12-06-2011 06:25 AM
I currently use Smantec Backup Exec 11.d to take copys of our 2 business critical SQL databases.
I create a .BAK file of these using the database maintenance plans within SQL Server Enterprise Manager, every night at 7pm, and then use Backup Exec 11.d to store the .BAK files to tape.
I am due to upgrade to Backup Exec 2010 with SQL Server Agent in the next few days, however i cannot find much on user manuals / instructions / guides.
How will i then backup my 2 main databases, in order to restore them on our test server for disaster recovery process?
Is it just a case of launching Backup Exec 2010 with SQL Server Agent , selecting Database 1 and Database 2 within the selections options, and that is the full databases stored? And to restore these to our recovery server, is it again just a case of launching Backup Exec 2010 , clicking restore, and selecting my 2 databases?
sorry if this is a bit confusing,
many thanks
Solved! Go to Solution.
12-07-2011 02:32 AM
...you'll be able to catalog the tape, but not restore SQL at all as it wouldn't know what to look for.
12-06-2011 06:32 AM
Hi,
So this is how it works:
1. Load the SQL agent license key onto the media server which unlocks the SQL functionality. It allows BE to see SQL instances and backup/restore to them.
2. Create a new selection list and select the actual SQL instance on a particular server.
Don't use AOFO when backing up the SQL DBs as this will cause issues during backups and/or restores.
For further information, check the TN below on best practices:
http://www.symantec.com/docs/HOWTO21793
12-06-2011 06:34 AM
Refer to best practices of SQL Agent
http://www.symantec.com/docs/HOWTO21793
For Disaster recovery of SQL server refer to below article.
http://www.symantec.com/docs/HOWTO24335
12-06-2011 06:51 AM
thank you very much guys,
can i ask 1 more quick question,
what do you mean exactly by "dont use AOFO when backing up the SQL DBs"?
kind regards
12-06-2011 06:55 AM
AOFO is used to take a backup of open files (files which are accessed by some other application at the time of backup)
AOFO is recommended for flat files not for DB's
12-06-2011 06:55 AM
AOFO = Advanced Open File Option, which is used to back up open files. When used with DB backups, it does tend to cause issues when either restoring or backing up. Rather don't select this with SQL, and let BE use VSS instead...
12-06-2011 08:47 AM
thank you very much!
going to give it a try tomorrow night.
database 1 is 10gb in size (and takes around 30 mins to backup as a .bak file via SQL server enterprise manager)
database 2 is 195gb in size (and takes around 2 hours to backup as a .bak file via SQL server enterprise manager)
any idea roughly how long it will take to backup via SQL server agent?
last question i promise!
12-06-2011 08:54 AM
Longer then the .bak file backup.
12-06-2011 05:47 PM
Under the hood, when you use the BE SQL agent to backup a SQL database, BE calls the SQL Server API to do the backup. Likewise, when you do a restore, BE uses the SQL Server API.
12-07-2011 01:47 AM
thank you so much for your help
can i just check 1 final thing
server 1 will have BACKUP EXEC 2010 with SQL SERVER AGENT INSTALLED
server 2 (disaster recovery server) will have BACKUP EXEC 2010 (no SQL server agent installed)
can i still restore my database backups from server 1 onto server 2, despite it not having the SQL server agent
kind regards
12-07-2011 02:29 AM
To be compliant you need 1 SQL Agent license per SQL server. You need to install the
RAWS on the SQL server, its the license key which makes difference in the functionality.
So without SQL agent you will not be able to peform restore.
12-07-2011 02:32 AM
...you'll be able to catalog the tape, but not restore SQL at all as it wouldn't know what to look for.
12-07-2011 02:49 AM
thank you, looks like i need another license then!
ouch pricey!