Agent support for Microsoft SQL 2005?

[Evan_Waite]

Now that SQL 2005 is released, can someone update us on the planned release date for agent support on x86 and x64 versions of SQL 2005? This article (http://support.veritas.com/docs/276497) hasn't been updated since May 2005 so it isn't much help. NetBackup already claims support for SQL 2005 but so far nothing for BackupExec.

Thanks in advance

[Evan_Waite]

For all who are watching this thread, here's a little progress.

Veritas released a 10.1 remote agent for x64 today. It still doesn't support SQL/Exchange/etc backups but at least easier to find and install (and maybe a step closer to getting full backup support matching IA64 and x86)

Here is the URL. I'll keep this thread alive until we get some movement on x64 backup of SQL (2000 or 2005).

http://support.veritas.com/docs/280701

[Ortho_Lawton]

Interesting, the new x64 agent for BE 10.1 crashes when you try to use it to backup a Windows XP x64.

The old x64 agent for BE 10 works fine on Windows XP x64

[Evan_Waite]

Ok, it's been about 10 days since I bumped this thread up. Still no useful answer or info from Veritas on IF they will ever support SQL 2005 (or any other DB module) on the x64.

To Veritas Support Staff: Please update us on any progress or planned release. I (and many others) have been waiting for a real answer for WAY TO LONG.

[Deepali_Badave]

Hello,

Please refer the following SCL:

http://support.veritas.com/docs/278254

Please subscribe to our Email Notification Service for latest updates and new releases:



NOTE : If we do not receive your reply within two business days, this post would be marked assumed answered and would be moved to answered questions pool.

[Evan_Waite]

Hi Deepali,

Thank you for the information (although I've seen this document before in my own searches). I have a few comments on that document (http://support.veritas.com/docs/278254
).

Under the "Windows Database Compatibility" section, you list Microsoft SQL 2005 (x64) with a note #15. Note #15 says:

15. Remote Agent support requires the download of an updated Remote Agent for Windows Servers for x64. The latest version of the agent is located at http://support.veritas.com/docs/280701

This would leave someone to believe SQL 2005 is supported under x64 when in reality, it is not. I'm hoping this was simply a mistake on the part of Veritas and not false advertising.

[Deepali_Badave]

Hello Evan,

We are pleased to announce that SQL 2005 is supported on x64 OS.


We apologize for an unintended confusion caused due to earlier information mentioned in the following technote:

http://seer.support.veritas.com/docs/280701.htm

We will soon modify the Hotfix 1 technote.

[Evan_Waite]

Hi Deepali,

I'm a bit confused, are you saying 10d hotfix 1 (RAWS64EX version 10.1.5629) supports the backup of SQL 2005 x64 on Windows 2003 x64? Or are you saying you are releasing an updated hotfix that will support SQL backup.

The reason for my confusion is BackupExec 10d Hotfix 1 (released on 12/08/2005) does NOT support any type of database backup (SQL, Exchange, etc). This is mentioned in the tech note and we've verified this on our network.

Can you please clarify and provide any additional details.

Thank you,

Evan

[Ortho_Lawton]

The latest agent with the latest patch does seem to support SQL2005 on x64.
At least I can now select the SQL 2005 databases for backup, I won't know until I actually run a job tonight whether it works or not though.

[Deepali_Badave]

Hello Evan,

The Hotfix 1 technote for BEWS 10d mentions that additional Backup Exec Agent Options (i.e. Exchange, SQL, Oracle, Lotus Notes, IDR, etc.) are not supported on x64 OS. However, BEWS 10d - software compatibility List mentions that SQL 2005 is supported on x64 OS.

This has caused confusion as we have different information in both the technotes. We have confirmed that SQL 2005 (not SQL 2000 or any other above mentioned options) is supported on x64 OS.

Soon we are going to modify the Hotfix 1 technote.

Link to both the technotes is given below:
http://support.veritas.com/docs/280701
http://support.veritas.com/docs/278254

[Evan_Waite]

Hi Deepali,

Was this SQL 2005 support added with another hotfix released after Hotfix 1? We (and a number of others) tried using just Hotfix 1 (installed on the remote x64 server) and were unable to "see" the SQL server listed in the selection list. We were able to select the file shares (C$, D$, etc) but not SQL.

Either way this seems like good news for everyone who has been waiting. Some information on which other hotfixes are required (if any) would be excellent.

Thanks,

Evan

[Ortho_Lawton]

I thought it was too good to be true, although I can see the SQL 2000 databases on x64 and select them for backup now they don't actually backup.

For every database it says :-

The Item servername\databasename in use - skipped

[David_Chadwick]

Hi Evan,

I've just been reading all your threads about x64 support (or lack thereof) in Backup Exec 10d (10.1). Thanks for keeping up the pressure. Make lots and lots of noise! :)

I see that this thread has been a bit quiet lately. I hope they didn't break your spirit!!

What is the current story? This thread seems to end inconclusively. It looks like Veritias is saying that the latest x64 agent does support SQL 2005 x64, but noone actually confirms this.

Does the x64 agent still only support file and system state backups and that is all?

It's awful that Veritas can't make a clear statement about this. I don't blame the support people. If they don't understand or have the knowledge then there isn't anything they can do. Veritas/Symantec should do better though.

Keep up the good work!

Seeya,
David

[Evan_Waite]

Hey David,

Haha no I didn't let them break my spirit (although my frustration level was pretty high by early Jan). Sorry I forgot to update the thread with our tests of the x64 agent.

We have confirmed that the current x64 remote agent for BackupExec 10.1 (10d) DOES support the backup of SQL 2005 but only SQL 2005 (not SQL 2000/Oracle/etc). We have not tested it in a SQL cluster. The initial info was from Veritas was “clear as mud” but eventually we got a straight answer and some updated documentation.

To make everyone’s life easier, I’ve outlined the required hotfixes (with links) and provided some basic instructions.

1. Download (these are the two required hotfixes for SQL 2005 under x64):
- BackupExec 10.1 Hotfix 1 (http://support.veritas.com/docs/280701)
- BackupExec 10.1 Hotfix 6 (http://support.veritas.com/docs/280204)

2. Install both hotfixes on the media server (should do all available hotfixes while you are at it)

3. Uninstall any previous (ex: 10.0.5520) version of the x64 agent from the SQL 2005 server.

4. Follow the updated x64 agent installation instructions from Veritas (http://support.veritas.com/docs/281081)

5. Verify you can browse and select databases for backup from the SQL 2005 server.

Hope this helps,

Evan Waite

PS. Veritas tech support, I am now marking this question as answered.

[Gary_Rice]

Has anyone tried this on a cluster? I have all the hotfixes installed. I can see SQL Databases on each physical node of the cluster, but not under the Virtual SQL Name. If I try to select SQL from one of the physical nodes, I get an error that it appears SQL is not running. I guess that would make sense, because I really need to see them under the virtual SQL name, correct? If anyone has any input, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks.

[craig_szucs]

Good to see you've finally got a resolution to your SQL woes Evan. Unfortunately i'm using SQL2000 so am still struggling. Any news from the Veritas powers that be whether there will ever be support for SQL2000?