What directories should be excluded? MS SQL File System Backup / Cluster

To backup _everything_ you usually don't exclude anything. Excluding something now may turn after to be something missing unless you know you don't need it - SQL admin is right person to ask that.

Since you will use file system backup of backup files created from SQL itself you need to make sure your schedule doesn't run before that backup is done.

Since this is going to be live database the only thing you could exclude are those open files (databases & logs?). To do that write down a directive, but confirm with dba what exactly should be excluded as it will covered by SQL backup. That's what you can exclude in NetWorker. What to exclude in SQL (and that was your question) I have no idea, but here are few links for basics (but again your SQL admin should know this):

http://www.devx.com/getHelpOn/10MinuteSolution/16507/1954?pf=true
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/829024/en-us
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/2000/maintain/sqlops0.mspx

Last two links are pointing to Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Operations which is very good reading for SQL in general. Backup&restore section is covered in chapter IV.

That's a good question! I also did much research, including engaging with Legato, but no-one would make a definitive recommendation.

So for my customers I use the following simple directive.
If you you use this as a global directive it will skip the SQL database files anywhere, Obviously you may want to make it a little more specific.

AND I agree it is always good practice (and politics) to involve your DBA in the setup. Also check with them the scheduling on the other DB maintenance tasks (integrity checks, space reclamation, virus scan etc) to ensure they don't clash with the backup

SQL Directive
Skip .mdf & .ldf anywhere
<>
+skip: *.mdf *.ldf

Good Luck
John

You can refer below topic. I think this is related to your problem. :smileyhappy: .

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/configure-windows/configure-file-system-permissions-for-database-engine-access?view=sql-server-2017