To create a protection plan to protect SQL Server assets

1. On the left, click Protection > Protection plans and then click Add.
2. In Basic properties, enter a Name, Description, and select Microsoft SQL Server from the Workload list.

   (Optional) Add a policy name prefix. NetBackup automatically creates a policy when a user subscribes assets to a protection plan; NetBackup appends this prefix to that policy name.

3. In Schedules and retention, click Add.

   You can select the frequency and the retention backup. You can set up the following backup schedules: Full, Differential incremental, or Transaction log.

   In the Attributes tab:

   • Select the Backup type, how often it runs, and how long to keep the backup for this schedule.

   In the Start window tab:

   • Define a Start day, Start time, End day, and End time for this schedule using the options available on the screen. Or you can drag your cursor over the time boxes to create the schedule.

   • Use the options on the right to duplicate, remove, or undo changes to a schedule.

   Click Save after all options are selected in the Attributes and the Start window tabs.

   Review the Backup schedule preview window and verify that all schedules are set correctly.

4. In Storage options, configure the storage type per schedule you configured in step 3.

   The options vary depending on storage options currently setup to work with NetBackup.

   A protection plan can only use the storage that a NetBackup 8.1.2 or newer media server can access.

   Storage option	Requirements	Description
   Perform snapshot backups		Performs a point-in-time, read-only, disk-based copy of a client volume. NetBackup backs up data from the snapshot, not directly from the client's primary or original volume. Snapshots cannot be used to perform differential backups or transaction log backups. In those cases NetBackup performs a stream-based backup. You can select from the following methods: Automatic, VxVM, or VSS. See Snapshot methods. Note that SQL Server dynamic file allocation can reduce the likelihood that any of the component files contain large areas of empty space.
   Backup storage	OpenStorage is required for this option. A tape, storage unit groups, and Replication Director are not supported.	Click Edit to select the storage target. Click Use selected storage after selecting the storage target.
   Transaction log options		When you configure a transaction log schedule, you can choose to use the same storage that is used for database backups. Or, you can choose a unique storage for transaction logs.

5. In Backup options, configure the options that you want.

   See Performance tuning and configuration options.

   Click the Database options tab to select options for databases. Click the Transaction log options tab to select options for transaction logs.

   

   Note: For availability groups, ensure that you select a Availability database backup preference setting for databases and for transaction logs.

6. In Permissions, review the roles that have access to the protection plan.

   To give another role access to this protection plan, click Add. Select the Role in the table and customize the role by adding or removing permissions in the Select permissions section.

7. In Review, verify that the protection plan details are correct and click Save.
8. You can now select the protection plan for your SQL Server assets.

   • On the left, click Workloads > Microsoft SQL Server.

   • Select the instances, availability groups, or databases that you want to protect.

   • Click Add protection.

   • Select the protection plan that you created.