How Backup Exec protects Microsoft Exchange, SQL, and Active Directory data on virtual machines

Backup Exec can restore individual items from the following VSS-aware applications that reside on virtual machines:

Table: Types of data that Backup Exec protects for VSS-aware applications on virtual machines

Application

Types of data that Backup Exec protects

Microsoft Exchange

Mailboxes, individual messages, calendar items, tasks, journal entries, and public folder data (disk-backups only)

Microsoft SQL

Databases

Microsoft Active Directory

Individual user accounts, printer objects, sites, and organizational units

When you create a backup job, Backup Exec automatically locates VSS-aware applications on virtual machines. During the backup job, Backup Exec backs up the data from the VSS-aware applications by using Granular Recovery Technology (GRT). By default, Backup Exec enables GRT using the same credentials that were used to connect to the virtual machine. You can disable GRT for any of the VSS-aware application types.

Note:

If you enable or disable GRT for Microsoft Exchange, SQL, or Active Directory, the setting applies to both VMware virtual machines and Hyper-V virtual machines. If you do not want to use the same settings, Symantec recommends that you set up separate backup jobs for each type of virtual machine.

Note:

Backup Exec supports the granular recovery of individual Exchange and SQL items only in non-clustered and non-distributed configurations.

During the backup job, Backup Exec collects metadata for the applications. If Backup Exec is unable to collect the metadata, then you cannot restore individual items for the applications. However, the backup job may otherwise complete successfully.

Backup Exec cannot collect metadata in the following situations:

  • GRT is disabled for an application.

  • Backup Exec cannot connect to the virtual machine.

  • Incorrect credentials were entered for the virtual machine.

Note:

Backup Exec uses the Microsoft Hyper-V writer during backups of VSS-aware applications on virtual machines. The Microsoft Hyper-V writer truncates application logs before data is moved to the storage device. Therefore, the application logs for the applications on the virtual machines are truncated if you use Microsoft Hyper-V.

More Information

Requirements for protecting Microsoft Exchange, SQL, and Active Directory data on virtual machines

How Backup Exec protects Microsoft Exchange, SQL, and Active Directory data on virtual machines