Snapshots of SQL databases in VM on Equallogic

Question

Hello!

I just want to know if the the following issue can be solved.
Configuration:
1 Equallogic SAN, 3 VMWare ESX Servers, Backup Server with Autosnapshot Manager VMWare Edition installed.
all VMs use vmdk files (for system and data partitions; no raw device mappings) Equallogic is connected to all ESX Servers via iSCSI.

Problem:
I can use the Autosnapshot Manager for VMWare to take Smart Copies (snapshots) from the VMs this works without any problem. But using these snapshot I cannot restore a single file or a single SQL database from the snapshots.
OK, I can mount it and the restore a file, but this doesn't work with SQL or Exchange.

Is there a way to restore a single Database or a single Mail-item? I allready tried the autosnapshot-manager (Microsoft Edition) but when I install it in a VM it doesn't recognize the disc. This is clear since the databases are in the vmdk files - so the VMs don't see the equallogic.
Is there a way to achieve this? Would it work if I place the databases on discs directly mapped to the VMs?

Thanks in advance

JOHNADCO · Answer

Not sure what backup system you are using...

But being able to put back SQL DB's and / or Exchange DB's and / or an individual email requires special plug-ins and guest runnign backup. Can't be done from host based backup period.

mellerbeck · Answer

' Is there a way to restore a single Database or a single Mail-item? I allready tried the autosnapshot-manager (Microsoft Edition) but when I install it in a VM it doesn't recognize the disc. This is clear since the databases are in the vmdk files - so the VMs don't see the equallogic. Is there a way to achieve this? Would it work if I place the databases on discs directly mapped to the VMs? Thanks in advance ' In order to use autosnapshot-manager ME you will need your DB volume to be attached from within the virtual machine (the individual vm has it's own couple of iSCSI nics\initiators installed with HIT kit) then you will be able to do what you desire. Another alternative is to use something like Veeam which will backup the vmdk as well as allow you to restore DB\exchange etc...

dormi98 · Answer

Thank you very much for your inputs. We finally decided to use Backup Exec with the virtual infrastructure agent to backup the VMs and the applications.

FluidFS

Snapshots of SQL databases in VM on Equallogic

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