Virtual server R2 sp1 and ntbackup

[Guest Jeff S.]

On the Virtual server host I schedule NTbackups for the guests. I do not

shutdown or save the state on the virtual guests as I thought SP1 supports

this method of guest backups.

 

The ntbackup job backs up the folders where the *.vhd, *.vnc and *.vsv files

are located. The ntbackup jobs finish successfully, however I get the

following message in the virtual server event viewer when the ntbackup begins:

 

The VSS writer failed to get the properties of the virtual machine "virtual

machine name". The virtual machine is allowed for Offline backup only.

 

I noticed that this message only occurs for 2003 guests, the 2000 guests do

not produce this message.

 

Can I feel confident with these backups or should I go back to shutting down

the servers before I back them up?

 

Thanks Jeff

[Guest Coraleigh Miller]

Re: Virtual server R2 sp1 and ntbackup

 

Hi Jeff,

 

Virtual Server 2003 SP1 does allow VSS backups but your backup software also

must be able to support this, and i do not beleive that NTbackup does.

Research other backup products which will allow online virtual backups, such

as Microsoft Data Protection Manager.

http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/dpm/default.mspx

...or you should shut them down to backup.

 

Coraleigh Miller

 

 

 

"Jeff S." <JeffS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:758AE8E0-65FA-4FBC-8162-20A3A8385B17@microsoft.com...

> On the Virtual server host I schedule NTbackups for the guests. I do not

> shutdown or save the state on the virtual guests as I thought SP1 supports

> this method of guest backups.

>

> The ntbackup job backs up the folders where the *.vhd, *.vnc and *.vsv

> files

> are located. The ntbackup jobs finish successfully, however I get the

> following message in the virtual server event viewer when the ntbackup

> begins:

>

> The VSS writer failed to get the properties of the virtual machine

> "virtual

> machine name". The virtual machine is allowed for Offline backup only.

>

> I noticed that this message only occurs for 2003 guests, the 2000 guests

> do

> not produce this message.

>

> Can I feel confident with these backups or should I go back to shutting

> down

> the servers before I back them up?

>

> Thanks Jeff