About protecting the preferred replica in a SQL Server availability group (legacy backup policies)
This topic describes how to protect the preferred replica in a SQL Server availability group (AG).
Note the following when you configure a NetBackup policy to protect the preferred replica:
In the backup batch file that you create use the PREFERREDREPLICA TRUE keyword, which honors your SQL Server backup preferences. These preferences include the preferred replica, backup priority, and excluded replicas. Include this keyword in each backup operation in the batch file.
NetBackup backs up the preferred replica, as determined by SQL Server. NetBackup can only fully protect the AG environment if the backup policy includes each node in the AG in the list. Also, all batch files in the list must exist on all the AG nodes.
Review the information on support and limitations for AGs.
See About using NetBackup to protect SQL Server availability groups.
Note:
Perform the following configuration steps after you create the SQL Server availability group.
Table: About protecting the preferred replica in a SQL Server availability group
Step | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
Step 1 | Verify that you have a supported SQL Server configuration. | |
Step 2 | On each node in the availability group, install the NetBackup client. | |
Step 3 | On each node in the availability group, configure the NetBackup services. | See Configuring the NetBackup services for SQL Server backups and restores . |
Step 4 | Configure the mappings for distributed application restores. | Map the WSFC (Windows Server Failover Cluster) name to each AG node. If you have an AG with a FCI, you must configure additional mappings. Configure these mappings in the Distributed Application Restore Mapping host property on the master server. See Configuring mappings for restores of a distributed application, cluster, or virtual machine . |
Step 5 | Review the auto-discovered mappings for the hosts in your environment. | Approve each valid that NetBackup discovers in your environment. Perform this configuration in the properties on the master server. See Reviewing the auto-discovered mappings in Host Management. |
Step 6 | Create a policy for each type of backup you want to perform. | |
Step 7 | On each node in the availability group, create a batch file for each type of backup that you want to perform. | See Creating batch files for the policy that protects the preferred replica. |
Step 8 | Add the batch files to the policies that you created. | See Adding the batch files to the policy that protects the preferred replica. |