Backing up a Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2003

Question

Hi@all, I tried to safe a Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2003 on a NetWorker Server 7.3.4. First I read the Module for Microsoft Application Installation and Administration Guide. Then I installed the Module for Microsoft Application x64 on the Storage Server. I do all the things to do on the NetWorker server as instructed at the administration guide. The snapshot policy for the client says 2 snapshots, 2 retain, Day and First. The scheduled Backup last night did not work. deamon.log@NetWorker server: 09/03/08 00:00:00 nsrd: savegroup info: skipped starting snapshot group B2D HAJFS001 SO FULL 09/03/08 00:00:01 nsrd: savegroup info: starting snapshot group B2D HAJFS001 MO-SA INCR (with 1 client(s)) 09/03/08 00:00:22 nsrd: savegroup info: hajfs001:SYSTEM COMPONENTS:\: No full backups of this save set were found in the media database; performing a full backup 09/03/08 00:00:34 nsrd: client notice: hajfs001.ithaj.de: Volume backup: VSS Writer files and folders will be excluded for backup and restore of:Y:\,W:\,V:\,U:\,T:\,S:\,R:\,Q:\,P:\,O:\,N:\,M:\,L:\,K:\,J:\,I:\,H:\,G:\,F:\,E:\,C:\WINDOWS\backup,C:\, :VSS Writer files and folders are backed up and restored only when the VSS Writer is listed in the saveset list.. 09/03/08 00:00:35 nsrd: client notice: hajfs001.ithaj.de: Snapshot requested for: SYSTEM COMPONENTS:\,Y:\,W:\,V:\,U:\,T:\,S:\,R:\,Q:\,P:\,O:\,N:\,M:\,L:\,K:\,J:\,I:\,H:\,G:\,F:\,E:\,C:\WINDOWS\backup,C:\. 09/03/08 00:01:34 nsrd: client notice: hajfs001.ithaj.de: Snapshot completed for: SYSTEM COMPONENTS:\,Y:\,W:\,V:\,U:\,T:\,S:\,R:\,Q:\,P:\,O:\,N:\,M:\,L:\,K:\,J:\,I:\,H:\,G:\,F:\,E:\,C:\WINDOWS\backup,C:\. 09/03/08 00:01:35 nsrd: client notice: hajfs001.ithaj.de: Importing snapshot for: C:\,C:\WINDOWS\backup\,E:\,F:\,G:\,H:\,I:\,J:\,K:\,L:\,M:\,N:\,O:\,P:\,Q:\,R:\,S:\,T:\,U:\,V:\,W:\,Y:\. * hajfs001 hajfs001:SYSTEM COMPONENTS:\: No full backups of this save set were found in the media database; performing a full backup * hajfs001 52051:nsrsnap:Printing savecmd=nsrsnap_vss_save.exe after parsing * hajfs001 50387:nsrsnap_vss_save: nsrsnap_vss_save: Calling nsrsnap_vss_save.exe * hajfs001 [2316] 09/03/08 00:00:10 NetWorker Server Version: NetWorker 7.3.4.Build.560 Network Edition/50* hajfs001 50411:nsrsnap_vss_save: nsrsnap_vss_save: Data mover host name not specified. Assuming local host: hajfs001.ithaj.de......* hajfs001 Nsr tmp09/03/08 00:02:49 savegrp: hajfs001 failed.09/03/08 00:02:49 savegrp: hajfs001:Y:\ will retry 1 more time(s).......09/03/08 00:02:49 nsrd: savegroup info: hajfs001:SYSTEM COMPONENTS:\: No full backups of this save set were found in the media database; performing a full backup09/03/08 00:05:38 nsrmmd #1: Device g:\HAJFS001\_AF_readonly, with total 419841279 blocks, each of size 4096, now has 222550352 blocks free____________The same messages at 2:38 AM.Manual Backup of one Folder doesn`t work too. log:09/03/08 08:36:33 nsrd: client notice: hajfs001.ithaj.de: Volume backup: VSS Writer files and folders will be excluded for backup and restore of:K:\Transfer\40Transferdaten\Bamberger, :VSS Writer files and folders are backed up and restored only when the VSS Writer is listed in the saveset list..09/03/08 08:36:33 nsrd: client notice: hajfs001.ithaj.de: Snapshot requested for: K:\Transfer\40Transferdaten\Bamberger.09/03/08 08:36:38 nsrd: client notice: hajfs001.ithaj.de: Snapshot completed for: K:\Transfer\40Transferdaten\Bamberger.______________That's it. Nothing happens for a long time. We need the Module for Microsoft Applications because we use the Single Instance Storage an traditional Backups don't work well. Backup functions are not the problem, recovering Data on SIS-Volumes are working, but the data is corrupt.I do not know what to do right now. Excuse me for the bad english.GreetingsDominik Bamberger

ble1 · Answer

It looks as if NMM is not configured correctly.

I never did a test with SIS, but did you try 7.4SP2 or could you try 7.4SP3? These versions should use VSS and since both VSS and SIS are coming from the same vendor I assume you might get better luck.

Bamberger · Answer

I can not try Networker Server 7.4 with any SP because it's a productive machine. I will try it when my test-Hardware is arrived.

Bamberger · Answer

Hi@all,i updated the server to version 7.4.3 and try to use Networker Module for Microsoft Applications 2.1 on the Windows Storage Server.Saving Files via Snapshot works.Rollover works, too.All seem to be okay.BUT:I activated SIS on a Volume. I copied 2 identically files on it, so SIS saves space automatically.Now i can make a backup via snapshot an rollover, too.When i recover the files, they are corrupt.1. I can't open the Files2. I can not delete the Files3. I can not edit NTFS-Security entries.4. Formatting the volume is not possibleThe only way is to delete the volume.In fact, there is no way to safe and recover Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2003 with activated SIS on a volume.If there is no SIS activated, it is possible to safe an recover traditionally with Networker Client 7.4.3.Have anyone an idea?BWDominik Bamberger

Bamberger · Answer

No that did not work.This was my first test. The same problem, recovered Data is corrupt.BgDominik

ble1 · Answer

I'm asking because VSS is MS thing and if VSS is not able to handle SIS I would turn to MS and ask them for advice. Still, you may wish to check how this looks by using NT backup which also uses VSS I believe in 2003 - just to see what do you get.

ble1 · Answer

What about test without NMM? If you just use VSS with SIS enabled - does it work then?

Bamberger · Answer

I tried MSBackup already and it works very fine. I'ts possible to safe and recover Files on a SIS activated volume. No problems.I will try it again and post the result.

Bamberger · Answer

I tested a backup via VSS.Safe Set:o:\VSS ASR DISK:\VSS OTHER:\VSS SYSTEM BOOT:\VSS SYSTEM FILESET:\VSS SYSTEM SERVICES:\VSS USER DATA:\The Volume O:\ is an SIS-activated Disk with duplicates Files. Two JPGs and 4 PDFs.The safed space is 27,7 MB.I activated Windows Shadow Copies on this volume.Backup goes very well. Recover with Networker User works fine too, but the recovered file is already corrupt.So I don't see any way to backup a MS SIS activated volume with duplicated files and saved space.There only one way to save files with Microsoft Backup. But this is no option for me.May any one help me?Regards,Dominik Bamberger

ble1 · Answer

It's strange as I thought with VSS NetWorker would note this and when returning back data it should know what goes where. You may wish to open this with support to see what EMC engineering will say.

Bamberger · Answer

Hi!After a few month my question has been answered.The EMC-Support can't help me and told me to go to Microsoft.Microsoft can't help me, because the product 'Windows Storage Server 20032' is only supported by OEMs.Our OEM Hewlett Packard can't help me and told me to go to EMC.So Networker is NOT possible to save Windows Storage Servers with activated SIS-Technology.By the way the Windows Home Server uses the same SIS Technology. The Microsoft Systems Management Server uses the same SIS Technology...Best regards.Dominik Bamberger

DavidHampson · Answer

Sad to see EMC still passing the buck, even after it has been around and has been passed back to them again... My recommendation would be to tell them you will not be paying until it works, its a surprising consistent fix for bad support...

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