Unable to collect the necessary metadata

[MrHoek_]

Dear Symantec users,

I'm facing a problem with our SQL server where the error is as following:
Backup Exec failed to snap virtual machine '\ABC\vm\(ServerName)' and was unable to collect the necessary metadata to restore individual application items. You cannot perform GRT-enabled restores of application data from this backup.

Our SQL server is running in a VMware environment and I want a GRT backup so I can restore individual file.

What have I done?
1. I use Backupexec VSS provider instead of the VMware provider, so I do not have installed the VSS provider that comes with the installation of the VMware tools
2. I have reinstalled the Remote Backup Agent on the server
3. Made sure if the Backup Remote Agent fails the service will restart
4. The option (GRT is enabled)
5. The option (Microsoft SQL GRT is enabled, the other options or disabled)
6. AOFO is not selected in the settings since its a complete VM backup
7. Have made a snapshot in VMware from the server which succeeds.
8. Searched the forums/internet with topic's concedering this problem, there are enough topic's about it, but not the one I need.
9. Check the event viewer if I could found an error but there is none.

Restore
When I look in the restore from the SQL server I can see all the files are standing there and when I do a restore I get the following error:
Directory _SharedHardlinkData_ was not found, or could not be accessed.

None of the files or subdirectories contained within will be backed up.

The directory or file was not found, or could not be accessed.

What do I want/need
1. What is the reason I can not restore invidual files from the server, and that the restore succeeds
2.A solution for this problem so the backup turns green instead of orange

I hope that someone could help me in the right direction or knows a solution.

Kind regards,
Martijn
 

[MrHoek_]

I have created a case by symantec support because of the impact that is not working currently

[Striker_303]

So you are backing up this SQL VM using BE AVVI agent .

1)- Try to backup this VM like a normal machine (under domains using BE remote agnet) and

     see what error you get.

2)- Have you rebooted VM after removing Vmware VSS from Vm tools

3)- Do you have any Dynamic, independent disk etc on this VM?

[Colin_Weaver]

Do you have any GPT disks or are the SQL database files located in mount points for volumes instead  into volumes that have drive letters?

[VJware]

have you looked at - http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH141982 ?

[MrHoek_]

Dear Striker303,

Thanks you for your reply.

1) Backing up under the Domain with BE agent works
2) I have indeed rebooted the server
3) The disks are Dynamic (we use a storage)

Thank you for helping me

[MrHoek_]

Dear Colin,

I hope I can answer your question since I'm not quit clear what you mean, and or my technical level is less then yours.

We have several disks which are combined in two storage device.
Lun1 and Lun2
The VM's that we have created get hard disk space from Lun1 or Lun2

We have on our SQL server 3 hard disk, those hard disk have all driver letters.

I don't think I have answer your question good enough, sorry for my lack of good english knowledge.

Kind regards,
Martijn
 

[MrHoek_]

Dear VJware,

I have indeed looked at that link, and that is also what the symantec technical engineer gave me.
Below I will explain what I have got from the enigeer I have spoken.

Kind regards,
Martijn

[MrHoek_]

Problem 1
Restore
When I look in the restore from the SQL server I can see all the files are standing there and when I do a restore I get the following error:
Directory _SharedHardlinkData_ was not found, or could not be accessed.

Solution / Workaround
http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH164266
It is possible to restore some files but not all, so when not all the files are back you can mount those VMDK files and then manually get them out.

Point of attention
Symantec acknowledge there is indeed a problem with restoring and expecting that a new Release wil come out on Q1 2012.
 

Problem 2
I'm facing a problem with our SQL server where the error is as following:
Backup Exec failed to snap virtual machine '\ABC\vm\(ServerName)' and was unable to collect the necessary metadata to restore individual application items. You cannot perform GRT-enabled restores of application data from this backup.

Solution / Workaround
http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH141982
There is no solution or workaround avaible for this one

Point of attention
Symantec acknowledge there is indeed a problem with restoring and expecting that a new Release wil come out on Q1 2012.


I have as well other problem pending at Symantec which are now to the more advanced team, if people are intrested into this I can as well post those problems below.
For now I want to thank you all for helping me and putting your time and support for a solution.

[Striker_303]

GPT disk are not supported for GRT backups with AVVI

http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH69498

logon to the Virtual Machine and Open a elevated command prompt and run DISKPART to determine if a drive is GPT or Dynamic disk. 
Use the "list disk" command in diskpart to display Disk information.

http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH156563