Docu85744 - NetWorker Module For Microsoft For SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
Docu85744 - NetWorker Module For Microsoft For SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
User Guide
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2 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
CONTENTS
Figures 7
Tables 9
Preface 11
Chapter 1 Introduction 15
Using NMM with Virtual Device Interface API............................................. 16
NMM backup and recovery workflow..........................................................18
Traditional backup workflow (stand-alone backup over a storage
node)............................................................................................. 18
Federated backup workflow (AlwaysOn Availability Group
configuration)................................................................................ 19
Recovery workflow........................................................................20
SQL Server cluster environments............................................................... 22
SQL Server backups................................................................................... 23
Types of supported backups..........................................................23
Setting backup levels.....................................................................25
Backup promotion..........................................................................28
SQL Server recovery.................................................................................. 30
Types of supported recovery......................................................... 30
Recovery modes.............................................................................31
Recovery time............................................................................... 32
Recovery window restrictions........................................................32
The recovery process.................................................................... 33
SQL Server instance and database names for backup and recovery........... 33
Named and default instances of SQL Server................................. 34
Supported special characters in database names for NMM backup
and recovery .................................................................................35
Chapter 2 Configuration 37
Configuring NMM in a SQL VDI environment..............................................38
Supported Windows Server and SQL Server versions................... 38
Migrating from VSS solution to VDI solution for SQL Server data
protection......................................................................................38
Multi-stream Data Domain Boost...................................................38
Microsoft SQL Server Always On Availability Group feature .........38
SQL Client Direct to AFTD or DD devices...................................... 39
Microsoft SQL Server named log marks........................................ 40
Database consistency checks........................................................ 40
Microsoft hybrid cloud environments............................................ 42
Transparent data encryption..........................................................42
Setting the MAXTRANSFERSIZE environment variable................ 43
NMM 9.2 compatibility with NetWorker 8.2.3 or later servers ...................44
Configuring user privileges to perform NMM operations ........................... 44
Adding a user to a Windows policy.................................................46
NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide 3
CONTENTS
4 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
CONTENTS
NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide 5
CONTENTS
6 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
FIGURES
NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide 7
FIGURES
8 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
TABLES
1 Revision history...........................................................................................................12
2 Style conventions........................................................................................................12
3 Backup levels in NMM for SQL VDI backups...............................................................24
4 Backup levels for SQL Server data............................................................................. 25
5 Full backup every 1 to 2 weeks....................................................................................26
6 Logs-only backup after a full backup.......................................................................... 26
7 Backup level advantages and disadvantages............................................................... 27
8 Creating additional backup levels with data objects.................................................... 27
9 Backup level promotion process ................................................................................ 28
10 Types of recovery for SQL Server VDI .......................................................................30
11 Recovery modes .........................................................................................................31
12 Supported special characters in database names....................................................... 35
13 Minimum required Windows roles for backup and restore operations in the SSMS
plugin..........................................................................................................................45
14 Where to start backup operations.............................................................................. 48
15 Where to start recovery operations............................................................................ 49
16 Command options for the nwmssql command............................................................ 49
17 SQL Server storage hierarchy display conventions..................................................... 51
18 Command options for nsrsqlsv ...................................................................................67
19 Command syntax for SQL Server data........................................................................73
20 Command syntax for names containing a period.........................................................75
21 Command syntax for names containing a backslash................................................... 75
22 Command syntax for names containing a colon.......................................................... 75
23 Command syntax for names containing periods, back slashes, and colons..................76
24 Tasks for configuring SQL Server VDI backups ..........................................................87
25 Backup levels for SQL Server data............................................................................. 88
26 Save sets....................................................................................................................96
27 Application Information field values............................................................................ 97
28 Advanced recovery options........................................................................................114
29 Command options for nsrsqlrc .................................................................................. 118
30 Command syntax for SQL Server data...................................................................... 127
31 Command syntax for names containing a period....................................................... 129
32 Command syntax for names containing a backslash.................................................. 129
33 Command syntax for names containing a colon.........................................................130
34 Command syntax for names containing periods, back slashes, and colons................ 130
35 Modify the destination for the files in list options......................................................138
36 Fields on the General tab of the Restore Options dialog box......................................141
37 Advanced recovery options....................................................................................... 158
38 Guidelines for fail-safe striped recovery.................................................................... 183
39 Disaster recovery features........................................................................................ 186
40 Rebuilding SQL Server system databases................................................................. 188
41 Rebuilding SQL Server system databases................................................................. 189
42 Rebuilding SQL Server system databases................................................................. 190
43 Rebuilding SQL Server system databases................................................................. 192
44 Rebuilding SQL Server system databases.................................................................203
45 Rebuilding SQL Server system databases.................................................................206
46 Program and log file names without debug logging enabled......................................208
47 Program and log file names with debug logging enabled...........................................208
NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide 9
TABLES
10 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
Preface
Note
This document was accurate at publication time. To ensure that you are using the
latest version of this document, go to the Support website at https://
support.emc.com.
Purpose
This guide contains information about using the NetWorker Module for Microsoft
(NMM) Release 9.2 software to back up and recover SQL Server using the Virtual
Device Interface (VDI) technology.
Note
The NetWorker Module for Microsoft Administration Guide supplements the backup and
recovery procedures described in this guide and must be referred to when performing
application-specific tasks. Ensure to download a copy of the NetWorker Module for
Microsoft Administration Guide from the Support website at https://support.emc.com
before using this guide.
Audience
This guide is part of the NetWorker Module for Microsoft documentation set and is
intended for use by system administrators during the setup and maintenance of the
product. Readers should be familiar with the following technologies used in backup
and recovery:
l NetWorker software
l Microsoft Virtual Device Interface (VDI) technology
NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide 11
Preface
Revision history
The following table presents the revision history of this document.
01 July 28, 2017 First release of this document for NetWorker Module
for Microsoft release 9.2.
Related documentation
The NMM documentation set includes the following publications:
l NetWorker Module for Microsoft Release Notes
l NetWorker Module for Microsoft Administration Guide
l NetWorker Module for Microsoft Installation Guide
l NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL and SharePoint VSS User Guide
l NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI User Guide
l NetWorker Module for Microsoft for Exchange VSS User Guide
l NetWorker Module for Microsoft for Hyper-V VSS User Guide
l ItemPoint for Microsoft SQL Server User Guide
l ItemPoint for Microsoft Exchange Server User Guide
l ItemPoint for Microsoft SharePoint Server User Guide
l NetWorker documentation set
Special notice conventions that are used in this document
The following conventions are used for special notices:
NOTICE
Note
Typographical conventions
The following type style conventions are used in this document:
Bold Used for interface elements that a user specifically selects or clicks,
for example, names of buttons, fields, tab names, and menu paths.
Also used for the name of a dialog box, page, pane, screen area with
title, table label, and window.
12 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
Preface
Italic Used for full titles of publications that are referenced in text.
Monospace Used for:
l System code
l System output, such as an error message or script
l Pathnames, file names, file name extensions, prompts, and
syntax
l Commands and options
You can use the following resources to find more information about this product,
obtain support, and provide feedback.
Where to find product documentation
l https://support.emc.com
l https://community.emc.com
Where to get support
The Support website at https://support.emc.com provides access to licensing
information, product documentation, advisories, and downloads, as well as how-to and
troubleshooting information. This information may enable you to resolve a product
issue before you contact Support.
To access a product specific Support page:
1. Go to https://support.emc.com/products.
2. In the Find a Product by Name box, type a product name, and then select the
product from the list that appears.
3. Click the following button:
NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide 13
Preface
3. In the Search Support or Find Service Request by Number box, type a solution
number or keywords.
4. (Optional) To limit the search to specific products, type a product name in the
Scope by product box, and then select the product from the list that appears.
5. In the Scope by resource list box, select Knowledgebase.
The Knowledgebase Advanced Search panel appears.
6. (Optional) Specify other filters or advanced options.
7. Click the following button:
Live chat
To participate in a live interactive chat with a support agent:
1. Go to https://support.emc.com.
2. Click Chat with a Support Agent.
Service requests
To obtain in-depth help from Support, submit a service request. To submit a service
request:
1. Go to https://support.emc.com.
2. Click Create a Service Request.
Note
To create a service request, you must have a valid support agreement. Contact a sales
representative for details about obtaining a valid support agreement or with questions
about an account.
14 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
CHAPTER 1
Introduction
Introduction 15
Introduction
Note
If you are a NetWorker Module for SQL Server (NMSQL) user and are migrating to
NMM VDI, perform a full backup of the SQL Server data after you install NMM VDI.
NMM VDI cannot recover SQL snapshot data backed up with NMSQL.
The following figure describes the backup process that takes place between NMM and
the SQL Server using VDI:
1. The user starts the backup process with NMM.
2. The backup command is sent to the SQL Server. This interaction is performed
through the VDI API.
3. NMM reads the data from SQL Server and stores it on the NetWorker server.
4. NMM sends the backup status to the NetWorker Server and notifies the user
when the backup is complete.
16 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
Introduction
The following figure describes the recovery process that takes place between NMM
and the SQL Server using VDI:
1. The user starts the recovery process with NMM.
2. The restore command is sent to the SQL Server. This interaction is performed
through the VDI API.
3. NMM reads the data from the NetWorker server and passes the data to the SQL
Server using VDI.
4. NMM notifies the user when the recovery is complete.
18 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
Introduction
Note
NMM supports federated backups of any SQL Server with support for AlwaysOn
Availability Groups (SQL Server 2012 and later).
The backup starts from the nsrsqlsv program, which is started by using one of the
following:
l Command prompt
l Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio GUI
l NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI
The following process occurs during a federated backup:
1. The NetWorker server starts the nsrsqlsv program in the active node of the
Windows cluster (called the coordinator process).
2. The coordinator process queries the SQL Server and detects the Backup
Preference and priority from the Availability group, and starts the worker process
on the detected preferred node.
3. The backup is configured with and stored under the Windows cluster name on the
Availability Group.
Note
The coordinator process always goes through the nsrjobd service to start the
worker process on the secondary nodes to ensure that the NetWorker server and
nsrjobd can communicate with secondary nodes.
Recovery workflow
During a traditional recovery operation that uses a storage node without the Client
Direct feature, process interactions occur between the NetWorker client (that is,
NMM), the NetWorker server, and the SQL Server.
The following process occurs in a traditional recovery operation:
1. The nsrsqlrc program starts the recovery.
2. The NetWorker XBSA API translates the object names that NMM requests into a
format that NetWorker understands and forwards the translated object names to
the NetWorker server nsrd service.
3. The nsrmmd media service, contacts the nsrmmdbd service to search the
NetWorker server’s media database for the volumes that contain the requested
objects.
4. After the media is mounted, the nsrmmd program sends the data through the
NetWorker XBSA API to nsrsqlrc, which then sends data to the SQL Server.
The following figure shows the traditional recovery workflow.
20 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
Introduction
Recovery workflow 21
Introduction
Note
Backup and recovery of SQL Server data in a cluster with NMM requires Cluster
Client Connection licenses on the NetWorker server host. A separate Cluster Client
Connection license is required for each node in the cluster.
22 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
Introduction
client name. The client name is used for reading or writing to the NetWorker media
database and client file index. The NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI or the NMM
SSMS plugin GUI can be used only on the active node.
When you use the command line interface, use the nsrsqlsv -A <SQL virtual
server> backup command when the target database is a SQL cluster.
If the SQL Server fails over to the secondary cluster node and the NetWorker User for
SQL Server program is started on the secondary node, NMM automatically uses the
SQL virtual server name. The NMM SSMS plugin GUI shows all active clusters that
are running on the host in the SQl Server Instance list.
If one SQL virtual server is running on each physical node in the cluster, an active or
active cluster configuration exists, and the following events occur:
l If no failover occurs and each SQL virtual server is running on a different physical
node, NMM automatically communicates with the SQL virtual server that is
running on the same physical node.
l The Select SQL Instance option from the Operation menu on the NetWorker
User for SQL Server GUI is disabled.
However, if one of the physical cluster nodes goes offline (for example, if a failover
occurs) and both SQL virtual servers are running on the same physical cluster node
when the NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI is started, the Select SQL Instance
dialog box appears. The Select SQL Instance dialog box lists the SQL Server
instances. After you select an instance from the Select SQL Instance dialog box,
NMM tries to validate the instance as a NetWorker client.
Note
NMM can recover a full backup of SQL Server data (including files and file groups)
that were created with NMSQL. However, NMM cannot recover snapshot
(PowerSnap based) backups that were created with NMSQL.
Scheduled backup
The most reliable way of protecting SQL data is to ensure that backups of the SQL
Server are run at regular intervals, that is, scheduled backups. Scheduled backups
ensure that all SQL Server data, including the NetWorker server’s client indexes and
bootstrap file, is automatically saved. If a disaster occurs, the client indexes and
bootstrap file are vital for restoring data to the SQL Server.
Backup limitations
Due to SQL Server behavior, the following limitations apply to SQL Server backups:
l Only full backups (including copy-only full backups) are supported for simple
recovery model databases.
l Copy-only backups of databases, files, or file groups are supported only when they
run on secondary SQL Server replicas.
l Differential backups are not supported on secondary SQL Server replicas in an
Always On Availability Group configuration.
Backup levels
NMM supports three levels of backup.
Logs-only backup A logs-only backup that corresponds to a SQL Server transaction log
backup. A log file backup cannot be used to recover a database. A log
file backup is used after a database recovery to restore the database
to the point of the original failure.
Note
Cumulative A cumulative incremental backup captures all changes since the last
incremental full backup.
Note
NetWorker 8.2.x defines backup levels differently than NMM 9.2. If you are using
NetWorker 8.2.x server with the NMM 9.2 client, refer to the NetWorker Module for
Microsoft for SQL VDI User Guide version 8.2 SP1 for information about backup levels.
24 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
Introduction
Copy-only backups
You can take a manual SQL Server copy-only backup at any time without affecting the
backup schedule or log chain. You can perform copy-only backups at the full or logs-
only backup level.
Copy-only backups are not promoted to a different backup level, which allows other
backups to run without disrupting the backup chain.
Copy-only full backups are not considered level full backups during promotion. Having
a copy-only full backup does not prevent subsequent backups from being promoted to
a full backup.
Note
Note
NetWorker 8.2.x defines backup levels differently than NMM 9.2. If you are using
NetWorker 8.2.x server with the NMM 9.2 client, refer to the NetWorker Module for
Microsoft for SQL VDI User Guide version 8.2 SP1 for information about backup levels.
When you perform a logs-only backup for SQL Server data objects, ensure that the
SQL Server database options are correctly configured. The Microsoft SQL Server
documentation provides more information. Individual items are subject to promotion.
If the SQL Server manages a significant amount of data, schedule a backup of the
databases every 1 to 2 weeks, as shown in the following table.
Full Repeat
A level 1 cumulative incremental backup can also be scheduled after several days of
logs-only backups, as shown in the following table. This schedule backs up all data
since the previous full backup.
NOTICE
26 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
Introduction
Logs only l Faster backup time than a full backup. l Slow restore.
l Decreases the load on server and uses the l Data can spread across multiple volumes.
least volume of space. l Multiple transaction logs can spread across
l Enables point-in-time restore. multiple volumes.
Cumulative l Faster backup time than a full backup. Generally more time-consuming than a logs-only
incremental backup (depending on the backup schedule
l Captures all changes since the last full backup. strategy).
Full file or file group To create a level full file or file group backup of the selected files or file group, but
not their transaction logs, select one or more files or one or more filegroups.
Database logs only To create a database logs only level backup of only the logs only for the selected
database, select one or more databases.
The SQL database must be previously configured to enable logs only backups.
File or file group cumulative incremental To create a file or file group level cumulative incremental backup, select one or
more files or one or more filegroups. This backup only includes the changes that
are made to the selected files or filegroups since the last full level backup.
Backup promotion
Guidelines for Microsoft SQL Server best practices indicate that a full database
backup should be the first step in implementing a recovery strategy for a database. In
adhering to these guidelines, NMM supports backup level promotion. Backup level
promotion is based on data on the NetWorker server and the SQL Server.
Note
The following table explains the scenarios which cause backup promotion to occur.
Logs only Database full l A full database backup does not exist.
l A restore was done after the most recent full database
backup.
l The last database backup was not performed with NMM.
l The database name is "master" or "msdb."
l For Always On Availability Groups only, the last database
backup was taken with a different save set.
28 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
Introduction
File/Filegroup Full Database full l A full database backup does not exist.
l A restore was done after the most recent full database
Cumulative Database full
backup.
incremental
l The last database backup was not performed with NMM.
l The database name is "master" or "msdb."
l For Always On Availability Groups only, the last database
backup was taken with a different save set.
l Either the mirror partner has a more recent backup or its
Logs only Database full backup status cannot be determined.
Logs only Filegroup/file full Logs-only backups of files or filegroups are not supported.
Note
When backing up the 'msbd' and 'master' databases, the backup level is always set to
full and the backup promotion setting is ignored.
The Manual Backups chapter and the Scheduled Backups chapter provide more
information about changing backup promotion settings.
Backup promotion 29
Introduction
NOTICE
NMM supports recovery of a SQL Server 2012 or later database only after the Always
On Availability Group replication has been removed for the corresponding database.
The following table lists the types of recovery for SQL Server VDI in NMM.
Normal recovery NMM uses the normal restore type as The normal restore type restores:
the default.
l The entire set of data that is
associated with one or more SQL
Server backups, including full, logs
only, and cumulative incremental
backups.
l A file, file group, or a database to
the database originally backed up.
l Level full, level 1 (cumulative
incremental), and level logs only
backups in the order required by
SQL Server.
NMM can back up and restore
specified files and file groups. Also, a
single file group, or multiple file
groups or files, can be restored from
a full database backup.
Copy recovery A copy recovery is an operation in which The copy recovery type creates a copy
data is recovered to a SQL Server host of a database by restoring a SQL Server
other than the one from which it was database to a new location, or with a
backed up. A copy restore from and to new database name. The copy recovery
the same SQL Server instance can also type makes it easy to duplicate a
be done. database that was previously backed up.
30 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
Introduction
Flat file recovery Flat file recovery allows you to restore When you perform a flat file recovery,
the backup to a file. NMM writes the backup to files instead
of directly to the SQL database. This
feature allows you to restore the
recovery files later without access to the
network by using the standard T-SQL
file restore command.
Granular-level recovery (GLR) Granular-level recovery allows you to By using GLR with SQL Server, you can
recover SQL server data at the table recover individual tables to the
level. production database. This feature
reduces the space requirements on local
system storage during a restore
operation. Depending on the size of the
content database, GLR may also reduce
recovery time. Granular-level recovery is
performed using NMM and ItemPoint for
Microsoft SQL Server.
Recovery modes
To recover a database, you must specify a recovery mode. A recovery mode instructs
the SQL Server how to interact with the database after the recovery operation
completes. For instance, recovery modes can leave the database in an intermediate
state, so additional transaction logs can be applied.
The following table shows how the recovery modes correspond to SQL Server
database restore options.
Recovery modes 31
Introduction
Recovery time
Backups can be recovered to a specific time. The recovery time controls which backup
data should be reinstated when a database is recovered. The recovery time also
controls the portions of a logs only backup that must be recovered when NMM is
instructed to discard transactions that are performed after a particular time.
The default or current recovery time for each database comes from the create time of
the marked item. By default, the most recent backup is recovered. If the most recent
backup is logs only level or 1, dependent backups are recovered first. User-specified
recovery times can restore older backup versions or perform point-in-time recovery
operations. For example, a point-in-time recovery is specified by using a recovery time
that is earlier than the create time of the transaction log backup, but later than the
create time of the previous backup.
NMM provides three methods for recovering to a specific time:
l Database backup versions
l Point-in-time recovery of a transaction log (level logs only) backup
l Recovering to a named log mark
32 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
Introduction
Note
If there are two or more databases with the same name but with different
capitalization, such as DB1 and db1, NMM views these databases as the same and by
default backs up only one of the databases.
Note
When naming a SQL database or an instance, select unique names. The following list
provides examples of poor database name choices:
l The name that the SQL Server uses to identify itself (MSSQL:).
l Names of SQL instances that you have installed.
Use the following syntax to specify a SQL stand-alone named instance of SQL Server
at a command prompt:
An entry of MSSQL: for the Save Set attribute during the client resource configuration
yields a backup of all databases for the default instance.
When running multiple instances, the nsrsqlsv and nsrsqlrc commands support
specification of only one instance at a time. If save sets for more than one instance are
specified, the backup or restore operation fails.
Index entries for stand-alone named instances are created by using the local host on
which the instance is running. Index entries for clustered named instances are created
with the SQL virtual server name. To differentiate backups for the default instance
and named instances, the index name has been extended to logically partition the
index for a client.
All running named instances, except clustered instances and the default instance, are
maintained in the client file index directory. This named instance directory is created
at the end of each traditional backup. Run the nsrinfo command after a backup to
verify that this directory was created. For example, type:
%SystemDrive% nsrinfo -V -L -n mssql client_name
34 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
Introduction
Note
Note Note
Supported special characters in database names for NMM backup and recovery 35
Introduction
Note Note
Note Note
36 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
CHAPTER 2
Configuration
Configuration 37
Configuration
Migrating from VSS solution to VDI solution for SQL Server data protection
Review this section if you are using an NMM version earlier than NMM 2.4 to recover
SQL Server data with VSS technology and want to use NMM 8.2 or later to back up
and recover SQL Server data with VDI technology.
l If you are using NetWorker 8.2.x server with NMM 9.2 client, in the Backup
Group Properties window, clear the Snapshot option.
l Assign a backup schedule to the backup.
l In the Client Properties dialog box for each client resource:
n In the Backup Command field, type nsrsqlsv. For SQL virtual server in a
cluster environment, specify nsrsqlsv -A SQL virtual server.
n Leave the Application Information field empty.
n Change the save set to MSSQL: for SQL default instance-level backup or
MSSQL:dbname for database-level backup on a SQL default instance.
38 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
Configuration
Note
Note
If you are using NetWorker server 8.2.x, the backup level is incremental and the -l
incr option is used with the nsrsqlsv command.
Note
40 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
Configuration
If DBCC for a database fails, the failure status appears as part of the policy
notification and the database backup is omitted. The DBCC failure is reported in the
NMM logs or backup output page.
Note
NMM does not support backup and recovery of SQL Server data directly from the
hybrid cloud. If you are using the SQL Server 2016 Stretch Database feature, ensure
the data that you must back up and recover is onsite, otherwise the operation fails.
42 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
Configuration
The Microsoft SQL Server product documentation provides more information about
TDE, enabling data encryption, and protecting the encryption keys.
Note
When enabling TDE, back up the certificate and the private key associated with the
certificate. If the certificate becomes unavailable or if the database is restored on
another server, backups of both the certificate and the private key must be available
to open the database.
Note
For backup and recovery operations in the command line or the NetWorker User for
SQL Server GUI, an administrative user is required.
44 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
Configuration
Table 13 Minimum required Windows roles for backup and restore operations in the SSMS plugin
– Read
– Write
– List folder contents
The default data and log folder is the SQL Server installation path. For
example, for SQL Server 2012 the default path is C:\Program Files
\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL12.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\
Always On Availability Group backup and l Add the user to the "Create Global Objects" policy in User Rights Assignments
recovery (Local Security Policy).
l Provide the user with Read/Write permissions for SQL data and log folders.
l Provide the user with Read/Write permissions for the C:\Program Files
\EMC NetWorker\nsr\tmp folder.
l Run the PowerShell cmdlet Grant-ClusterAccess -User <username>
-Cluster <cluster name> -Full so that the user can access the
failover cluster information.
Note
l Provide the domain user full control permissions to the folder C:\Program
Files\EMC NetWorker\nsr\bin. The user must run the
nwssmsaddinapp.exe binary using administrator privileges.
Always On Availability Group on a l Add the user to the "Create Global Objects" policy in User Rights Assignments
failover cluster instance backup and (Local Security Policy).
recovery
l Provide the user with Read/Write permissions for SQL data and log folders.
l Provide the user with Read/Write permissions for the C:\Program Files
\EMC NetWorker\nsr\tmp folder.
l Provide the domain user full control permissions to the folder C:\Program
Files\EMC NetWorker\nsr\bin. The domain user must run the
nwssmsaddinapp.exe binary using administrator privileges.
l Provide the user full control permissions to the cluster drive (for example E:).
Table 13 Minimum required Windows roles for backup and restore operations in the SSMS
plugin (continued)
Note
Failover cluster instance backup and l Add the user to the "Create Global Objects" policy in User Rights Assignments
recovery (Local Security Policy).
l Provide the user with Read/Write permissions for SQL data and log folders.
l Provide the user with Read/Write permissions for the C:\Program Files
\EMC NetWorker\nsr\tmp folder.
l Provide the user full control permissions to the folder C:\Program Files
\EMC NetWorker\nsr\bin. The domain user must run the
nwssmsaddinapp.exe binary using administrator privileges.
l Provide the user full control permissions to the cluster drive (for example E:).
46 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
CHAPTER 3
Graphical User Interfaces
The following table summarizes the locations from which you can start recovery
operations.
48 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
Graphical User Interfaces
Note
Support for the NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI is deprecated in NMM 9.2. It is
recommended that you use the NMM SQL Server Management Studio plugin GUI for
all manual backup and recovery operations.
Views
The NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI has four windows.
l Backup—All backups are performed from the Backup window. Select the
database that must be backed up, and either right-click or select Options >
Backup Options to view the Backup Options window.
The following figure shows the Backup window.
Figure 7 Backup window
Restore Operation window. Select the icon to view the Restore Operation
window.
The Restore Operation window is shown in the following figure.
Figure 8 Restore Operation window
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l Change Server—You can choose the NetWorker server from the choices
available from this window. Select the icon to view the Change Server
window.
The Change Server window is shown in the following figure.
Figure 9 Change Server window
l Select SQL Instance—This window allows you to select the SQL instances that
you want to work with. Select the icon to view the Select SQL Instance
window.
The Select SQL Instance window is shown in the following figure.
Figure 10 Select SQL Instance window
Fake objects
NMM enables you to browse file groups and files that are contained in a database.
However, the software can display data items that are unavailable for backup or
restore operations. These items are referred to as fake objects.
52 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
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When a file or file group exists in the SQL Server storage hierarchy, but SQL Server
settings on the database prevent its backup, the item displays in the Backup window
with the fake file group or fake file convention. If you try to mark a fake object, an
error dialog box appears.
The following figure shows the error message for a fake object.
Figure 11 Marking a fake object
Views
The NetWorker window in the NMM SMSS plugin GUI has two main tabs and a third
optional tab with multiple pages in each.
The following figure shows the NetWorker window in the NMM SMSS plugin GUI.
Backup tab
In the NetWorker window, click the Backup tab to see the following pages which
must be used to perform backup operations:
l General
l Options
l Monitor
54 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
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l Options
l Monitor
Views 55
Graphical User Interfaces
56 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
CHAPTER 4
Manual Backups
Manual Backups 57
Manual Backups
Note
Filestream data, which are stored in SQL Server 2008 or later databases, is displayed
in the backup window as a single file group folder without subordinate objects.
The storage hierarchy is defined as the database storage components the SQL Server
Storage Engine exposes to third-party backup vendors. The storage components
include files, file groups, databases, and transaction logs.
When performing a manual full backup of a file or file group, also perform a database
logs-only level backup to maintain the validity of the transaction log. You can perform
logs-only backups only through the NMM Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio
plugin GUI, in the NetWorker window.
Note
Manual backups of SQL data do not back up the client indexes and bootstrap file. If
you are using NetWorker 8.2.x server with NMM 9.2, follow the instructions provided
in the "Backing up client indexes and a bootstrap file" section of the NetWorker
Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI Release User Guide version 8.2 SP1 to back up the
client indexes and bootstrap file. NetWorker server 9.0 and later have a built-in
protection policy to back up the client indexes and bootstrap file.
58 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
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preferred node. The database administrator can set the backup priority for the AG or a
database in the AG and nominate a particular replica for the backup. This feature
improves backup performance.
Note
Copy-only backups of databases, files, or file groups are supported when they are
executed on secondary SQL Server replicas. These backups are considered full
backups.
Note
Due to SQL Server behavior, the following limitations apply to SQL Server data
backups in an AG:
l Backups of a secondary SQL Server replica in an AG cannot be promoted to
different backup levels.
l Differential backups are not supported on secondary SQL Server replicas.
SQL Server 2012 or later provides the following options that determine where backups
run for a specific AG replica:
l AUTOMATED_BACKUP_PREFERENCE—Specify any one of the following options:
n PRIMARY—Specifies that the backups will always occur on the primary replica.
This option is useful if you need backup features, such as creating differential
backups, that are not supported when backup operations run on a secondary
replica.
n SECONDARY_ONLY—Specifies that backups will never be performed on the
primary replica. If the primary replica is the only replica that is online, the
backup will not occur.
n SECONDARY (Prefer Secondary)—Specifies that backups will not occur on a
secondary replica except when the primary replica is the only replica that is
online. In that case, the backup does not occur on the primary replica. This is
the default option.
n NONE (Any replica)—Specifies that you prefer that backup jobs ignore the role
of the availability replicas when choosing the replica on which to perform
backups. Note backup jobs might evaluate other factors such as backup
priority of each availability replica in combination with its operational state and
connected state.
l BACKUP_PRIORITY =n—Specifies your priority for performing backups on this
replica relative to the other replicas in the same availability group. The value is an
integer in the range of 0 - 100. These values have the following meanings:
n 0 indicates that this availability replica will never be chosen for performing
backups.
This choice is useful for a remote availability replica for which you never want
backups to fail over.
n 1 indicates the lowest priority that an availability replica could be chosen for a
backup operation.
If BACKUP_PRIORITY = 1, the availability replica will be chosen only if no higher
priority availability replicas are available.
n 100 indicates the highest priority that an availability replica could be chosen for
a backup operation.
Follow the procedures provided in the article “Configure Backup on Availability
Replicas (SQL Server)” on the Microsoft MSDN website http://
Note
Federated backup operations fail if a replica has the Readable Secondary field set to
No. For backups to succeed, in the Availability Group Properties window, set the
Readable Secondary configuration option to either Yes or Read-intent only for each
of the primary and secondary replicas.
Note
NetWorker 8.2.x uses separate policies for browse and retention. Refer to the
NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI User Guide version 8.2 SP1 for information
on the browse and retention policies for NetWorker 8.2.x.
If you specify a retention policy with a manual backup from the command prompt, the
retention policy takes effect for all the save sets in the manual backup. To specify a
retention policy with a manual backup at the command prompt, type the following
command:
nsrsqlsv -y
The retention policy value must be typed in time and date formats accepted by the
nsr_getdate program.
The NetWorker Command Reference Guide or the UNIX man pages provide more
information about the nsr_getdate program. Refer to the "Command Prompt"
chapter for information about using the nsrsqlsv command for manual backups.
If you do not specify a retention policy for a manual backup, the save sets in a manual
backup adopt the browse policy of the client resource. If multiple client resources
exist for the NetWorker host, the client resource with the longest retention policy is
adopted. However, if a retention policy is set up for the media pool to which the
backup is directed, the retention policy is the longer of either:
l The client resource retention policy
l The media pool retention policy
The NetWorker Administration Guide provides more information about retention
policies.
60 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
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Procedure
1. In the SQL Server Management Studio, select the SQL Server instance that you
want to manually back up and open the NetWorker window.
2. In the NetWorker window, on the Backup tab, under Select a page, click
General.
The General page appears.
The following figure shows the NetWorker window open to the Backup tab, on
the General page.
Figure 13 NetWorker Backup General page
Note
The backup levels are the same regardless of the version of the NetWorker
server you are using.
62 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
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Note
Note
64 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
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66 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
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-a Specifies whether to exclude simple recovery model databases from the backup.
"SKIP_SIMPLE_DATABASE={TRUE | The default value is FALSE.
FALSE}" This option is useful when SIMPLE recovery model databases are part of a
transaction log backup. SIMPLE recovery model databases do not support
transaction log backups and the backups are promoted to level full by default.
-a Specifies whether to check the status of the selected databases and ignore the
"NSR_SKIP_NON_BACKUPABLE_STAT databases that are not ready or available to be backed up. If the status of a
E_DB={TRUE | FALSE}" database is online, the database is ready and available to be backed up. If the status
of a database is offline, emergency (single user mode), suspect, restoring,
recovering, or recovery pending, the database is not ready or available to be backed
up.
The default value is FALSE.
-a "NSR_COPY_ONLY={TRUE | Performs a copy-only backup from the SQL Server. Copy-only backups do not
FALSE}" disturb the SQL Server backup chain and do not affect backup-level promotion and
-a "BACKUP_PROMOTION={ALL| Specifies backup promotion options. The following values are valid:
NONE|NONE_WITH_WARNINGS|
l ALL (Default): Enables backup promotion to occur in any applicable scenario.
SKIP_RECOVERY_MODEL|
SKIP_RECOVERY_MODEL_WITH_WARN l NONE: Disables all backup promotion.
INGS}"
l NONE_WITH_WARNINGS: Disables backup promotion, but logs a warning when
backup promotion would normally occur.
l SKIP_RECOVERY_MODEL: Disables database recovery model change
detection. Backup promotion as a result of recovery model change will not
occur, but backup promotion in other scenarios will still occur.
l SKIP_RECOVERY_MODEL_WITH_WARNINGS: Enables database recovery
model change detection, but if a recover model change is discovered, logs a
warning instead of promoting the backup. Backup promotion in other scenarios
will still occur.
The setting specified with this option applies to every database in the SQL instance
when this setting is specified along with the SQL instance level save set MSSQL: or
MSSQL$<instance name>.
Similarly, the setting specified with this option applies only to specified databases
when this setting is specified with a database level save set MSSQL: <database
name> or MSSQL$<instance name>: <database name>.
-a "Device interface={data Specifies whether data deduplication should be set with Data Domain or Avamar.
domain | avamar}"
-a "Deduplication client Specifies the deduplication client to use for the backup.
name=client"
-A virtual_server Specifies the virtual server name when a SQL Server is configured to run in an
MSCS cluster. The "Cluster Servers Backup and Recovery" chapter provides more
information.
-b pool_name Assigns a destination pool for a save set. Specifying -b pool_name overrides all
other pool-selection criteria either that is either provided by the NetWorker client
or specified in the Backup Options dialog box of the NetWorker User for SQL
Server GUI. The pool must be created with a corresponding label template before a
command that includes the -b option runs.
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-C Specifies compression of the backup data before the NetWorker client sends the
data to the NetWorker server.
-D <debug_level> Generates detailed logs that you can use to troubleshoot backup issues. The default
value is 0 (zero). If you want to enable debug logs, specify a level between 1 and 9.
-f aes Enables the NetWorker server to back up data using AES encryption.
-g group Specifies the savegroup. The NetWorker server and the savegrp command use
the group parameter to select the media pool.
-G Specifies a NO_LOG transaction log backup before backing up the database. This
command option is valid only for level full backups.
This option is deprecated in SQL Server 2008 or later.
-h Excludes databases from the backup. You can use this option to specify exact
<“db_name_with_optional_wildc database names or use wildcard characters.
ard”> Two wildcard characters are supported:
l Question mark (?): Matches any single character
l Asterisk (*): Matches zero to unlimited characters
When you use wildcards you must enclose the database name in square brackets,
for example, ["DB?"].
For example, consider the following scenarios:
l To exclude only DB_1 and DB_2 from the backup, type the following command:
nsrsqlsv -s bv-customer.belred.emc.com -h "DB_1" -h "DB_2"
MSSQL:
l To exclude all databases that are named with the format of DB_x, such as
DB_9 and DB_a, type the following command:
nsrsqlsv -s bv-customer.belred.emc.com -h ["DB_?"] MSSQL:
l To exclude all databases with names ending in DB, type the following
command:
nsrsqlsv -s bv-customer.belred.emc.com -h ["*DB"] MSSQL:
-H Specifies the NORECOVERY option when backing up transaction logs. This option
leaves the database in Restoring state.
-I text_file Specifies a text file that lists multiple SQL Server save sets. The -I option can also
be specified with the nsrsqlsv command for the Backup Command field in the
NetWorker Administration GUI.
-j database_name Performs a database consistency check (DBCC) before the backup is performed.
For example, -j testdb3,CopyOfDB010,test4 runs a consistency check for
databases testdb3, CopyOfDB010, and test4.
Note
When Perform DBCC consistency check is selected in the SSMS plugin, the
script generated contains -j ALL even when specific databases are selected.
This does not affect functionality.
-l backup_level Specifies the backup level. The following values are valid:
l Full
l Level 1
l txnlog
The "Combining data objects to create backup levels" section provides more
information about which backup levels are supported for various SQL Server
data objects.
The -l option is valid only for manual backups that are initiated from a
Windows command prompt on a client host. For scheduled backups, set the
backup level in the Set Level dialog box of the schedule resource in the
NetWorker Administration GUI. Do not use the -l option when you start a
backup in the NetWorker Administration GUI.
Sample outputs for each of the three different levels of backups follow:
l Full backup of the database to a specified NetWorker server:
nsrsqlsv -s server -c client -b poolname -l full
MSSQL:dbname
nsrsqlsv -s swraj -c SQL2012RC1Named -b Sub9VDI -l full
MSSQL:5
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At least one SQL Server data item (file, file group, or database) must be
specified, and the data items and list of data objects must follow all other
command options and parameters at the command prompt.
-N name Specifies the symbolic name of the save set. By default, the most common prefix of
the path arguments is used as the save set name.
-P password Specifies the SQL Server user password. When the -U user name command option
is specified, the password command option must also be provided, as follows:
nsrsqlsv -s NetWorker_server_name -U username -P password
MSSQL:
Use the SQL Server username and password to log in to SQL Server with SQL
server authentication.
-q Displays nsrsqlsv messages in quiet mode; only summary information and error
messages appear.
-s NetWorker_server_name Specifies the name of the NetWorker server that will be used for the backup
operation.
To use backup and recovery striping successfully, see the striping configuration
described in Striped Backup and Recovery.
Note
-U username Specifies the SQL Server username. When this command option is specified, the -P
password command option must also be provided, as follows:
nsrsqlsv -s NetWorker_server_name -U username-P password
MSSQL:
Use the SQL Server username and password to log in to SQL Server with SQL
server authentication.
-y retention_period Specifies the retention period of the backup. The value must be typed in time and
date formats accepted by the nsr_getdate program. The NetWorker Command
Reference Guide or the UNIX man pages provide more information about the
nsr_getdate program.
-Z Applies to the backup of up databases for a SQL Server 2005, and is usually used in
the online recovery scenario from the command prompt. The -Z option specifies
that the logs-only (transaction log) backup after recovery is not promoted to full
backup. Without the -Z option, the backup is promoted to full.
-z federated_backup_option Specifies federated backup options. Use the following values with the -z option:
l -z FEDERATED_SLAVE=true
This option denotes that the process is SQL Federated secondary process.
l -z FEDINDEX_NAME =SQL instance name under which the
backups are browsable
For example, MSSQL or MSSQL$InstanceName
l -z FEDCLIENT_NAME =Windows cluster client name
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or
or
[MSSQL:dbName.fgName MSSQL:dbName.fgName2
MSSQL:dbName2.fgName MSSQL:dbName2.fgName2 ...]
[MSSQL:dbName.fgName.filename MSSQL:dbName.fgName2.filename
MSSQL:dbName2.fgName.filename
MSSQL:dbName2.fgName2.filename ...]
Specifying MSSQL before each data object name is optional and does not affect the
expression or the resulting operation. However, when MSSQL is specified, it must be
followed by a colon (:).
For example, the following two commands are equivalent:
Note
Example 5 Using clustered instance SQL Server virtual server names with -A or -c
Instead of using clustered named instances in this syntax, use clustered instance SQL
Server virtual server names with -A or -c options, as shown in the following command:
where:
Create a client resource under the SQL Server virtual server DNS name.
For scheduled backups of a SQL Server virtual server client, you do not need to
specify the -A or -c option with the SQL Server virtual server name. The savegrp
process automatically specifies the virtual server name to the nsrsqlsv process by
using the -m option.
74 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
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l The double backslash (\\) character sequence replaces each literal backslash in
the SQL identifier.
SQL file group named MyFileGroup.2 for the SQL database MyDatabase\.COM.MyFileGroup\.2
named MyDatabase.COM MSSQL:MyDatabase\.COM.MyFileGroup\.2
MSSQL$MyInstance:MyDatabase\.COM.MyFileGroup
\.2
SQL file named MyFile.2, which is a member of the SQL file MyDatabase\.COM.MyFileGroup\.2.MyFile\.2
group named MyFileGroup.2 for the SQL database named MSSQL:MyDatabase\.COM.MyFileGroup\.2.MyFile\.
MyDatabase.COM 2
MSSQL$MyInstance:MyDatabase\\COM.MyFileGroup\
\2.MyFile\\2
The SQL file group named MyFileGroup\2 for the SQL MyDatabase\\COM.MyFileGroup\\2
database named MyDatabase\COM MyDatabase\.COM.MyFileGroup\.2
MSSQL$MyInstance:MyDatabase\\COM.MyFileGroup\
\2
The SQL file named MyFile\2, which is a member of the SQL MyDatabase\\COM.MyFileGroup\\2.MyFile\\2
file group named MyFileGroup\2 for the SQL database named MSSQL:MyDatabase\\COM.MyFileGroup\\2.MyFile\
MyDatabase\COM \2
MSSQL$MyInstance:MyDatabase\.COM.MyFileGroup
\.2.MyFile\\2
SQL file group named MyFileGroup:2 for the SQL database MyDatabase:COM.MyFileGroup:2
named MyDatabase:COM MSSQL:MyDatabase:COM.MyFileGroup:2
SQL file named MyFile:2, which is a member of the SQL file MyDatabase:COM.MyFileGroup:2.MyFile:2
group named MyFileGroup:2 for the SQL database named MSSQL:MyDatabase:COM.MyFileGroup:2.MyFile:2
MyDatabase:COM MSSQL$MyInstance:MyDatabase:COM.MyFileGroup:
2.MyFile:2
Table 23 Command syntax for names containing periods, back slashes, and colons
where:
l SQL_virtual_server_name is the virtual server name when the SQL Server is
configured to run in a WSFC cluster.
l NetWorker_server_name is the NetWorker server that is designated for the
backup.
l dbName is the name of the SQL Server database that is to be backed up.
Specifying -A SQL_virtual_server_name starts the following actions:
l Contacts the SQL virtual server.
l Creates save set entries under SQL_virtual_server_name in the NetWorker client
index.
Perform a full backup of an Always On Availability Group
nsrsqlsv.exe -s nwsrvr -m automation -a device interface="data domain"
-b Default "MSSQL$SQ12INST4#sql2012-aag3:"
where:
l nwsrvr is the NetWorker server
l automation is the Windows cluster name
76 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
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Performing manual backups from the NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI 77
Manual Backups
l Recovering
l Suspect
l Offline
l Not recovered
l Loading
l Pre-recovery
l Restoring
l Recovery pending
l Single user with active user connections
You must complete the required steps to perform a manual backup.
Procedure
1. From the Start menu, select Programs > NetWorker > NetWorker User for
SQL Server.
If multiple instances of SQL Server are active on the computer, the Select SQL
Instance dialog box appears.
2. Select the SQL Server instance for NMM backup, and then click OK.
The NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI connects to the selected SQL Server
instance and the main window appears.
3. To select a NetWorker server other than the server that was specified during
the NMM installation, from the toolbar, click Select NetWorker Server.
The Change Server dialog box appears.
4. Select a NetWorker server from the list, and then click OK.
5. To select the SQL Server data to back up, from the Operation menu, select
Backup.
The Backup window displays a hierarchical list of SQL Server data objects that
are available for backup. The NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI always
performs a full backup for the SQL Server data.
The following figure shows the Backup window with a hierarchical list of SQL
Server data objects.
Figure 16 The Backup window with a hierarchical list of SQL Server data objects
78 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
Manual Backups
6. In the left pane, expand an object. The descendants of the object are listed in
the right pane.
7. Mark one or more objects for backup. Some SQL Server data items are visible in
the Backup window, but they cannot be marked. If certain database options are
set, the SQL Server prohibits a file or file group backup. These unavailable
objects appear grayed out to distinguish them from objects that are available to
back up.
8. In the Backup Options dialog box, select the required attributes before starting
the backup.
The following figure shows the Backup Options dialog box.
Figure 17 The General tab in the Backup Options dialog box
The selected attributes are applied to each marked object for all backup
operations that are performed until the NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI is
closed. Selected pools, however, are stored in the registry and persist from one
session to another. If a field is not selected, the default option is used.
11. (Optional) To create a striped backup by using the SQL Striped feature, select
Create a striped backup . If you select this option, the Stripes box is enabled.
Performing manual backups from the NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI 79
Manual Backups
In the Stripes box, type or select the number of stripes to use during the
backup operation. The topic Striped Backup and Recovery provides more
information about striping.
NMM supports a maximum of 32 stripes. However, the number of stripes
cannot exceed the value set for NetWorker client parallelism.
Note
80 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
Manual Backups
number of IO buffers that can be used during a backup operation. The syntax is
as follows:
BUFFERCOUNT=number_of_IO_buffers
23. (Optional) In the Log Maintenance area, to truncate the transaction logs
before backup, select Truncate content before performing backup.
24. (Optional) To perform a checksum operation with the backup and save the
information to the backup media, select Perform checksum before writing to
media. Another checksum is performed before a restore to ensure that the
information matches the backup.
A checksum is detects a fragmented backup or restore state. NMM verifies the
checksum by calculating a local result and comparing it with the stored value. If
the values do not match, you can choose to continue the backup or restore
operation.
25. (Optional) Select Continue on checksum error if you want to continue with
back up and restore operations when errors are detected.
26. (Optional) Select Perform DBCC consistency checks.
If the database consistency check (DBCC) fails, the database backup is omitted
and the group backup status appears as failed. This feature ensures that all
backed up databases are suitable for recovery.
Performing manual backups from the NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI 81
Manual Backups
82 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
CHAPTER 5
Scheduled Backups
Scheduled Backups 83
Scheduled Backups
Prerequisites
Before you perform scheduled database backups with a SQL virtual server, you must
meet several prerequisites.
Ensure that the following prerequisites are met before you perform scheduled
backups:
l The NetWorker interface displays diagnostic attributes. In the Administration
window, click View > Diagnostic Mode.
l When backing up filestream data, in the SQL Server Configuration Manager, on
the Properties page of the SQL Server instance, select Allow Remote Clients
Access to Filestream Data. This action is a requirement for backups to be
successful. The SQL Server documentation provides details about the SQL Server
Configuration Manager.
Prerequisites for cluster environments
You must meet additional prerequisites for cluster environments:
l Create a NetWorker client that is configured for database backups for each SQL
virtual server that you want to protect.
l Configure the NetWorker client to either:
n Back up all databases with MSSQL:.
n Back up specific databases with MSSQL:User_Database.
Add more databases to an existing NetWorker client or create a new database
client when additional databases are added to an existing NetWorker client or a
new database client is created.
l Specify virtual servers by typing the following command at the command prompt:
–A SQL_virtual_server
Use the fully qualified domain name for the client configuration and the –A option
to specify the SQL virtual server, as in the following example:
84 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
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preferred node. The database administrator can set the backup priority for the AG or a
database in the AG and nominate a particular replica for the backup. This feature
improves backup performance.
Note
Copy-only backups of databases, files, or file groups are supported when they are
executed on secondary SQL Server replicas. These backups are considered full
backups.
Note
Due to SQL Server behavior, the following limitations apply to SQL Server data
backups in an AG:
l Backups of a secondary SQL Server replica in an AG cannot be promoted to
different backup levels.
l Differential backups are not supported on secondary SQL Server replicas.
SQL Server 2012 or later provides the following options that determine where backups
run for a specific AG replica:
l AUTOMATED_BACKUP_PREFERENCE—Specify any one of the following options:
n PRIMARY—Specifies that the backups will always occur on the primary replica.
This option is useful if you need backup features, such as creating differential
backups, that are not supported when backup operations run on a secondary
replica.
n SECONDARY_ONLY—Specifies that backups will never be performed on the
primary replica. If the primary replica is the only replica that is online, the
backup will not occur.
n SECONDARY (Prefer Secondary)—Specifies that backups will not occur on a
secondary replica except when the primary replica is the only replica that is
online. In that case, the backup does not occur on the primary replica. This is
the default option.
n NONE (Any replica)—Specifies that you prefer that backup jobs ignore the role
of the availability replicas when choosing the replica on which to perform
backups. Note backup jobs might evaluate other factors such as backup
priority of each availability replica in combination with its operational state and
connected state.
l BACKUP_PRIORITY =n—Specifies your priority for performing backups on this
replica relative to the other replicas in the same availability group. The value is an
integer in the range of 0 - 100. These values have the following meanings:
n 0 indicates that this availability replica will never be chosen for performing
backups.
This choice is useful for a remote availability replica for which you never want
backups to fail over.
n 1 indicates the lowest priority that an availability replica could be chosen for a
backup operation.
If BACKUP_PRIORITY = 1, the availability replica will be chosen only if no higher
priority availability replicas are available.
n 100 indicates the highest priority that an availability replica could be chosen for
a backup operation.
Follow the procedures provided in the article “Configure Backup on Availability
Replicas (SQL Server)” on the Microsoft MSDN website http://
Note
Federated backup operations fail if a replica has the Readable Secondary field set to
No. For backups to succeed, in the Availability Group Properties window, set the
Readable Secondary configuration option to either Yes or Read-intent only for each
of the primary and secondary replicas.
Note
A database that is in any of the following states causes a scheduled backup to fail
because the database is part of a previously configured backup:
l Standby
l Mirror copy
l Recovering
l Restoring
l Recovery Pending
l Suspect
l Offline
l Not recovered
l Loading
l Prerecovery
Definitive results about incompatible databases are available in the daemon.log file
on the NetWorker server and in the nsrsqlsv.log file on the client computer.
Examples of error messages listed in the daemon.log file after a backup failure:
l Database 'Acme' cannot be opened because it is offline.
l Processing Acme failed, the item will be skipped.
l Database 'Acme' is in warm-standby state (set by executing
RESTORE WITH STANDBY) and cannot be backed up until the
entire load sequence is completed.
l Processing Acme failed, the item will be skipped.
To exclude databases that are not in a state that can be backed up, perform either of
the following steps during client resource configuration:
l In the Client Backup Configuration wizard on the Specify the Backups Options
page, select Skip databases that are in an incompatible state.
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l In the NetWorker Administrator GUI, in the Client Properties dialog box, in the
Application Information field, type NSR_SKIP_NON_BACKUPABLE_STATE_DB=TRUE.
Tasks Considerations
Setting up backup levels The availability of a backup level depends on
the type of data that are selected for backup
and any SQL Server settings on those objects.
You can specify any of the following backup
levels:
l Full
l Logs-only
l Cumulative incremental
Configuring a client resource You can use either of the following methods
to configure the client resource:
l Client Backup Configuration wizard
l Client Properties dialog box
For SQL Server data objects for which logs only backup can be performed, ensure
that the SQL Server database options are correctly configured. The Microsoft SQL
Server documentation provides more information. Individual items are subject to
promotion.
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It is recommended that you use the Client Backup Configuration wizard to configure
client resources for cluster environments. The Client Backup Configuration wizard
simplifies configuring client resources for SQL Server 2012 or later scheduled backups
in a Windows cluster environment by creating dummy client resources for the
participating cluster nodes. To use the Client Backup Configuration wizard in a
federated environment, ensure that the active node of the Windows cluster contains a
SQL Server 2012 or later instance.
If you create the client resources manually using the Client Properties dialog box, you
must manually create dummy client resources for each participating node in the
cluster.
Note
Backup Configuration wizard. Click the question mark icon at the lower left of
each page of the Client Backup Configuration wizard for details about each field on
the page.
When you configure a client resource for a SQL Server cluster, remember the
following points:
l Do not use a short name alias for a virtual server node that is not registered on the
NetWorker server with a fully qualified domain client name.
l Select the SQL Server cluster instance or individual databases for backup. Do not
select databases from two instances for backup. Databases that are in offline,
restoring, or loading state are unavailable for selection.
Note
If you are using NetWorker server 8.2.3 or later and NMM 9.2:
l Configure a regular NetWorker backup group instead of configuring a data
protection policy. Do not enable the Snapshot option.
l For the Client Backup Configuration wizard to function correctly, ensure that JRE
8 is installed on the system where NMC is used. While the NMC for NetWorker
8.2.3 and later is compiled with JRE 7, the NMM 9.2 Java plugin for NMC is
compiled with JRE 8.
l The procedure to create a client resource is different between NetWorer server
8.2.3 and NetWorker server 9.2. Follow the procedure provided in the NetWorker
Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI User Guide version 8.2 SP1 when you are using
NetWorker server 8.2.3 or later.
Procedure
1. In the NetWorker Administration window, click the Protection tab.
2. In the expanded left pane, right-click Clients and select New Client Wizard.
The following figure shows the NetWorker Administration window menu option
to start the Client Configuration wizard.
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4. Click Next.
5. On the Specify Backup Configuration Type page, specify the following
information:
l In the Client Operating System field, the client operating system that is
used during the configuration setup is automatically displayed.
l In the NetWorker Version field, the NetWorker version that is used during
the configuration setup is automatically displayed.
l From the Available Application list, select SQL Server.
l Do not select Enable NetWorker Snapshot Management on the selected
application.
The following figure shows the Client Configuration wizard Specify Backup
Configuration Type page.
6. Click Next.
7. On the Select the NetWorker Client Properties page, specify the following
information:
l In the Priority field, select the priority level.
l In the Parallelism field, select the level of parallelism.
l In the Remote Access field, type the required attributes.
During the client resource configuration, you can control client recover
access with the attributes in the Remote Access field. The Remote Access
attribute displays a list of the users that can recover save sets for a client.
Depending on the level of security that the files require, add or remove user
names.
l In the Data Domain Interface field, select the device type from the list.
l In the Block Based Backup field, leave this option clear. This feature is not
supported for SQL Server VDI.
l The Client Direct field, selected by default, enables the client to bypass the
storage node and send backup data directly to the storage device.
Note
To use the default NetWorker Client settings, do not update the options that
are provided on the page.
8. Click Next.
9. On the Select the Backup Objects page, from the prepopulated list, select the
SQL Server instance at root level or individual databases for backup.
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Note
Do not select databases from two or separate instances for backup. Also,
databases that are in offline, restoring, or loading state are unavailable for
selection.
Note
Before performing this step, ensure that the User Account Control for Windows
Server 2008 R2 is disabled for administrators.Configuring user privileges to
perform NMM operations on page 44 provides details.
15. On the Client Configuration Summary page, check to ensure that the
configuration choices are correct. Click Back to make changes, or click Create
to configure the client resources.
The Check Results page appears.
16. On the Check Results page, review the messages to ensure that the client was
successfully created. You should see the following message:
Successfully added new client "client_name"
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Note
To make updates to an existing client resource, right-click the client resource and
select Client Backup Configuration > Modify Client Wizard.
Configuring a client resource manually with the Client Properties dialog box
You must complete the required steps to create a SQL VDI client resource. The
NetWorker Administration Guide and the NetWorker Module for Microsoft Administration
Guide provide details about data protection policy. Review the information in these
guides before manually creating the client resources.
When you create client resources manually for cluster configurations, ensure that a
client resource is created for Windows cluster name and that dummy client resources
are created for the other participating nodes in the cluster. If you do not create
dummy clients for each of the nodes in the cluster, the backup fails. Do not assign a
group for the dummy clients.
Note
If you are using NetWorker server 8.2.3 and later and NMM 9.2:
l Configure a regular NetWorker backup group instead of configuring a data
protection policy. Do not enable the Snapshot option.
l The procedure to create a client resource is different between NetWorer server
8.2.x and NetWorker server 9.2. Follow the procedure provided in the NetWorker
Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI User Guide version 8.2 SP1 when you are using
NetWorker server 8.2.x.
Click the question mark icon at the lower left of each page for details about each
field in the page.
Procedure
1. In the Administration window, click Protection.
2. In the expanded left pane, select Clients.
3. From the File menu, select New.
Note
When nodes within an availability group (AG) reside on SQL server instances
with different names, any instance name can be used. NMM will
automatically detect the AG that resides on the instance name.
MSSQL: Typing only MSSQL: yields a backup of all databases on the SQL Server host or SQL
default instance.
MSSQL$<SQL named instance>: Specifying the named instance with MSSQL: yields a backup of the specified SQL
named instance.
MSSQL$<SQL named Specifying the database name along with the named instance along with MSSQL: yields
instance>:dbName a backup of the database of the specified SQL named instance.
MSSQL:dbName1 [MSSQL:dbName2 Specifying the database names with MSSQL: yields a backup of the specified databases
MSSQL:dbName3 ...] from SQL default instance.
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n For SQL Server 2012 or later, type the remote username and password in
the Remote User and Password fields. To enable NMM to back up the
SQL Server virtual server or a mirrored server, type the username for a
Windows user account that has SQL Server administrator privileges.
n For other SQL Server versions, leave the fields empty.
l In the Backup command field, type the nsrsqlsv command and any
necessary command options.
Command options for nsrsqlsv on page 67 provides the supported backup
command options.
l For Application Information field, type the required values. The following
table describes the available application information variables.
NSR_SKIP_NON_BACKUPABLE_STATE_D l TRUE: Omits databases that are in not in a state to be backed up from the backup
B operation. The savegroup reports success for the SQL instance level backups.
l FALSE (Default): Includes databases that are in not in a state to be backed up from
the backup operation. The backup of these databases fail and the savegroup reports
failure of the SQL instance level backups.
8. On the Globals (2 of 2) tab, in the Remote Access field, type the user IDs or
hostnames of other clients.
This field grants copy restore type permissions, which enables the named hosts
to access the NetWorker server and receive directed recover data. If this field
is empty, only administrators and users who are logged in to the SQL Server
host have access.
For mirroring, this should be the same user account and password that you used
to set up the mirroring relationship. If multiple accounts have been set up, only
one must be specified. According to Microsoft SQL documentation, a domain
account must be used to set up the mirroring relationship.
9. Click OK.
10. Run the backup from the savegroup.
wash-2k.belred.emc.com
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9. On the Globals (2 of 2) tab, in the Remote Access field, add entries similar to
the following one to grant access to all physical nodes in the cluster.
RemoteUser@physicalnode_hostname
where:
l RemoteUser is the account under which the backup will run.
l physicalnode_hostname is the fully qualified domain name of the physical
node.
The Remote Access field enables the NMM server to access the cluster node
to authenticate the computer (on which the virtual server is running) as an
NMM client before any backup or restore operation begins. Follow this step for
each virtual server client resource in the cluster.
10. On the Apps & Modules tab, in the User Name and Password fields, add the
username and password, respectively, for a Windows user account that has
both SQL Server administrator privileges and Windows administrator privileges.
The User Name and Password fields enable NMM to back up the SQL Server
virtual server. Follow these steps for each virtual server Client resource in the
cluster.
11. Use NMC to start the backup group manually, or wait for the next scheduled
backup to occur.
NetWorker 8.2.x does not use data protection policies. If you are using NetWorker
server 8.2.3 or later and NMM 9.2, follow the steps provided in the NetWorker Module
for Microsoft for SQL VDI User Guide version 8.2 SP1 to configure a NetWorker Group.
Complete the following tasks to set data protection policies for scheduled backups:
l Create a protection policy
l Create a workflow
l Create an action
l Create a protection group
Creating a policy
Policies provide an organizational container for the workflows, actions, and groups
that support and define the backup, management, and system maintenance actions
that you want to perform.
Procedure
1. Open the NetWorker Administration GUI. From the Protection tab, right-click
Policies from the expanded left pane, and then click New.
The Create Policy window appears.
2. In the Name field, type a name for the policy.
The following figure shows the Create Policy window.
Figure 24 Create Policy window
3. Click OK.
Results
The policy is created and the NetWorker Administration GUI opens to the page for the
newly created policy.
After you finish
Add workflows, actions, and protection groups to the policy.
Creating a workflow
Workflows define the start time for a series of actions, the frequency in which the
actions run, the order of actions in a sequence, and the protection group to which the
workflow applies.
Before you begin
Create a policy.
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Procedure
1. Open the NetWorker Administration GUI.
2. From the Protection tab, click the policy that you must create a workflow for.
The Policy page opens.
3. Click Create a new Workflow.
The New Workflow window opens.
The following figure shows the New Workflow window.
Figure 25 Creating a workflow for the policy
4. In the Name field, type a name for the workflow and either specify the
workflow settings or accept the default settings.
5. Click OK.
Results
The workflow is created and the NetWorker Administration GUI opens to the page for
the newly created workflow.
Note
14. Review the messages on the Action Wizard Results page and ensure that the
action was successfully created.
15. Click Finish to exit the wizard.
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Results
The action is created within the specified workflow and is displayed in the NetWorker
Administration GUI, on the Workflow page.
7. Click OK.
Results
The group is created and appears in the Group tab of the policy in the NetWorker
Administration GUI.
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106 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
CHAPTER 6
Data Recovery
l Overview.......................................................................................................... 108
l Prerequisites.................................................................................................... 108
l Performing a recovery from the NMM SSMS plugin GUI..................................109
l Performing a recovery from the command prompt............................................116
l Performing a recovery from the NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI.............. 131
Overview
You can recover SQL Server data through one of the following tools:
l NMM SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) plugin
l The nsrsqlrc recovery command
l NetWorker User for SQL Server
Note
Prerequisites
Review the prerequisites in this section before performing a recovery.
l Ensure that the user that is performing the recovery is assigned the required
privileges, as defined in the section Configuring user privileges to perform NMM
operations on page 44.
l Read the SQL Server product documentation to understand the limitations that
are associated with recovery types on the various SQL Server versions.
l Ensure that the NetWorker server software is running on the host and the
NetWorker Remote Exec Service is started on the SQL Server host.
l Ensure that no applications or services are waiting for or trying to log in to the
SQL instance because restoring the SQL master database requires a restart of the
SQL instance in single user mode followed by logging in to that instance. Single
user mode allows only one administrator to log in.
l Wait for any database backups to finish. SQL Server will not restore a database
while another database backup is in progress.
l Wait for any SQL Server startups to finish before starting a restore operation.
l Review the ERRORLOG file to determine if a database is being recovered, or search
the ERRORLOG file for the Recovery complete string.
If the nsrsqlrc program starts while the SQL Server is recovering databases, the
following error message appears:
Could not find database ID. Database may not be activated
yet or may be in transition.
l Ensure that all database users are logged off the database. A restore fails if other
users try to use the database during the restore operation.
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Note
For the supported SQL Server versions, if the primary file group is not under
restore, the online (piecemeal) restore functionality allows users to access a
database while a backup or restore operation is in progress.
l Ensure that the SQL Server filestream feature is enabled on the recovery instance
when you are recovering filestream data of SQL Server 2008 or later.
l Ensure that the primary file group is part of each piecemeal restore.
SQL Server Enterprise Edition databases consisting of multiple file groups that can
be restored in stages with piecemeal restore. The database remains offline during
the restore process. Piecemeal restore is a multistage process that restores a
database to itself or to another location. The initial stage must include the primary
file group and optionally other file groups. After the primary file group is restored,
you can bring the database online and continue restoring the remaining file groups
in subsequent stages.
Loading icons appear while the information from the last recovery is being
loaded. While loading, you can specify other recovery settings. Once the
information is loaded, NMM populates all of the fields under Sources. To clear
the saved settings, click the Clear Cache button.
3. Under Sources, make the following selections:
a. From the NetWorker Server list, select the server that contains the backup.
Click Update to update the list of available NetWorker servers.
The SQL Server Instance list is refreshed after you select the NetWorker
server.
b. From the SQL Server Host list, select the client that contains the backup.
c. From theSQL Server Instance list, select the server instance that contains
the backup.
Available backups are populated in the database list.
d. From the database list, select one or more databases for recovery.
4. Under Destination, choose the location where the backup is restored to:
l To perform a recovery directly to the database, select Restore to SQL
Server, and then specify the destination:
a. From the Instance list, select the SQL Server instance.
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Note
b. From the Database list, select the database where the backup will be
recovered to.
l To perform a flat-file recovery, select Restore backups as files, and then in
the Folder field, specify the destination for the files.
5. Under Restore, perform the following steps:
a. Specify the browse time through one of the following methods:
l From the Browse time list, select a time.
l Click Show versions, and then select a time.
The table is populated with the save sets in the SQL database instance that
are available for recovery. The number of available backup versions appears
in the bottom bar.
b. From the table, select the save set that you must recover.
6. To specify optional file settings, under Select a page, click Files/Filegroups.
The Files/Filegroups page appears.
The following figure shows the NetWorker window open to the Database
Restore tab, on the Files/Filegroups page.
7. (Optional) To filter the list of available database files by file group, under
Filegroup options, select a file group from the Select Filegroup to restore list.
To list all available files, select All files from the list.
8. (Optional) To recover files to a different location, select a relocation option:
l To relocate all datafiles to one folder and the log file to another folder, select
Relocate all files to folder.
Click the buttons on the right of Data file folder and Log file folder to
specify the destination paths of the datafiles and the log file respectively.
l To relocate individual file paths, select Relocate specific files to folder.
a. In the Source folder field, type the location path for the datafiles.
b. In the Destination folder field, type the destination path. The files are
recovered to this location.
c. Click Update.
Repeat these steps to relocate multiple file paths during a recovery.
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10. (Optional) Under Restore Options, select the following options as required:
l To instruct the SQL Server to create the specified database and its related
files, even if another database exists with the same name, select Overwrite
the existing database.
If another database exists with the same name, that database is deleted.
l To specify a recovery state, in the Recovery state field, select one of the
following options:
n To instruct the SQL Server to leave the database in operational state
after the restore, select Normal mode.
Normal is the default mode.
n To activate the SQL Server NORECOVERY database restore option for
the last stage restored, select No Recovery mode.
This mode places the database in a state that cannot be loaded after the
restore. However, the database can still process additional transaction
log restore operations.
n To enable the standby undo file feature for SQL Server to use when
rolling back the transaction, select Standby mode.
l If the recovery is in standby mode, from the Standby File field, browse and
select an undo file.
l To select the level of information recorded in the logs that you can use for
troubleshooting recovery issues, select Select a debug level, and then
select the troubleshooting level. Levels range 0-9, with 0 representing no
information and 1 representing the least amount of information.
l To specify a timeframe for flat-file recovery, select Specify a start time for
restore, and then select a date and time.
The date and time that is selected in this field is the start time for the
restore period, and the end time is the time selected on the General page,
from the Browse time list.
l To provide an alternate pass phrase, select Specify alternate decryption
pass phrase.
If the NMC pass phrase is unavailable, then the alternate pass phrase is
used.
l To specify advanced recovery options, in the Advanced options field, select
or type advanced recovery options. Separate multiple entries with a comma,
for example:
BUFFERCOUNT=2, KEEP_CDC, KEEP_REPLICATION
The following table outlines the advanced recovery options that NMM
supports:
KEEP_REPLICATION This option preserves the replication when recovering a published database. This
option is required if a database was replicated when the backup was created.
l To verify that the backup is complete and readable, select Verify only.
l To specify the clone pool where the save set is restored, select Select a
restore pool, and then type the name of the restore pool in the field.
l To change the number of entries that are retrieved from the server, in the
Number of entries to retrieve field, select a number.
The value that is specified in this field is the page size for number of backup
versions that are listed for recovery in the Restore table in the General view.
This value also determines the number of entries that are retrieved when
querying backup versions from the server.
The smaller the number that is specified, the faster the backup versions list
is available. The minimum value is 1, the default value is 50, and the
maximum value is 10000.
11. (Optional) Under Tail-log backup, select the following options as required:
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Note
NMM does not support tail-log backups when multiple databases are being
restored.
l To specify a log file pool, select Select the log file pool, and then select the
log file pool from the list of available pools.
Note
If you do not have the instant file initialization feature enabled, the following warning
message will appear in the output:
Instant file initialization is not enabled, please enable this feture for
improved restore performance.
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l Ensure that you use correct spacing. Depending on the command option, the
space separator between an option and its corresponding argument can be
optional, required, or not allowed.
For example, both of the following expressions are valid:
-l backup_level
-lbackup_level
The following expression is invalid because a space is not allowed between the +
argument and log_mark_name:
-M + log_mark_name
l Ensure that you use brackets ([ ]) to denote the optional portions of a command.
When starting an actual backup or recovery operation, do not include brackets.
l Ensure that data items follow all other command options and parameters at the
command prompt.
l If you do not have the instant file initialization feature enabled, the following
warning message will appear in the output:
Please ensure that instant file initialization is enabled on
the destination SQL Server instance for improved restore
performance.
However, the restore operation will continue. See Microsoft documentation for
details on enabling the database instant file initialization feature on the SQL
Server.
nsrsqlrc [-fjqVku]
[-$ instance_name]
[-a "option_key=value"]
[-A virtual_server_name]
[-b pool_name]
[-c client_name]
[-C file=path,file2=path2,...]
[-d MSSQL:destination_dbName]
[-e pass_phrase]
[-f]
[-H "'source_path';'destination_path'"]
[-j]
[-k]
[-M [+|-]log_mark_name]
[-O "Option1, Option2, Option3"]
[-P password]
[-q]
[-R fgName1,fgName2,...]
[-s NetWorker_server_name]
[-S normal|standby:undo_file|norecover]
[-t date]
[-u]
[-U username]
[-V MSSQL:dbName]
[-z]
[MSSQL: dbname dbname.fgName dbName.fgName.filename ...]
The following example copies the Sales database from the SQL Server
prod-sql, instance Venus, to the SQL Server test-sql, instance Mars:
nsrsqlrc -s nw_server.company.com
-c prod-sql. company.com
-d MSSQL$MARS:
-$ MSSQL$VENUS:
"MSSQL$VENUS:Sales"
-a "RESTORE_TO_SOURCE_PATH=TRUE" Ensures that the backup is restored to the original path by default
during a redirected restore operation. The -a
"RESTORE_TO_SOURCE_PATH=TRUE" option is overridden if the -C
or -H relocation options are used.
-a "FLAT_FILE_RECOVERY=TRUE" Performs flat-file recovery, which recovers the backup as files instead
of restoring directly to the databases.
-a Specifies the directory where the recovery files are saved for flat-file
"FLAT_FILE_RECOVERY_DIR=<destination_d recovery.
irectory>"
-a "RESTORE_START_TIME=start_date" -t Specifies a time range for flat-file recovery. Applicable backups within
"end_date" the time range are recovered. If the RESTORE_START_TIME variable is
not defined when other flat-file recovery options are defined, required
backups from the last level full backup until the -t time are recovered.
If the last backup within the time range is a level differential backup,
then all incremental backups in the time range are not recovered. In
this scenario, only full and differential backups are recovered to file.
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Note
-A virtual_server_name Specifies the virtual server name when the SQL Server is configured to
run as a clustered service in an MSCS cluster.
-b pool_name Specifies the clone pool where the save set is restored from.
-c client_name Specifies the NetWorker client name from which the SQL Server data
is to be recovered.
-C file=path,file2=path2,... Copies the database that is being restored to either the same SQL
Server or a different SQL Server. This option can be used for normal,
copy, and partial restores. Use the relocation list to specify new
locations for recovered database files. The relocation list is composed
of pairs of logical database file names and fully qualified domain
database file name relocation paths. Specify the relocation list only
when you restore a database. Each file name and relocation path is
joined by the equal sign (=), and pairs are delimited in the list by
commas.
["][’] file[’]=[’]path[’],[’]
file2[’]=[’]path2[’],...["]
For example, to copy the Project database from a client host that is
named ClientHost1 to a different location on ClientHost1, specify the
relocation list for the database files, but do not include the client
hostname command option:
nsrsqlrc -s NetWorker_server_name
-d MSSQL:CopyOfProject
-C "'Project_Data'='C:\Relocation\Path
\Project_Data.mdF',
'Project_Data2'='C:\Relocation\Path
\Project_Data2.ndF',...,
'Project_Log'='C:\Relocation\Path\Project_Log.ldF
MSSQL:Project'"
The relocation list must be enclosed by double quotation marks to allow
for spaces in the relocation elements and path names. A logical file
name or relocation path must be enclosed by single quotation marks to
also allow for spaces. If a file name or path contains a single quotation
mark, precede the single quote with another single quotation mark to
prevent the NMM from parsing the single quotation mark as a
delimiter, for example:
nsrsqlrc -s NetWorker_server_name
-d MSSQL:CopyOfProject
-C File’=C:\Relocate Dir\Path\,
=’C:\Relocate Dir\Path\’,...,
-d MSSQL:destination_dbname Performs a copy operation. The copy operation recovers SQL Server
MSSQL:source_dbname data from a client host to another database name on the same client
host. The syntax is:
MSSQL:destination_dbname MSSQL:source_dbname
where:
When -C, -M, -R, or -d are used, the list of data items can include
only one database. The list of data items must follow all other
command options and parameters at the command prompt.
-e pass_phrase Enables the use of an alternate pass phrase with AES encryption when
recovering data.
-H "'source_path';'destination_path'" Relocates file paths and all files contained in a path to a different
location during a restore operation. The syntax for using this option is:
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To relocate individual files, see the table entry for the -C option. You
cannot use the -C option with -H.
-M [+|-]log_mark_name Performs a SQL Server data recovery of the named transaction that is
specified in log_mark_name (for SQL Server 2005 only).
The way the mark name is prefixed determines how the data is
recovered:
l When the mark name is prefixed with a plus sign (+), the data is
recovered to and includes the named transaction.
l When the mark name is prefixed with a minus sign (-), the data is
recovered up to the named transaction.
The log_mark_name should immediately follow the plus (+) or minus
(-) symbol. The use of a space separator is not allowed. The default is
the plus sign.
For example, to recover the SQL data and include the named
transaction transaction_mark, type the following command:
nsrsqlrc -sNetWorker_server_name -M
+transaction_mark MSSQL:dbName
nsrsqlrc -s NetWorker_server_name -M -
transaction_mark MSSQL:dbName
Specify only one SQL Server database, followed by all the other
command options and parameters at the command prompt.
-O "Option1, Option2, Option3" This option specifies advanced recovery options. The syntax is as
follows:
-O "Option1, Option2, Option3"
You can specify the following advanced recovery options:
l BUFFERCOUNT=number_of_IO_buffers
This option specifies the total number of IO buffers that can be
used during a recovery operation.
l KEEP_CDC
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-P password Specifies the SQL Server user password. When the -U username
command option is specified, the password command option must also
be provided, as follows:
Use the SQL Server username and password to log in to the SQL
Server with SQL server authentication.
where:
-R ""
l Project is the name of the SQL database to restore.
l PartOfProject is the name of the SQL database to which the
source database is to be recovered.
When -C, -M, -R, or -d are used, the list of data objects can include
only one database. The list of data objects must follow all other
command options and parameters at the command prompt.
-s NetWorker_server_name Specifies the NetWorker server to use for the recovery operation.
-S normal | standby:undo_file | Performs the recovery operation according to the specified database
norecover restore mode of normal, standby, or no recovery. The syntax is:
nsrsqlrc -s NetWorker_server_name -
ddestination_dbName -S
where:
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nsrsqlrc -s NetWorker_server_name
-S"standby:C:\temp\undo filename"
-d MSSQL:NewProjectName MSSQL:Project
-t "MM/DD/YY HH:MM:SS" Recovers the SQL Server data on a specified date. If the date of a
backup version is before or is equivalent to the specified date, the
backup version is recovered. Follow the nsr_getdate command
syntax guidelines when you format the date. See the NetWorker
Command Reference Guide for details on the nsr_getdate command
syntax.
-U username Specifies the SQL Server username. When the username command
option is specified, the -P password command option must also be
provided, for example:
Use the SQL Server username and password to log in to SQL Server
with SQL server authentication.
-V MSSQL:dbName Verifies the SQL Server database that is selected for the recovery. The
-V command option verifies only that the selected database backup is
suitable for restoring, the backup is not recovered. The syntax is:
This command recovers the entire recovery chain, from the first full
backup to the last logs-only backup.
The -z option disables building the recovery plan and recovers only the
specified backup. This command is required for all except the first (full)
recovery command.
Use the –S norecover option with the -z option to prepare the
database for more restores. This command is required for all except the
last recovery command. The final command recovers the last logs-only
backup and brings the database online.
Note
The database is not available for general use until after the final
recovery completes. Any missing, incorrect, or out-of-order save times
result in SQL Server reporting errors.
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or
or
[MSSQL:dbName.fgName MSSQL:dbName.fgName2
MSSQL:dbName2.fgName MSSQL:dbName2.fgName2 ...]
[MSSQL:dbName.fgName.filename MSSQL:dbName.fgName2.filename
MSSQL:dbName2.fgName.filename
MSSQL:dbName2.fgName2.filename ...]
Specifying MSSQL before each data object name is optional and does not affect the
expression or the resulting operation. However, when MSSQL is specified, it must be
followed by a colon (:).
For example, the following two commands are equivalent:
Backup and recovery command syntax for SQL Server data 127
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Note
Example 8 Using clustered instance SQL Server virtual server names with -A or -c
Instead of using clustered named instances in this syntax, use clustered instance SQL
Server virtual server names with -A or -c options, as shown in the following command:
where:
Create a client resource under the SQL Server virtual server DNS name.
For scheduled backups of a SQL Server virtual server client, you do not need to
specify the -A or -c option with the SQL Server virtual server name. The savegrp
process automatically specifies the virtual server name to the nsrsqlsv process by
using the -m option.
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By typing a backslash before the period or backslash, the nsrsqlsv and nsrsqlrc
commands interpret the period or backslash as a literal character.
The tables in this section list the syntax for file names, file groups, and databases
containing a period, backslash, colon, or any combination of the three.
The following notes apply to the information in the tables:
l The syntax that is shown in the right column applies to both the nsrsqlsv and
nsrsqlrc commands.
l The notation MSSQL: is optional only for the nsrsqlsv command.
l A single period (.) continues to delimit SQL identifiers.
l The syntax also applies to named instances.
l The backslash period (\.) character sequence replaces each literal period in the
SQL identifier.
l The double backslash (\\) character sequence replaces each literal backslash in
the SQL identifier.
SQL file group named MyFileGroup.2 for the SQL database MyDatabase\.COM.MyFileGroup\.2
named MyDatabase.COM MSSQL:MyDatabase\.COM.MyFileGroup\.2
MSSQL$MyInstance:MyDatabase\.COM.MyFileGroup
\.2
SQL file named MyFile.2, which is a member of the SQL file MyDatabase\.COM.MyFileGroup\.2.MyFile\.2
group named MyFileGroup.2 for the SQL database named MSSQL:MyDatabase\.COM.MyFileGroup\.2.MyFile\.
MyDatabase.COM 2
MSSQL$MyInstance:MyDatabase\\COM.MyFileGroup\
\2.MyFile\\2
The SQL file group named MyFileGroup\2 for the SQL MyDatabase\\COM.MyFileGroup\\2
database named MyDatabase\COM MyDatabase\.COM.MyFileGroup\.2
MSSQL$MyInstance:MyDatabase\\COM.MyFileGroup\
\2
The SQL file named MyFile\2, which is a member of the SQL MyDatabase\\COM.MyFileGroup\\2.MyFile\\2
file group named MyFileGroup\2 for the SQL database named MSSQL:MyDatabase\\COM.MyFileGroup\\2.MyFile\
MyDatabase\COM \2
MSSQL$MyInstance:MyDatabase\.COM.MyFileGroup
\.2.MyFile\\2
Backup and recovery command syntax for SQL Server data 129
Data Recovery
SQL file group named MyFileGroup:2 for the SQL database MyDatabase:COM.MyFileGroup:2
named MyDatabase:COM MSSQL:MyDatabase:COM.MyFileGroup:2
MSSQL$MyInstance:MyDatabase:COM.MyFileGroup:2
SQL file named MyFile:2, which is a member of the SQL file MyDatabase:COM.MyFileGroup:2.MyFile:2
group named MyFileGroup:2 for the SQL database named MSSQL:MyDatabase:COM.MyFileGroup:2.MyFile:2
MyDatabase:COM MSSQL$MyInstance:MyDatabase:COM.MyFileGroup:
2.MyFile:2
Table 34 Command syntax for names containing periods, back slashes, and colons
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Note
The AcmeOnline database name and file locations are different from AcmeBank.
Performing a recovery from the NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI 131
Data Recovery
n When you restore from a media failure where one or more database files were
lost.
Specifying the browse time through the NetWorker User for SQL Server Restore window
In the NetWorker User for SQL Server Restore window, you can browse the online
index and mark a database backup version that you want to restore.
The browse time controls which backup data is viewable in the Restore window. You
can modify the browse time to display backup versions for a different restore time by
selecting Change Browse Time from the View menu. However, the browse time
cannot change to a point:
l Earlier than the first backup.
l Later than the most recent backup.
An invalid time entry results in an error message.
Procedure
1. From the View menu, select Change Browse Time.
The Change Browse Time dialog box appears, as shown in the following figure.
Figure 35 Change Browse Time dialog box
2. In the Change Browse Time dialog box, by default, the Specify a browse time,
or end time, is set to the current time and the start time is set to 14 days prior.
Select this field to enable the Browse Time button.
3. To change the end time of the backups that are listed for browsing, click
Browse Time.
The Specify Browse Time dialog box appears, as shown in the following figure.
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4. Select a date and time from the Date and Time lists.
5. Click OK.
The dialog box closes and the Specify a browse time field in the Change
Browse Time dialog box appears with the new date and time. The backup
version list is also updated. The start time is set to 14 days before the browse
time that you select.
6. By default, the Select a backup version to change browse time field marks
the current browse time in the backup version list. Select this field to enable the
backup version list and Mark button. The backup version list displays the known
backup version times, which correspond to save times of the root browse
directory. The root browse directory is created whenever a SQL Server backup
is performed.
7. To select a new browse time, do one of the following:
l Double-click a backup time in the list, and then click OK.
l Select a backup time in the list, click Mark, and then click OK.
The Specify a Browse Time field is updated to reflect the new setting.
When you change the browse time, previous selections in the Restore
window are discarded. All file, file group, or database property settings are
lost.
Note
While you set up a recovery in the NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI, you can
restrict the number of backups that are displayed on the Change Browse Time page,
Database Properties page, and the Filegroup Properties page. If you apply this
restriction, the selected browsing list loads faster.
Procedure
1. Open the NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI.
If multiple SQL Server instances are active on the computer, the Select SQL
Instance dialog box opens before the main window.
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4. Select Backup the active portion of the transaction log before restoring the
database.
This option is selected by default for a Normal restore, and NMM tries the
transaction log backup by using the NO_TRUNCATE and NORECOVERY SQL
keywords. The recovery operation continues regardless of whether the
transaction log backup succeeds or fails.
There is no log backup in Simple mode. If the option to back up the log is
selected, a full backup of the log is performed on the database that is to be
recovered.
The most common reason for recovering databases is to restore from operator
errors, which are recorded in the transaction log. If you recover the database
without applying the transaction log, you lose the information since the last
backup. If you apply the entire transaction log you recorrupt the database.
Point-in-time recovery data can be recovered to the time of the error minus
approximately 1 second, assuming that the database is functional enough to
complete the final transaction log backup. If Specify a Restore Time on the
Restore Time tab is selected, the backup continues, but the latest transactions
that are captured in the active transaction log backup are not restored.
5. In the Perform the restore using this recovery mode area, select one of the
following for recovery:
l Normal mode—Instruct the SQL Server to leave the database in operational
state after the restore. This is the default mode.
l No Recovery mode—Activates the SQL Server NORECOVERY database
restore option for the last stage restored. This mode places the database in
a state that cannot be loaded after the restore. However, the database can
still process additional transaction log restore operations.
b. In the File Location text box, type a path or browse the file system tree
and highlight a file.
c. In the File Name text box, type a file name or browse the file system tree
and highlight an existing file.
d. Click OK.
6. (Optional) In the Properties dialog box, select Perform checksum before
reading from media option to perform a checksum operation before a restore
to ensure that it matches the backup.
NMM verifies the checksum by calculating a local result and comparing it with
the stored value. If the values do not match, you can choose to continue the
restore operation by selecting Continue on checksum error.
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8. (Optional) Select Overwrite the existing database . The SQL Server creates
the specified database and its related files, even if another database with the
same name exists. In such a case, the existing database is deleted.
The Overwrite the existing database operation includes the WITH REPLACE
SQL keyword in the restore sequence, which restores files over existing files of
the same name and location.
9. (Optional) If you are performing a normal, copy, or verify restore operation, the
Mark the filegroups to restore area displays the file groups of the selected
database. These file groups cannot be changed. If you are performing any other
type of restore operation, select the file groups and files that you want to
restore.
The selected set of file groups is copied to the Modify the destination for the
files in list, which displays the options for restoring the database files. You can
filter the files that are visible in the list. The following table describes the
options in the Mark the filegroups to restore list:
TheModify the destination for the files in table displays the SQL Server files,
which are associated with the database that is to be restored, with their
locations. When you perform a normal restore, this table displays the current
name and destination based on the SQL Server physical file name and logical
location for the restored file. Filestream data is displayed as a folder with no
subordinate objects.
Views Description
All files All the files for the database, including transaction log files
Drive letter All files that are on a particular drive at the time the backup
occurred, even if those files have since been relocated to a
different drive
10. (Optional) To modify the destination, perform one of the following actions:
l Double-click a file in the Modify the destination for the files in table to
display the Specify the file destination dialog box.
l Click a file in the list, and then click Destination.
The Specify the File Destination dialog box appears, as shown in the
following figure.
Figure 41 Specify the File Destination dialog box
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11. (Optional) To change the destination location, in the Destination location field,
type a path name or browse the file system tree and highlight a directory or file.
The Destination location field displays the file system location for the restored
file. When multiple files are selected, the default SQL data path is opened, but it
is not selected. Type a pathname, or browse the file system tree and highlight a
directory or file to change the location.
12. (Optional) In the Destination file name field, to change the file name, type a
new name or browse the file system tree and highlight a file.
The Destination file name field displays the name of the file that is selected in
the File and Destination table. When multiple files are selected, the field is
empty
13. To return to the Files tab, click OK.
14. Click the Restore Time tab.
The following window shows the Properties dialog box open to the Restore
Time tab.
Figure 42 Properties dialog box—Restore Time tab
The Restore Time tab enables you to select a backup version and modify the
restore date and time. The default selection for the restore is listed in the
Backup versions table. When a point-in-time restore is performed, the restore
procedure reinstates only transactions from the backup version that occurred
before the specified restore date and time.
You can change the backup version or transaction time. The point-in-time for a
restore can be changed only for logs-only backups. Unless the last backup time
is specifically selected by the user, the active log backup option is set by
default.
17. To perform the restore, select By using a named log mark. This field is enabled
only when log marks exist for the selected database backup.
When you select By using a named log mark, Restore to the End of the Log
Mark and Restore to the Beginning of the Log Mark are enabled.
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Table 36 Fields on the General tab of the Restore Options dialog box
Detect available tape sessions prior to The support for this field is deprecated and this field will be removed from NMM in
restoring a striped backup future releases. In NMM 9.1 and later, this field should always be selected if any backups
are being restored from tape type devices. Selecting this field does not affect the
performance of restore operations from disk type devices.
Select a debug level Selecting a troubleshooting level issues the command line –D n option, where n is an
integer value between 1 and 9. When the troubleshooting level is selected, the
troubleshooting information appears in the Backup or Restore status window, and
also in the log files. This information can be useful in diagnosing problems.
If you specify troubleshooting level logging, watch the size of the NMM log files. The
files are at:
installpath\nsr\applogs
Disable log mark display Select this option to disable the potentially time-consuming retrieval of log mark
information. This option can be selected when log marks will not be used for most
restore operations, particularly if the client file index is large. This setting persists across
multiple invocations of the user interface. When log mark display is disabled, the log
mark in the backup will not be displayed in the Restore Time tab.
When this option is selected, the log mark information is not displayed in the Restore
Time tab of the Restore Properties dialog box. When it is not selected, the
information is displayed.
Transaction log backup before restore Select this option to perform a transaction log backup before the restore operation
starts. With supported SQL Servers, transaction log backups are required before
restoring databases. Transaction log backups ensure that the database can be restored
to the most recent point-in-time possible. This option is selected by default.
When the Transaction log backup before restore option is not selected, the Back
Up the Active Portion of the Transaction Log Before Restoring the
Database option (selected by default) is enabled in the Properties dialog box.
You can choose not to back up the transaction log by selecting No for Restore with
overwrite in the precautionary message box. This option replaces the existing
database by using the T-SQL command with the WITHREPLACE flag. Selecting No for
Restore with overwrite improves performance in cases where the database is too
damaged to perform the transaction log backup or it is known that the transaction log is
not of interest.
Alternate decryption pass phrase Select this option to specify a pass phrase for AES encryption other than the default or
current phrase used by the NetWorker server. If data was backed up using AES
encryption and an alternate pass phrase, (and the original pass phrase is no longer
current), that phrase must be specified to decrypt data during the restore. If multiple
pass phrases are required, they must be specified at the command line. The NetWorker
Administration Guide provides complete information about AES encryption, and setting
the pass phrase.
Table 36 Fields on the General tab of the Restore Options dialog box (continued)
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l A backup exists.
l A named instance directory in the index.
This dialog box enables you to select the source from default and named
instances.
5. Select either the SQL Server default instance or an SQL Server named
instance, and then click Continue. After choosing a SQL instance, all database
backups are listed.
A CopyOf prefix is added in front of the database (and database file) names only
if a database by the same name exists on the target system. This is not the case
for copy restore between systems or between instances of SQL Server (or if
the original database has been removed). In these cases, the default database
and file names are the same as the original names.
If backups for the SQL default or other named instance were not performed, or
the backups are no longer available, an error message appears.
The following figure shows an example of the error message that appears.
Figure 44 NetWorker User for SQL Server dialog box
Note
For copy restore, specify the restore properties before starting the restore.
Otherwise, the restore fails to start.
When you restore a copy of a database, you can overwrite an existing database
or create one:
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are not propagated to the database file names. Make these changes
manually.
10. In the Properties dialog box, click the Restore Time tab.
11. After configuring the properties, click OK.
These settings are maintained until the restore operation starts.
12. In the toolbar of the Restore dialog box, click the play button to start the
restore.
After you finish
On the Restore Status page, monitor the status of the restore operation.
2. In the left pane, select the items that you want to restore.
If the copy restore type is selected, only one database object can be marked.
Files and file groups of the selected database are not visible in the browse
window, and require a database backup. The files and file groups are available in
the Properties dialog box.
3. After the restore is set up, start the operation. Starting the recovery on page
159 provides more information.
2. In the left pane, select one or more databases from the list.
3. (Optional) To specify additional options in the Restore Options dialog box,
right-click the parent server.
4. Click OK.
5. In the toolbar of the Restore dialog box, click the play button to start the
restore operation.
You can monitor the status of the restore in the Restore Status window.
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6. On the General tab, select a name from the Name for restored database field,
and then select Overwrite the existing database.
Piecemeal restore operations overwrite a database when they restore to the
same location.
7. In the Properties dialog box, click the Restore Time tab.
8. When you are finished configuring properties, click OK.
For piecemeal restore, if you redisplay the Properties dialog box before starting
the restore operation, the following settings in the Properties dialog box are
reset:
9. To start the restore operation, in the toolbar of the Restore dialog box, click
the play button.
Results
Piecemeal restore is iterative. You can continue to restore additional file groups in
subsequent operations. Previously restored file groups are not available for selection
unless you specify New Piecemeal.
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Note
If you select the copy restore type, you must specify the restore properties before
starting the restore. Otherwise, the restore fails to start.
4. On the General tab, indicate whether to back up the active portion of the
transaction.
When Backup the active portion of the transaction log before restoring the
database is selected, the transaction log backup starts with the NORECOVERY
keyword. The restore operation continues regardless of whether the transaction
log backup succeeds or fails.
Specify a point-in-time restore within the transaction log backup. This option
applies to all SQL Server restores and addresses database failure if one occurs
after the last scheduled logs-only backup.
By backing up the active portion of the log before the restore, you can specify a
restore for time of failure.
5. To specify a point-in-time restore, select the Restore Time tab, and make
entries as appropriate.
Point-in-time restore can use a full, logs only, or cumulative incremental
backup, if the selected backup is a logs backup and/or the latest backup.
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Note
These file and file group restore properties are not available for copy restore type
operation.
You must complete the required steps to view the restore properties for a file or file
group.
Procedure
1. From either pane of the Restore window, select a file or file group, and then
right-click.
2. From the list, select Properties.
The Properties dialog box appears. Properties differ depending on the version
of SQL Server.
The following figure shows the Properties dialog box.
Figure 52 Properties dialog box
3. Select Backup the active portion of the transaction log file to back up the
active portion of the transaction log before the restore operation is performed.
The log is applied to the file group or file to ensure it is consistent with the rest
of the database. The SQL Server requires the transaction log when it restores
damaged or lost datafiles. The NetWorker User for SQL Server tries to perform
a transaction log backup for SQL Server non-Enterprise Editions or Primary file
group. The backup uses the NO_TRUNCATE and NO_RECOVERY SQL keywords.
For files that belong to secondary file groups and secondary file groups restore
for SQL Server Enterprise Editions, the restore workflow requires that you first
restore the file group and then take a backup of the active portion of the
transaction log.
If a file or file group is restored with the NetWorker User for SQL Server
program, the transaction log backups occur automatically. It is recommended
that you use the NetWorker User for SQL Server for this type of restore
operation.
4. Select Overwrite the existing file with the restored file to force the SQL
Server to ignore errors that are caused by nonexistent files, which are a result
of media failure. When you select this option, the recovery operation uses the
WITH REPLACE SQL keyword in the restore sequence. The file or file group is
restored to the exact location (drive and pathname) as the location on the
source host from which the data was backed up.
5. The Backup versions table lists the date and time of all the backups that are
available for the restore operation.
2. The Name for restored database field specifies the name for the restored
database:
l If you are performing a normal restore, this field displays the name of the
selected database is disabled.
l If you are performing a copy restore, CopyOf is appended to the source
database name and to all associated datafiles and log files.
In the Name for restored database field, type a new name in the field or
select a name from the list to specify a different name. The name must
comply with SQL Server naming conventions.
If you specify a different name, the data and log files retain the default
name, as shown in the File and Destination area. For example, if you select
copy restore when you want to restore a database named Project to a
database named Test, the data and log file names retain the values of
CopyOfProject_Data.MDF or CopyOfProject_Log.LDF. You must
change the data and log file names.
When the Name for restored database field is set to the name of an
existing database and you click Apply or OK, the Overwrite the existing
database field is enabled. For example, when the two databases are
incompatible, the name of the existing database is used for the restored one.
3. Select the Overwrite the existing database field for the SQL Server to create
the specified database and its related files, even if another database exists with
the same name. In such a case, the existing database is deleted.
This field causes the WITH REPLACE SQL keyword to be included in the restore
sequence. The WITH REPLACE keyword restores files over existing files of the
same name and location.
4. Select or clear the file groups to restore. If you are performing a normal or copy
restore, this field displays the file groups of the selected database. The set of
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file groups that is marked in this field is copied to the Modify the destination
for the files in list:
l Modify the destination for the files in lists the different views for the
database files that will be restored, and it enables the files that are visible in
the File and Destination table to be filtered.
l The File column of the File and Destination table lists SQL Server logical
file names. The Destination column lists physical file name and locations.
The files that are listed in this table are associated to the database that is
marked for the restore operation.
l If you are performing a normal restore, the File and Destination table
displays the current name and destination based on the SQL Server physical
file name and logical location for the restored file.
l If you are performing a copy restore, the File and Destination table displays
a default name and destination based on the SQL Server physical file name
and logical location for the restored file.
The default location for the datafiles and log files is in the data path of the
default SQL Server installation directory. If this directory is on the system
drive, provide enough disk space for the database files, or specify another
location that has sufficient space.
You cannot edit the File and Destination table. You can, however, modify
the destination location.
5. To modify the destination, perform do one of the following actions:
l Double-click a file to display the Specify the file destination dialog box.
Then follow the instructions in the next section.
l Click a file, and then click Destination to display the Specify the file
destination dialog box. Then follow the instructions in the next section.
Note that the following fields provide information and cannot be modified:
l The Source file name field displays the file that is currently selected in the File
and Destination lists. When multiple files are selected, this field is empty.
l The Source location field displays the file system location and the file that is
currently selected in the File and Destination lists. When multiple files are selected,
this field contains the file system location of the first selected file in the File and
Destination table.
Modify the following fields as required:
l The Destination location field displays the file system location for the restored
file. When multiple files are selected, the default SQL data path is open, but it is
not selected.
To modify this field, type a pathname or browse the file system tree and highlight
a directory or file. When a directory is highlighted, its path appears in the
Destination Location field. If a file is highlighted, the directory for the highlighted
file appears.
l The Destination file name field, by default, lists the name of the file that is
currently selected in the File and Destination table. When multiple files are
selected, the field is empty.
In the Destination file name field, type a new name or browse the file system tree
and highlight a file to modify this field. When a file is highlighted, the file name
appears in the Destination file name field.
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Note
Default file names are generated when the dialog box first appears. Verify that the
file names are correct. Verification is particularly important after you change the
database name.
Procedure
1. In the Properties dialog box, select Restore Time.
2. On the General tab, select Back up the active portion of the transaction log,
and then Specify a Restore Time.
Not the transactions in the transaction log backup exist in the restored
database. Only data up to the point-in-time restore operation appear.
You can specify a point-in-time restore for between the last scheduled full,
logs-only, or cumulative incremental backup and the current time. The
transaction log is backed up as the initial portion of the restore operation and, if
the transaction log backup is successful, the log is also restored.
3. Select Specify a Restore Time to enable the restore time controls, and then
Specify a Restore Time to enable the restore time controls.
4. Select Using a specific backup version to enable the Specify a time to
perform a point-in-time restore field.
The Specify a time to perform a point-in-time restore field indicates what
data from the marked backup version is reinstated during the restore, and what
to stop restoring transactions. If a backup is the most recent or a logs-only
backup, this field can be modified for a backup that is selected in the Backup
Versions table.
7. Specify which type of named log mark restores to perform by selecting one of
the following:
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l To restore the backup and stop it immediately after the named log mark,
select Restore to the End of the Log Mark. This type of restore includes
the named transaction in the restore.
l To restore the backup and stop it immediately before the named log mark,
select Restore to the Beginning of the Log Mark. This type of restore
excludes the named transaction.
8. Use the Log Mark table field to specify the log mark to use for the restore.
Only one-log mark is selected. The following columns appear in the Log Mark
table:
l Log mark—The name of the transaction log mark.
l Date Modified—The date and time, in milliseconds, on which the named
transaction log mark was created.
l Description—Any information about the log mark that was typed when the
transaction was performed.
9. To select a log mark, perform one of the following actions:
l Double-click any log mark in the table.
l Click any log mark in the list, and then click Mark.
A check mark appears next to the log mark name. You can mark only one log
mark name at a time.
5. In the Date field, specify the restore time date for the marked backup version.
The syntax for this text box is mm/dd/yyyy.
To modify the date, type a date by using the syntax or click the arrow to display
the Calendar. In the Calendar, click a date. Use the Previous Month and Next
Month buttons to change from the current month.
The restore time date must be within the range of transaction dates in the
selected backup version. If a transaction log backup has been specified as part
of the normal restore operation then the upper limit is today's date.
6. In the Time field, specify the restore time for the marked backup version. The
syntax for this text box is hh:mm:ss.
To modify the time, type or select a time.
The restore time must be within the range of transaction times in the marked
backup version. If a transaction log backup has been specified as part of the
restore operation, the upper limit is the current time.
Note
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Use the following procedure to set advanced restore options in the NetWorker User
for SQL Server GUI.
Procedure
1. On the Restore page, select the database that requires advanced recovery
options.
2. From the Options menu, select Restore Options.
The Restore Options window appears.
3. In the Advanced options field, type the required advanced recovery options.
Follow the syntax described in the Advanced restore options table. Separate
multiple entries with a comma. For example:
BUFFERCOUNT=2, KEEP_CDC, KEEP_REPLICATION
4. Click OK.
Results
The recovery options that are specified in the Advanced options field are applied to
the marked database.
When you restore an incompatible database by using the name of an existing database
or when you restore from a media failure where one or more database files were lost,
on the Files tab, select Overwrite the Existing Database.
To display the Files tab, right-click the database item and select Properties.
After the restore is finished, the restore completion time is listed in the Restore
Status window.
Note
If you do not have the instant file initialization feature enabled, the following warning
message will appear in the output:
However, the restore operation will continue. See Microsoft documentation for details
on enabling the database instant file initialization feature on the SQL Server.
2. In the NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI, select Operation > Select
NetWorker SQL Server Client.
The Select the SQL Server dialog box appears.
3. In the Select the SQL Server dialog box, select the Windows cluster name
from the list, and then click Continue.
The Select the SQL Server Instance dialog box appears.
4. In the Select the SQL Server Instance dialog box, select the instance (default
or named) where the availability group databases are created, and then click
Continue.
Note
If an availability group resides on multiple SQL Server instances, use the same
SQL Server instance name that was specified when you configured the backup.
160 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
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Figure 56 Backed-up availability group databases displayed in the NetWorker User for
SQL Server page
Note
A full backup is performed as part of the recovery process when SQL VDI
federated recovery is started.
NOTICE
Do not create a client resource using the Always On Availability Group virtual
name when you perform a backup because the backup will fail.
Note
You can also use the NMM SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) plugin GUI to
perform federated recovery of SQL Server 2012 and later. Refer to the section
Performing a recovery from the NMM SSMS plugin GUI on page 109 for instructions.
For SQL Server 2012 or later instance-level and database-level recovery, ensure to:
1. Perform a full backup of the instance or Always On database.
2. On the primary replica server, break the Always On replication for the Always On
database by typing the following command in NMM SSMS plugin GUI T-SQL
query window:
ALTER AVAILABILITY GROUP group_name REMOVE DATABASE database_name
3. On the secondary replica server, delete the Always On database, which is in
restoring mode.
Complete the following steps to perform instance-level recovery.
1. On the primary replica server:
Performing recovery of federated backups with NetWorker User for SQL Server 161
Data Recovery
Note
Performing SQL Server 2012 or later recovery when an Always On Availability Group is
configured on a SQL Server instance or database
This section provides instructions on how to restore an Always On Availability Group
that includes both primary and secondary database replicas.
Note
Ensure that you have full and incremental backups of the SQL Server instance or
Always On database.
Procedure
1. On the primary replica server, break the Always On replication for the Always
On database using the following steps:
a. From the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) GUI, from the Object
Explorer pane, expand the primary replica server.
b. Select the availability group, and then expand Availability Databases.
c. From the Object Explorer pane, select the Always On database that you
want to recover.
d. Right-click the selected database, and then click Remove Database from
Availability Group.
The Remove Database from Availability Group dialog box appears, as
shown in the following figure.
162 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
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e. In the Remove Database from Availability Group dialog box, verify that the
database you want to recover is listed, and then click OK to break the
Always On replication.
2. Open the NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI, and then from the Normal
Restore page, recover the Always On database with default settings.
3. Select the database backup that you want to restore and which browse time
you must change.
Note
Ensure that you have selected an incremental backup. This procedure does not
work with full backups.
4. Click OK.
The Restore Option dialog box appears.
5. Click Yes.
The restore operation is completed on the primary server.
Performing recovery of federated backups with NetWorker User for SQL Server 163
Data Recovery
The following figure shows the output for a successful restore operation.
Figure 59 Restore Status window
Note
The browse time must be the same as the one you selected for the restore
operation on the primary node.
7. From the NMM SSMS plugin GUI on the primary replica server, in the Add
Database to Availability Group window, select Join only to rejoin the Always
On database to the Availability Group.
The following figure shows the Add Database to Availability Group window.
Figure 60 Add Database to Availability Group window - Select Initial Data
Synchronization view
8. Click Next.
The Validation page appears, as shown in the following figure.
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9. Click Next.
The Summary page appears.
10. Click Finish.
The Results page appears.
11. To join the Always On database to the availability group, from the SSMS GUI on
the secondary replica server, in the Object Explorer pane, right-click the
Always On database, and then click Join to Availability Group.
Performing recovery of federated backups with NetWorker User for SQL Server 165
Data Recovery
166 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
CHAPTER 7
Granular-Level Recovery
l Overview.......................................................................................................... 168
l Considerations..................................................................................................168
l Performing granular-level recovery...................................................................173
l Dismounting backups after performing granular-level recovery........................ 176
Overview
NMM supports granular-level recovery (GLR) for backups of SQL Server created with
NMM and SQL VDI.
GLR enables you to recover specific items from a single backup without having to
restore the entire backup. By using GLR with SQL Server, you can recover individual
tables to the production database. This feature reduces the space requirements on
local system storage during a restore operation. Depending on the size of the content
database, GLR may also reduce recovery time.
NMM SQL GLR requires GLR enabled backups. NMM SQL GLR enabled backups are
enabled by default for NMM 9.1 and later. GLR enabled backups perform additional
inline processing during a backup operation, and store additional metadata on the save
set backup records. GLR enabled backups are not supported for direct backups to
tape devices.
NMM SQL GLR is managed from the Table Restore tab in the NMM SSMS plug-in
GUI. The Table Restore tab allows you to select the database and backup version for
GLR. The Table Restore tab constructs a list of save sets that are contained in the
selected backup version. NMM uses a mount service and the NetWorker Virtual File
System (NWFS) to mount all save sets in the selected SQL backup version. The
NWFS exposes the save sets as SQL native backup files on a virtual file system on the
NMM client.
After the Table Restore tab mounts all save sets as a virtual file system, ItemPoint™
for Microsoft SQL Server launches. ItemPoint reads the NWFS and presents the
database and tables that are contained in the backup, enabling you to restore SQL
tables to the production database. Once GLR is performed through ItemPoint and the
program is exited, the NMM SSMS plugin GUI unmounts the backup.
The NMM SSMS plugin GUI mounts SQL backups as NWFS by using a mount service.
The mount service enables lifecycle management of the mount. While a backup is
mounted, the mount service system tray icon appears. You can use the tray icon to
inspect the mount path, extend the mount time, and unmount the backup.
Considerations
ItemPoint environmental requirements
Before using ItemPoint for Microsoft SQL Server, consider the following
environmental requirements:
l ItemPoint supports the 64-bit versions of the following operating systems, both
physical and virtual:
n Windows Server 2008
n Windows Server 2008 R2
n Windows Server 2012
n Windows Server 2012 R2
n Windows Server 2016
n Windows 7
n Windows 8
n Windows 10
l ItemPoint requires Microsoft .NET Framework version 4.5
168 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
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l ItemPoint supports the following SQL Servers as both source and target servers:
n SQL 2005
n SQL 2008
n SQL 2008 R2
n SQL 2012
n SQL 2014
n SQL 2016
l ItemPoint supports the following Microsoft Azure source data:
n Local backups of Microsoft Azure
n Downloaded copies of database files
n Downloaded copies of backup files
Note
SQL Server data that is hosted in the Microsoft Azure cloud is not available as
source data. Move or copy the data to a local folder before using ItemPoint for
Microsoft SQL Server.
l ItemPoint supports the following Microsoft Azure target servers:
n SQL Server data files in Microsoft Azure
n SQL Server virtual machines in Microsoft Azure
n SQL database in Microsoft Azure
Note
For virtual environments, virtual operation of tape devices may have restrictions that
are imposed by virtual operating systems.
The ItemPoint for Microsoft SQL Server User Guide provides the details about using
ItemPoint to perform granular-level recovery of SQL backups.
Supported data types
ItemPoint supports the following data types:
l Table level restoring of data
l Snapshots (if presented as a drive letter or volume of files)
l Column (data) types (up to 2 GB):
n BigInt, Int, SmallInt, TinyInt, Bit
n Binary, VarBinary
n Char, VarChar, NChar, NVarChar
n Computed Columns
Note
Considerations 169
Granular-Level Recovery
n Image, VarBinary(max)
n Money, SmallMoney
n Numeric, Decimal
n Sql_variant
Note
Note
Note
Note
170 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
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n COLUMN_SET column
Note
While sparse columns that are defined by COLUMN_SET column appear in the
Source List, tables containing this column cannot be copied.
n Filestream
Note
Installation requirements
To use the SQL granular-level recovery feature, you must select the following options
from the NMM installation wizard:
l The SQL GLR option
This option installs the following required components for granular-level recovery:
n The Eldos CBFS driver
n The NMM mount service
n The NetWorker virtual file system (NWFS) plugin
n ItemPoint for SQL Server
l The SQL SSMS plugin option
This option is required because SQL granular-level recovery is managed and
initiated through the Table Restore tab in the NMM Microsoft SQL Server
Management Studio (SSMS) plugin GUI.
The NetWorker Module for Microsoft Installation Guide provides more information.
Backup considerations
SQL granular-level recovery requires backups that are created with NMM 9.1 or later.
No additional configuration is required for granular-level recovery compatible backups
as granular-level recovery is enabled by default for backups that are taken with NMM
9.1 or later. Backups that are taken with older versions of NMM are not granular-level
recovery enabled. Backups that use the NetWorker AES encryption or NetWorker
compression technology are not supported for granular-level recovery.
Granular-level recovery is supported only for SQL Server backups that are taken with
an AFTD or Data Domain device. Client Direct must be enabled for the volumes
containing the save sets to be restored in order for the mount operation to succeed. If
a Client Direct session cannot be established, the mount operation fails.
If the backup is on a tape device, the backup must be cloned to an AFTD or Data
Domain device before you can perform a granular-level recovery operation. In this
scenario, it is also required to set the recovery pool in the registry. Contact support
for details.
The default creation of SQL granular-level recovery compatible backups does not
affect backup workflow. For example, if you are performing a type of backup that is
not supported for granular-level recovery, the backup completes successfully.
However, if a backup is not granular-level recovery compatible, NMM writes warning
messages to the operational logs. If these warning messages impact group completion
statuses, disable granular-level recovery backups by typing ENABLE_GLR=NO in the
application information field of the client resource.
The following backup types are not supported for SQL table level recovery:
l Columnstore indexes
Considerations 171
Granular-Level Recovery
Note
Note
172 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
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For example, if the source table has three rows with identity values of 1, 3, 5, once
restored, the target has values of 1, 2, 3 because this behavior is the normal
behavior of identity columns.
Note
The Table Restore tab is only visible in the NMM SSMS plugin GUI if the SQL GLR
option is selected during NMM installation.
The Table Restore tab is used to mount the backup in the NetWorker virtual file
system so that it is available for granular-level recovery using the ItemPoint GUI.
Procedure
1. In the SQL Server Management Studio, select the SQL Server instance that you
want to recover, and then open the NetWorker window.
2. In the NetWorker window, on the Table Restore tab, under Select a page,
click General.
The General page appears.
The following figure shows the NetWorker window open to the Table Restore
tab, on the General page.
3. Select the NetWorker server where the backup is located from the NetWorker
Server list.
Use the Update button to update the list of available NetWorker servers.
The SQL Server Instance list is refreshed after you select the NetWorker
server.
4. From the SQL Server Host list, select the client that contains the backup.
5. From the SQL Server Instance list, select the server instance that contains the
backup.
6. From the Database list, select the database.
7. Specify the browse time by using one of the following options:
l Use the Browse time list.
l Click Show versions and choose the browse date and time.
The table is populated with the save sets in the SQL database instance that are
available for recovery. The number of available backup versions appears in the
bottom bar.
8. From the table, select the save set that contains the items for granular-level
recovery.
9. To specify additional granular-level recovery options, under Select a page, click
Options.
The Options page appears.
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The following figure shows the NetWorker window open to the Table Restore
tab, on the Options page.
Figure 63 NetWorker dialog box—Table Restore Options page
10. (Optional) Under Mount Options, modify the following settings as required:
l Edit the Mount Folder field to change the location where database is
mounted as files. The default mount path is the registry key folder that is
specified during installation.
l Edit the Mount Expires field to change the amount of time that the backup
remains mounted. The default setting is 8 hours, and the maximum setting is
24 hours.
Valid mount expiration values are 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours.
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l The backup is dismounted based on the timeout setting specified in the Options
view. The default timeout period for a mounted backup is 8 hours.
The following actions are available through the Mount system tray icon:
l Dismount Backups—Dismount a backup.
l Mount Details—View mount details.
l Extend Timeout—Extend the period for which the backup is mounted.
The mount timeout can be extended by 2, 4, 8, 16, or 24 hours.
The following figure shows the Mount Details window.
Figure 66 Mount Details window
178 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
CHAPTER 8
Striped Backup and Recovery
where:
n Lowercase -s specifies the NetWorker server name.
n Uppercase -S with n specifies the number of stripes.
Performance considerations
Review the following suggestions in this section to improve striped backup
performance.
l In the NetWorker Administration GUI, in the Create Device or Edit Device dialog
box, configure target sessions for the NetWorker devices that are performing the
striped backup.
Always specify one session per device when using striping. This configuration
eliminates interleaving, yielding the best backup performance on the client host.
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l Keep the following criteria in mind when you allot a separate backup device (such
as a tape drive) for each strip in the backup or recovery operation:
n Use a different NetWorker server for the backup and the recovery operations
that is unrelated to the SQL Server.
n Use a dedicated storage node for the striped backups.
l NMM automatically recovers data using the same number of stripes that were
specified for the backup.
For best recovery performance, ensure that the same number of devices that are
used for the backup are available at recovery time.
l Configure the computer to run the following components:
n NetWorker client as a NetWorker storage node
n NMM
n SQL Server
Note
The NetWorker server cannot be installed on the same host as the NMM client
software.
where n specifies the number of stripes you want to use, for example, -S3.
l From the NetWorker Administration GUI:
1. Click Protection.
2. In the expanded left pane, click Clients.
3. In the right pane, right-click the client, and then select Modify Client
Properties.
4. On the Apps & Modules tab, append -Sn to the nsrsqlsv command, where n
is the number of stripes to use.
5. Click OK.
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If Then
The backup was interleaved Use NMC to determine if a second mount
request has occurred for a volume that is
already assigned tape sessions.
Fewer devices are available Use NMC to determine if a device has been
deactivated or is performing an operation for
another client.
NOTICE
Because enabling striped recoveries on the NetWorker server might cause file system
recoveries to fail, do not use this recovery method as a permanent solution.
NOTICE
You do not need to restart the NetWorker services to activate this setting.
6. From the NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI or from the command prompt,
start the restore operation.
7. If the volumes with the striped recovery are not managed by an autochanger,
monitor events in NMC.
When a media wait event occurs, load the volume.
184 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
CHAPTER 9
Disaster Recovery
Note
The SQL Server databases must be recovered in the correct order. Follow the
database recovery steps in the Data Recovery chapter.
Note
NMM does not support snapshot backups or recoveries of the SQL Server master
database. Recover from a traditional backup of the master system database during
a disaster recovery.
Database restore order When you recover a complete backup of all databases or when you recover certain
system databases, the recovery must occur in a specific order. If system databases
are present in the recovery list, NMM ensures that the recovery order follows SQL
Server procedures as follows:
1. The master database is always recovered first. This order ensures that
metadata present in the master database is correct for all subsequent restored
databases.
2. The msdb database is always recovered after the master database and before
all other databases. This sequence ensures that scheduling and other system
data present in the msdb database are correct for all subsequent restored
databases.
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3. The model database is always recovered after the master and the msdb
databases and before all other databases. This sequence ensures that the
database configuration is correct for all subsequent databases.
SQL Server startup complete detection When the SQL Server is started, a database startup process is also started. The
SQL Server enables user connections while the startup process is running.
However, if the startup process is interrupted by a database RESTORE query, any
database that has not yet started is marked as suspect. When the interruption
occurs, subsequent restores of the msdb database fail. Subsequent recovery of any
user database might also fail unless the Overwrite the Existing Database field
is specified in the Properties dialog box.
NMM waits for the SQL Server to complete the database startup process for all
databases before starting a recovery. NMM waits for the recovery of the master
database to complete. This wait process enables a proper restore of the msdb
database and user databases following a SQL Server startup.
Always use the -f option with the nsrsqlrc command for a recovery that follows
a SQL Server startup.
Overwriting capability Use the Files tab in the Properties dialog box of the NetWorker User for SQL
Server GUI to specify that you want to overwrite all databases during a restore
operation.
NMM does not handle all dependent services. When recovering application
services, such Metadata or Replication services, as well as the databases on which
these services depend, the services must be manually shut down.
NMM does not ensure that all connections to a database are closed before it
recovers a database as required by the SQL Server. Such open connections must
be manually closed. The Microsoft SQL Server documentation provides more
information.
for all of the SQL Server databases exist, you can recover the SQL Server by restoring
the ALL save set and the SQL Server databases.
Note
6. Complete disaster recovery through the NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI:
a. Click Restore.
b. Select Normal, and then click Continue.
The Restore (Normal) window appears.
c. Right-click the SQL Server root and select Mark All Databases.
d. From the Options menu, select Restore Options.
The Restore Options dialog box appears.
e. Click Automatically Overwrite Any Database Marked for Restore, and
then click OK.
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f. Click Start.
Note
When the ALL save set contains the critical state information for the SQL
Server and backups for all of the SQL Server databases exist, you can recover
the SQL Server by restoring the ALL save set and the SQL Server databases.
6. Start the recovery in the NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI. Select Replace
to recover the SQL Server master database and the msdb database.
7. Recover the other SQL application databases.
Note
8. Complete disaster recovery through the NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI:
a. Click Restore.
Note
When the ALL save set contains the critical state information for the SQL
Server and backups for all of the SQL Server databases exist, you can recover
the SQL Server by restoring the ALL save set and the SQL Server databases.
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Note
10. Complete disaster recovery through the NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI:
a. Click Restore.
b. Select Normal, and then click Continue.
The Restore (Normal) window appears.
c. Right-click the SQL Server root and select Mark All Databases.
d. From the Options menu, select Restore Options.
The Restore Options dialog box appears.
e. Click Automatically Overwrite Any Database Marked for Restore, and
then click OK.
f. Click Start.
Recovering the SQL Server without reinstalling the SQL Server 191
Disaster Recovery
Note
To run steps 8 and 9 as a single operation from the command line, type the
following command:
For information about how you can install various SQL Server versions from the
command prompt, visit http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/
ms144259(v=sql.100).aspx. Use the Other Versions list at the top of the page to
view information for a particular SQL version.
10. Complete disaster recovery through the NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI:
a. Click Restore.
b. Select Normal, and then click Continue.
The Restore (Normal) window appears.
c. Right-click the SQL Server root and select Mark All Databases.
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Note
To run steps 5 and 6 as a single operation from the command line, type the
following command:
7. Complete disaster recovery through the NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI:
a. Click Restore.
b. Select Normal, and then click Continue.
The Restore (Normal) window appears.
c. Right-click the SQL Server root and select Mark All Databases.
d. From the Options menu, select Restore Options.
The Restore Options dialog box appears.
e. Click Automatically Overwrite Any Database Marked for Restore, and
then click OK.
f. Click Start.
194 NetWorker Module for Microsoft for SQL VDI 9.2 User Guide
CHAPTER 10
Bare-Metal Recovery
Overview
Bare-metal recovery (BMR) is a technique in the field of data recovery and restoration
where the backed up data is available in a form that allows you to restore a system
from bare metal, that is, without any requirements as to previously installed software
or operating system.
Typically, the backed up data includes the necessary operating system, applications,
and data components to rebuild or restore the backed up system to an entirely
separate piece of hardware. The hardware receiving the restore should have a similar
configuration as that of the hardware that was the source of the backup.
The basic BMR is the process of bringing up a server after a disaster and ensuring that
the system recovers with the operating system, the applications, and the data as they
were at the time of the failure.
Restoring a server to the exact configuration that it had at the time of its destruction
can be a difficult task. When this restoration is performed to another hardware, it can
add to the complexity of the process and can be time-consuming. Windows BMR
solution provides a flexible and reliable method of restoring a server after a disaster.
System requirements
The following sections list requirements to perform Windows BMR. However, the
NetWorker Online Software Compatibility Matrix at http://compatibilityguide.emc.com:
8080/CompGuideApp/ provides the latest information about the system requirements
to perform Windows BMR by using NMM.
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CPU requirements
Consider the following CPU requirements:
l The operating system architecture and the processor architecture must match.
l Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface
(UEFI) must match.
l You can treat AMD or Intel processors as being the same if they follow the same
architecture. You can recover the operating system backup of an AMD x64
computer to an Intel x64 computer. The process is reversible.
l You can restore the backup of an x86 operating system version only to an x86
processor computer.
l You can restore the backup of an x64 operating system version only to an x64
processor computer.
Note
NetWorker considers only system volume as a critical volume. If you have installed
a Microsoft application on a drive other than the system drive, the drive is not
considered as critical. On Windows Server 2008 R2, a volume is critical if a
Microsoft application has installed a Windows service on it, but on Windows
Server 2012, a volume that has a Windows application service installed is not
critical.
l To make a volume critical on Windows Server 2012, set the value of the HKLM
\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\SystemWriter
\ReportWin32ServicesNonSystemState registry key to 0. This ensures that
BMR includes the Microsoft application binaries, and the volume on which they are
installed is marked as critical.
2. If you use a NetWorker server earlier than 9.0.x, create a NetWorker group
without enabling the Snapshot option. Otherwise, create a policy.
3. Create a NetWorker client resource, and assign it to the group that you created
in step 2.
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4. Configure the NetWorker client resource by typing ALL in the Save set field,
and clearing the Backup command and Application information fields.
5. Perform a backup.
6. Use NMM to perform a full backup of application data.
The NMM application specific user guides provide details about how to perform
a full backup.
Note
Specific information about how to backup and recover Microsoft applications in NMM
9.2 is provided in application-specific user guides.
NOTICE
For all the Microsoft applications, after performing Windows disaster recovery and
restarting the system, check all the disk and volume configurations. Usually, the disks
and volumes appear as on the original system.
However, it is possible, especially in BMR scenarios, that the volume or disk signatures
do not match the original ones, and the non-critical volumes or disks are offline and
not mounted. Use the Microsoft Disk Manager to bring the volumes and disks online,
and then restart the system for drive letter reassignments. Assign the same drive
letters that existed before the BMR. Non-critical volumes that the mount points
access might have a similar issue.
Creating client resources by using the NetWorker Client Backup Configuration Wizard
Create separate client resources to back up the application data and the file system
data. The client resource for the file system data must include the ALL save set.
The section Configuring user privileges to perform NMM operations on page 44
provides information about how to create a client resource to back up the application
data.
The "Creating a client resource with the Client Backup Configuration Wizard" section
in the NetWorker Administration Guide provides information about how to create a
client resource to back up the file system data.
2. Create a client resource to back up the ALL save set on the active node:
a. In the NetWorker Administrator window, click Protection.
b. In the expanded left panel, right-click Clients and select New.
c. In the Create Client dialog box:
a. In the Name field, type the name for the active node.
b. In the Group list, select the group that you created in step 1.
c. In the Save set field, type ALL.
d. Specify other fields according to the requirements.
e. Click OK.
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Note
When you perform step 2c1, in the Name field, type the name for the passive
node.
Note
When you perform step 2c1, in the Name field, type the name for the Windows
cluster.
Note
When you perform step 2c1, in the Name field, type the SQL virtual name.
7. Create a client resource with SQL virtual name to back up the SQL application
data:
a. In the NetWorker Administrator window, click Protection.
b. In the expanded left panel, right-click Clients and select New.
The Create Client dialog box appears.
d. On the Apps & Modules tab, in the Backup command field, type nsrnmmsv.
e. Specify other fields according to the requirements.
f. Click OK.
8. Create dummy client resources for the physical nodes of the cluster.
9. Perform the backup.
Ensure that the backup successfully completes.
Refer to Microsoft documentation for information about how to rebuild the SQL
Server system databases. The following table provides links to relevant
Microsoft documentation for various versions of SQL Server.
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b. On the Dependencies tab, add all the SQL Server dependencies that you
must bring online before you bring the SQL Server online. For example, add
any dependent cluster disk.
c. Bring the SQL virtual resources online.
d. Bring the SQL Server online.
e. Perform the failover and ensure that the failover is successful.
6. Restore the databases by using the NetWorker User for Microsoft GUI:
a. Open the NetWorker User for Microsoft GUI.
b. Select the SQL Server and relevant SQL virtual server instance, and then
click Recover.
Creating client resources by using the NetWorker Client Backup Configuration Wizard
Create separate client resources to back up the application data and the file system
data. The client resource for the file system data must include the ALL save set.
Configuring user privileges to perform NMM operations on page 44 provides
information about how to create a client resource to back up the application data.
The "Creating a client resource with the Client Backup Configuration Wizard" section
in the NetWorker Administration Guide provides information about how to create a
client resource to back up the file system data.
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b. On the Apps & Modules tab, ensure that the Backup command and
Application information fields are clear.
c. Specify other fields according to the requirements.
d. Click OK.
5. Perform the backup.
Ensure that the backup successfully completes.
7. In the right panel, right-click the client resource and select Modify Client
Properties.
8. In the Client Properties dialog box:
a. On the General tab:
l In the Group list, select the group that you have created in step 1.
l In the Save set field, type the name of the SQL Server instance that
contains the databases you must restore:
n MSSQL: for the default SQL Server instance.
n MSSQL$<named_instance> for a named SQL Server instance.
b. On the Apps & Modules tab, in the Backup command field, type nsrsqlsv.
c. Specify other fields according to the requirements.
d. Click OK.
9. Perform the backup.
Ensure that the backup successfully completes.
3. Restore the databases by using the NetWorker User for SQL Server GUI:
a. Start the NetWorker User for SQL Server program, and connect to the SQL
server instance.
b. Browse the backed up databases.
c. Select the databases and restore the databases.
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Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting 207
Troubleshooting
Table 46 Program and log file names without debug logging enabled
nsrsqlrc.exe nsrsqlrc.log
Table 47 Program and log file names with debug logging enabled
nsrsqlrc.exe nsrsqlrc_<timestamp>.<processid>.
log
The logging capabilities of nsrsqlsv and nsrsqlrc are not cluster-aware. For both
clustered and nonclustered configurations, the logs are stored on a local disk.
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Troubleshooting GLR
View the log files to troubleshoot GLR, which are by default located at C:\Program
Files\EMC NetWorker\nsr\applogs. Set a higher debug level in the Options
view of the NMM SSMS plugin GUI for more detailed logs for troubleshooting.
This section contains solutions to common problems.
Mount failure because save set is not GLR-capable
While mounting a backup for granular-level recovery with the SSMS plugin, the
Monitor page provides messages about the status of the mount operation. If the
Note
This workaround disables Client Direct for all client operations, including subsequent
backups. This workaround is against NMM best practices and you may run into
timeout and other restore issues if you do not enable Client Direct.
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