Configuring SQL Server backups when an availability group crosses NetBackup domains
This procedure describes how to configure NetBackup to back up SQL Server availability group (AG) backups when the AG crosses NetBackup domains. You configure NetBackup to back up a single node in the AG. Then NetBackup replicates that backup to the other NetBackup domains that protect the other AG nodes.
This procedure assumes that:
One or more nodes in the AG exist in different NetBackup domains.
The following storage is available in the NetBackup source and target domains that contain the nodes of the AG:
For OpenStorage, a disk appliance of the same type in each domain. The disk appliance type must support NetBackup Auto Image Replication (A.I.R.).
For NetBackup deduplication, the storage that NetBackup can use for a Media Server Deduplication Pool in each domain.
See Additional resources. for complete details on storage devices, A.I.R., and how to configure these components.
To configure SQL Server backups when an availability group crosses NetBackup domains
- In each domain where an AG node exists, install and configure a NetBackup master server.
- In each domain, install and configure any media server(s) that you need.
- Establish trust from both domains. See the Security and Encryption Guide for information on how to establish a trust relationship between master servers for Targeted A.I.R.
- Choose a node of the AG (or specific replica) from which you want to take backups.
The backups in this domain act as the source backups; this domain acts as the source domain. The other NetBackup domain acts as the target domain and hosts the target storage for replication operations.
- In each domain, configure a storage server.
To open the Storage Server Configuration Wizard, choose Media and Device Management > Configure Disk Storage Servers.
On the Welcome panel, select the type of disk storage that you want to configure.
Use the wizard to also create a disk pool and storage unit.
- On the master server in the source domain, open the NetBackup Administration Console.
Add the target storage servers.
To perform this configuration, open Media and Device Management > Credentials > Storage Server. Edit the storage server and add the target servers to the Replication tab.
Add the target remote master servers to the list of trusted master servers.
In the host properties for the master server, click the Servers node. On the Trusted Master Servers tab, add the target remote master servers.
- On the master server in each of the target domains, create a storage lifecycle policy (SLP), IMPORT_AG, to import backup images from the source domain.
The Import operation should have the following properties:
Operation
Import
Destination storage
Select the storage unit that you want to use
Retention type
Target Retention
Note that the retention settings in this SLP override the retention settings in the backup policy.
- On the master server of the source domain, create an SLP, EXPORT_AG, to perform a backup and to replicate the backup to the target domains.
The Backup operation should have the following properties:
Operation
Backup
Destination storage
Select the storage unit that you want to use.
Retention type
Fixed
Note that the retention settings in this SLP override the retention settings in the backup policy.
The Replication operation should have the following properties:
Operation
Replication
Send the backups to
A specific Master Server
Target master server
Select the target master server.
Target import SLP
Select the IMPORT_AG SLP that you created in step 7.
- For each master server, edit the SLP parameters in the host properties if necessary.
To configure these parameters, expand Host Properties and select Master Servers. Double-click on the master server you want to edit. Click SLP Parameters.
- On the master server in the source domain, create an MS-SQL-Server backup policy to back up the specific AG node.
For the Policy storage, select the EXPORT_AG SLP that you created in step 8.
Follow the instructions to create a policy for specific node in the AG.
See About protecting a specific node in a SQL Server availability group (legacy backup policies).
NetBackup Administrator's Guide, Volume I