Using Backup Software That Supports VSS

Published : September 27, 2005

If your backup software supports VSS, you can back up data directly from the replicas at Program Files\Microsoft Data Protection Manager\DPM\Volumes\Replica; however, you must ensure that the software does not modify data on the replica volumes. Consult the documentation for your backup software or contact the vendor to determine the backup types for that software that will not modify data on the replica volumes. For example, if you are using Windows Backup to archive data, use only the “copy” backup type.

You must back up the database and transaction log files for both the DPM database and the Report database. The following procedures provide general instructions for archiving DPM databases and replicas when using backup software that does not support DPM but does support VSS. For instructions about how to use the backup software, see the documentation for the backup software.

To back up databases by using backup software that supports VSS

  1. In the console tree of the backup program, browse to \Program Files\Microsoft Data Protection Manager\DPM\, and select the DPMDB folder. The file name of the DPM database file is DPMDB2006.mdf. The file name of the transaction log file for this database is DPMDB_log2006.ldf.

  2. In the console tree of the backup program, browse to \Program Files\Microsoft Data Protection Manager\Prerequisites\MSSQL$MICROSOFT$DPM$\, and select the Data folder. The file name of the Report database file will default to ReportServer.mdf. The file name of the transaction log file for this database will default to ReportServer_log.ldf

  3. Select the media to which you want to back up the databases.

  4. Start the backup.

Note

Some VSS-enabled backup software does not have a SQL VSS Requestor for backing up SQL Server databases through the VSS infrastructure and the MSDE VSS Writer. In that situation, use the procedure for backing up databases with non-VSS-enabled backup software.

To back up replicas by using VSS-enabled backup software

  1. In the console tree of the backup program, browse to \Program Files\Microsoft Data Protection Manager\DPM\Volumes\Replica\ on the DPM server.

  2. Select the file server whose replicas you want to archive or the individual protected volumes.

  3. Select the backup type.

    Important

    Consult your backup software documentation or contact the software vendor to determine which backup types will not modify the replica data.

  4. Select the media to which you want to back up the files.

  5. Start the backup.