HP StorageWorks P9000 Replication Manager Software 7.1.1 CLI User Guide (TB584-96032, September 2011)

Using VSS
This section describes requirements and precautions used when VSS is used to back up an Exchange
database.
• The following database products are subject to backup:
• Exchange Server 2003
• Exchange Server 2007
• Exchange Server 2010
• RM Shadow Copy Provider must be installed in advance, on both the database server and the
backup server. If RM Shadow Copy Provider has not been installed on those servers when Applic-
ation Agent is installed, RM Shadow Copy Provider will be installed together with Application
Agent.
• The backup server is required even if data is not backed up to tape. This is because the backup
server imports VS snapshots and verifies the Exchange database.
• If Veritas Snapshot Provider is installed on the database server or backup server where a VSS
backup will be performed, make sure you use version Veritas Snapshot Provider 1.04 or later.
If a VSS backup is executed using version Veritas Snapshot Provider 1.03 or earlier, the volume
to be backed up might be left with Read-Only and Hidden attributes. If this happens, the drive
will not be allocated at system startup and Exchange Server will not operate normally.
If this occurs, release these attributes as described in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 840781.
Note that, to perform the operations described in Knowledge Base Article 840781, you need to
apply the hotfix described in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 831112.
If the OS is Windows Server 2003 SP2 or later, you do not need to apply the hotfix described in
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 840781 and 831112.
• If a system failure or other problem causes a VSS backup to be interrupted, the volume that is the
target of the backup might be left with the Read-Only and Hidden attributes. If these attributes
remain, the drive will not be allocated at system startup, and Exchange Server will not operate
normally. If this occurs, release the attributes as per Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 840781.
Note that, to perform the operations described in Knowledge Base Article 840781, you need to
apply the hotfix described in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 831112.
If the OS is Windows Server 2003 SP2 or later, you do not need to apply the hotfix described in
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 840781 and 831112.
• You can acquire backup or delete transaction logs while Exchange Server is operating. However,
you cannot back up data while Exchange Information Store service is shut down.
• During backup, the database write processing of Exchange Server shuts down for a certain period
(up to 10 seconds). During that period, the database write processing of Exchange Server (such
as sending mail) is suspended. After backup finishes, the database write processing of Exchange
Server is resumed.
• Since the number of log files might increase during backup operations by VSS, when you perform
backup by using VSS, the backup results might contain a log file that has not been recorded in
the catalog.
• Set the environment of Application Agent to use VSS. For details on environment settings required
to use VSS, see “Specifying settings for using VSS” on page 142.
• The Information Stores of the storage group that are to be backed up must all be mounted in ad-
vance.
• When Protection Manager version 4.4 or earlier is used to back up storage groups, the Information
Stores of storage groups to be restored must all be mounted in advance. When Protection Manager
version 5.5 is used, the Information Stores do not need to be mounted in advance in order to be
restored.
Application Agent CLI User Guide 85