Forum Discussion

inn_kam's avatar
inn_kam
Level 6
14 years ago
Solved

How to map network drive for SQL backups?

Dear 

i am at production side for one customer.

they are already taking backups for SQL Server on tapes

now they want to take backups on disk

so without making media server they have mounted Network drive Y: on master server

now i want to make storage unit by sharing this network drive (containing space for taking SQL backups)

so how will i make storage unit for network drive without making media server?

Backing Up
Backup and Recovery
NetBackup
  • Mark_Solutions's avatar
    Mark_Solutions
    14 years ago

    The configuration indicates that you have mounted it as a network drive (Y drive) but also shared a folder on it (named backup) is that correct?

    As Marianne says the NetBackup client service account will need to be running as an account that has that drive letter mapped (persistently) and also has full rights to the backup share located on that mapped drive.

    You may still have issues as NetBackup will struggle to determine accurately the free disk speace etc. of that drive so if there is a way that you can set the disk as a mount point, or using iSCSI, it would be far better

    Hope this helps

11 Replies

  • revarooo's avatar
    revarooo
    Level 6
    14 years ago

    I would advise against using a network mapped drive as a storage unit.

    Just use the server that hosts that drive as the media server for such backups.

  • Marianne's avatar
    Marianne
    Level 6
    14 years ago
    To configure DSU, you need to install media server software. I agree with Revaroo - rather install media server software on the server with big storage. Network drive (using UNC path) is supported, but not best practice. You will need to install media server software on SQL host which will add bptm process overheads on the client while data will still be sent over the network. So, unless data can be backed up locally (disk or tape) there is no benifit in turning SQL server into a media server.
  • inn_kam's avatar
    inn_kam
    Level 6
    14 years ago

    But Media server need another license and customer wants to work without purchasing another license

  • Marianne's avatar
    Marianne
    Level 6
    14 years ago

    If you configure SQL host as media server, customer will in any case need license Enterprise Client license in order to configure as SAN Media server.

    Better to zone/attach big storage directly to SQL host.

  • revarooo's avatar
    revarooo
    Level 6
    14 years ago

    If your customer wants a stable environment then homing the drive on the server (rather than using mapped network drives) is the way to go. If they want to use the 'cheap' option then expect degraded performance.

     

  • Mark_Solutions's avatar
    Mark_Solutions
    Level 6
    14 years ago

    You could use a UNC path for the DSU on the Master Server but it really isn't great.

    It may be better set as a mount point and use it that way.

    One solution may to have your SQL Maintenance plan (I am assuming that you are not using the SQL Agent) set tp write to this new disk location and then have it backed up via UNC path by the Master

    Please clarify exactly what you want to do here and we will try and help you more

  • Marianne's avatar
    Marianne
    Level 6
    14 years ago
    Change NBU Client Service logon account on Master server to a domain account with write access to the UNC path. Test write access by logging on as this user, then test by creating txt file in this path. Hope this helps.
  • Mark_Solutions's avatar
    Mark_Solutions
    Level 6
    14 years ago

    The configuration indicates that you have mounted it as a network drive (Y drive) but also shared a folder on it (named backup) is that correct?

    As Marianne says the NetBackup client service account will need to be running as an account that has that drive letter mapped (persistently) and also has full rights to the backup share located on that mapped drive.

    You may still have issues as NetBackup will struggle to determine accurately the free disk speace etc. of that drive so if there is a way that you can set the disk as a mount point, or using iSCSI, it would be far better

    Hope this helps

  • inn_kam's avatar
    inn_kam
    Level 6
    14 years ago

    Dear Mark Solution

    We want disk  backup of  SQL Server   at  AD Server.

    so we Mount ADSERVER [folder name backup  as Y: (Network Drive) ]                                                            on master server  as network 

    so i made a storage unit and give the path as \\adsvr\backup 

    i also made  the policy test_SQL and manually run it , but it shows error Disk volume is down.

      Now Help me please: