30/01/2012 18:27:48 - requesting resource srv-symnbu-vl1.NBU_POLICY.MAXJOBS.PL_VM_ALL
30/01/2012 18:27:48 - granted resource srv-symnbu-vl1.NBU_CLIENT.MAXJOBS.SRV-W2K8R2-DATA
30/01/2012 18:27:48 - granted resource srv-symnbu-vl1.NBU_POLICY.MAXJOBS.PL_VM_ALL
30/01/2012 18:27:48 - granted resource MediaID=@aaaak;DiskVolume=PureDiskVolume;DiskPool=DP_Dedup;Path=PureDiskVolume;StorageServer=srv-symnbu-vl1;MediaServer=srv-symnbu-vl1
30/01/2012 18:27:48 - granted resource STU_Dedup
../..  
30/01/2012 18:27:49 - begin Create Snapshot
30/01/2012 18:27:49 - Info bpfis(pid=6568) Backup started           
30/01/2012 18:27:49 - snapshot backup of client SRV-W2K8R2-DATA using method VMware
30/01/2012 18:27:49 - Info RUNCMD(pid=6488) started            
30/01/2012 18:27:49 - Info RUNCMD(pid=6488) exiting with status: 0         
Status 0
30/01/2012 18:27:49 - end Create Snapshot; elapsed time: 00:00:00
30/01/2012 18:27:49 - begin Flash Backup Windows, Step By Condition
Status 0
30/01/2012 18:27:49 - end Flash Backup Windows, Step By Condition; elapsed time: 00:00:00
30/01/2012 18:27:49 - begin Flash Backup Windows, Read File List
Status 0
30/01/2012 18:27:49 - end Flash Backup Windows, Read File List; elapsed time: 00:00:00
30/01/2012 18:27:49 - begin Flash Backup Windows, Create Snapshot
30/01/2012 18:27:49 - started process bpbrm (6620)
30/01/2012 18:27:57 - Info bpfis(pid=6568) done. status: 0          
30/01/2012 18:27:57 - end Flash Backup Windows, Create Snapshot; elapsed time: 00:00:08
30/01/2012 18:27:57 - end writing
Status 0
30/01/2012 18:27:57 - end Flash Backup Windows, Start Notify Script; elapsed time: 00:00:09
30/01/2012 18:27:57 - begin Flash Backup Windows, Policy Execution Manager Preprocessed
30/01/2012 18:28:02 - Info bpfis(pid=0) done. status: 0: the requested operation was successfully completed   

==========

Check disk management on Windows VM whether disk is in missing status or configured with RAID-5 or GPT.
http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1003793

I have upgraded to ESX 4.1 Update 2.

Now, the backup of VM with Windows Dynamic Disks and "Quiesce Virtual Machine Enabled" is successfull.

SO, TECH179969 is the good one !