Backup Open Files (VSS) trigger SQL Server 2008 Backup

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bert
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:20 am

Backup Open Files (VSS) trigger SQL Server 2008 Backup

Post by bert »

HI,

As this is my first post I want to recognise Backup4All as a great product. Kudos to the developers.

I have an issue related to running Backu4All on Windows Server 2008 R2 (I guess the issue would be present on Windows 7 as well). SQL Server 2008 is used also used.
I use Backup4All version 4.3 build 175.

I have a scheduled backup job that backs up standard SQL backup files (.bak and .trn) from a directory and adds the backup to another directory. This is scheduled to run after the standard SQL Server backup.
So for all intents and purposes this is a file system backup.

I have got the flag "Backup open files" set. My understanding is that this will use the Volume Shadow Copy (VSS) service.

Now what happens is that at the start of the backup a full SQL Server backup is also triggered (possibly by VSS) so all my databases are once again backed up (or rather trying to be backed up). It seems like VSS is directing the SQL backup to a virtual disk which seems to be somewhat related to Backup4All. In reality nothing is backed up and the SQL log shows no errors but all databases have a flag saying they were backed up.

I found a post on the Microsoft forums regarding the same issue but using ntbackup: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums ... 10fe925f65

The SQL server log contains the following entry which shows the master database but the log contains entries for all databases on the server:

"Database backed up. Database: master, creation date(time): 2010/01/12(11:40:38), pages dumped: 380, first LSN: 215:136:109, last LSN: 215:192:1, number of dump devices: 1, device information: (FILE=1, TYPE=VIRTUAL_DEVICE: {'{3CB1CB5C-0E46-42EB-9E01-E410EFC54189}6'}). This is an informational message only. No user action is required."

I was wondering if this issue is known to Backup4All and if there's a fix or some other advice available?

Thanks
Bert

Adrian (Softland)
Posts: 1914
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:46 pm

Re: Backup Open Files (VSS) trigger SQL Server 2008 Backup

Post by Adrian (Softland) »

Hi,

Please send us the last backup log from View->Job Logs->Last backup log, to support[at]backup4all[dot]com
Do you know you can monitor your backups remotely with Backup4all Monitor? You can read more here: https://www.backup4all.com/backup4all-monitor.html

Adrian (Softland)
Posts: 1914
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:46 pm

Re: Backup Open Files (VSS) trigger SQL Server 2008 Backup

Post by Adrian (Softland) »

Hi,

As we can see from the log file, the problem appeared when trying to back up an SQL server.
Please read this article about how to back up the MS SQL Server data:
http://www.backup4all.com/kb/backup-ms- ... a-120.html
Do you know you can monitor your backups remotely with Backup4all Monitor? You can read more here: https://www.backup4all.com/backup4all-monitor.html

bert
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:20 am

Re: Backup Open Files (VSS) trigger SQL Server 2008 Backup

Post by bert »

Thanks for your reply,

The issue has nothing to do with backing up SQL Server, I know how to do that.

To quote my original post: "I have a scheduled backup job that backs up standard SQL backup files (.bak and .trn) from a directory and adds the backup to another directory. This is scheduled to run after the standard SQL Server backup.
So for all intents and purposes this is a file system backup."

The log file I sent shows a backup from a folder that contains backup files created by the standard SQL Server backup. It's not backing up SQL Server Data or Log files, in fact SQL Server has nothing to do with this.

The issue I have is that when I use Backup4All to backup these files using the "Backup Open Files" option (which I believe uses VSS behind the scenes) an SQL Server Backup is automatically triggered - And I don't want that! To me it seems that VSS triggers this unwanted backup. I also provided Windows event log records that documents the triggered backup. The backup is not triggered if I turn off "Backup Open Files" I just use it as it was the default and if for some reason these backup files are open.

This issue was also discussed in regards to ntbackup in the link I provided in my original post.

Please advise further.

Regards
Bert

Adrian (Softland)
Posts: 1914
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:46 pm

Re: Backup Open Files (VSS) trigger SQL Server 2008 Backup

Post by Adrian (Softland) »

Hi,

We had no previous similar situations. The shadow copy is automatically initiated when the backup starts, no matter if there are or not open files. Only if you disable the "Backup open files" option, the shadow copy is not used.

If the backup correctly performed and all files included if you disable the "Backup open files" option?
Do you know you can monitor your backups remotely with Backup4all Monitor? You can read more here: https://www.backup4all.com/backup4all-monitor.html

bert
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:20 am

Re: Backup Open Files (VSS) trigger SQL Server 2008 Backup

Post by bert »

Thanks for your reply,

It works fine if I disable "Backup Open Files" no "extra" SQL Server backup is triggered.

The actual backup also works fine when open files is enabled, it's just this triggering of a totally unnecessary SQL Server backup that doesn't seem to do anything expect starting, I can't find any files that are created by the "extra" backup.

Regards
Bert

mac

Re: Backup Open Files (VSS) trigger SQL Server 2008 Backup

Post by mac »

I have exactly the same problem, but I can't disable "Backup Open Files" option...
I use it use on a Windows Server 2008 R2 with SQL Server 2008 installed on it. BUT I don't want to backup db file, I just backup IIS Web site folder.

When the Vitual shadow copy is create it trigger a backup of all the SQLServer databases.

I need help on this... thanks

Adrian (Softland)
Posts: 1914
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:46 pm

Re: Backup Open Files (VSS) trigger SQL Server 2008 Backup

Post by Adrian (Softland) »

Hi,

We will fix that problem. It is on our To-Do list, but I cannot give you an exact date when it will be fixed.
We have other more important features we work on this moment.
Do you know you can monitor your backups remotely with Backup4all Monitor? You can read more here: https://www.backup4all.com/backup4all-monitor.html

Adrian (Softland)
Posts: 1914
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:46 pm

Re: Backup Open Files (VSS) trigger SQL Server 2008 Backup

Post by Adrian (Softland) »

Hi,

We fixed the problem in the new build 213. Please download it from our website.
Do you know you can monitor your backups remotely with Backup4all Monitor? You can read more here: https://www.backup4all.com/backup4all-monitor.html

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