Does anybody have any suggestions on how to backup a server without application data that would allow a restore of the base server which can then have the application data restored separately?
Previously used backup product had a selection item called “BMR” that could be used to backup the base server allowing Bare Metal Recovery.
If it makes any difference the server is a virtual machine.
Best answer by Gopinath
Hi Tom,
When application data is present on other disks than OS and Application installed disk(s). you can protect that VM with disk filters to skip backup of application data disks. Restored VM will have only OS+App disk(s), later add other required size vmdks so SQL team can restore the databases to those.
sharing VMware VM’s disk filter BOL reference here:
With that said, you could always do a backup of a machine BEFORE you install any apps, then do your One Touch Restore based off that pre-application backup.
@Aplynx definitely has a valid point and something that gave me a bit of pause as well. If these are vms, why not just use templates?
Don’t think I’ve explained that well what trying to achieve. Would still like to be able to restore the base OS with the installed applications etc but not the data.
example where SQL backups are managed separately but want to backup the virtual machine for quick restore to then handover to SQL team to restore the databases.
You can always back up the File Systems (with the FS iDA) and the Application data separately via the SQL iDA; that way you can do a FS restore then the DBAs can restore the database as needed.
When application data is present on other disks than OS and Application installed disk(s). you can protect that VM with disk filters to skip backup of application data disks. Restored VM will have only OS+App disk(s), later add other required size vmdks so SQL team can restore the databases to those.
sharing VMware VM’s disk filter BOL reference here:
When backing up a SQL VM using “File system and Application consistent” is it possible to exclude the SQL side of VSS to prevent breaking a separately configured Full/Diff backup chain?
Is it as simple as stopping/disabling the SQL VSS writer or will that cause issues elsewhere ie) if using the Commvault SQL iDA?
When application data is present on other disks than OS and Application installed disk(s). you can protect that VM with disk filters to skip backup of application data disks. Restored VM will have only OS+App disk(s), later add other required size vmdks so SQL team can restore the databases to those.
sharing VMware VM’s disk filter BOL reference here:
Just remember that when filter disks out and you perform an in-place restore that the first thing Commvault does is DELETE THE DISKS, including those filtered out. So make sure restore the os disk as a copy.
When backing up a SQL VM using “File system and Application consistent” is it possible to exclude the SQL side of VSS to prevent breaking a separately configured Full/Diff backup chain?
Is it as simple as stopping/disabling the SQL VSS writer or will that cause issues elsewhere ie) if using the Commvault SQL iDA?
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