Snapshot on file-level and VSS

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truwrikodrorowrelupicugojestutroclulachosaswunuhospikigawakijosaswenomaruclojeueclikaspedrubewidebrisubrohutrurifruuagothunugekedrumucisiuobrobrecrupeslapuswosluprothethibakaslechurathikucli
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Posts: 10
Comments: 4

Hello,

I have a question about file-level backup snapshot. I backup two server with Windows Server 2008 / 2008 R2 running Active Directory and one of them SQL Server 2008 R2 too. They manage seperate domains, so there is no sync or replication between them, just two standalone machines.

So, one of the server runs Acronis Backup & Recovery 11.5 and one uses Acronis Backup & Recovery 11. I enabled in the backup option "Use Volume Shadow Copy Service with Software - System VSS (Microsoft VSS)". Backups runs fine and there is no trouble about that. But now I saw an entry on the standard backup option named "Snapshot on file-level" ( I use the german product, so I don't know the exact english title of it). It is enabled on "Create snapshot if available/possible".

My question is now: Does I need a snapshot on file-level ALWAYS, only if it is available or should I don't use it on a Domain Controller with Active Directory? Is this (in any way) related to VSS or is this a wholly separate option? Is there any recommendation whats the best or one good settings for backup a system which contains active directory or sql server?

It is very important that I have a consistent state of the files because the server runs Active Directory and SQL Server.

Thank you,

Burak

Sun, 10/07/2012 - 11:59
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truwrikodrorowrelupicugojestutroclulachosaswunuhospikigawakijosaswenomaruclojeueclikaspedrubewidebrisubrohutrurifruuagothunugekedrumucisiuobrobrecrupeslapuswosluprothethibakaslechurathikucli
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It only matters if you run file backup, i.e. if select 'files' in 'data to backup'. Backing up AD and SQL server data is not recommended in file mode. If you use disk/partition backup, 'file level snapshot' option is not applicable, and will not show in backup plan options. You can see it only in default backup options.

Sun, 10/07/2012 - 18:23
truwrikodrorowrelupicugojestutroclulachosaswunuhospikigawakijosaswenomaruclojeueclikaspedrubewidebrisubrohutrurifruuagothunugekedrumucisiuobrobrecrupeslapuswosluprothethibakaslechurathikucli
Beginner
Posts: 10
Comments: 4

Thank you for your answer. That sounds great, so I don't have to worry ;). So I can sum up that the only things that matter are Volume Shadow Copy service and Multi-volume snapshot to get a consistent backup of active direectory and SQL server?

Sun, 10/07/2012 - 20:18