About using NetBackup to protect SQL Server availability groups
NetBackup for SQL Server supports backups and restores of SQL Server AlwaysOn Availability Group databases. For information on supported versions and environments, see the Application/Database Agent Compatibility List.
Note the following when you configure and run backup policies for availability groups (AGs):
NetBackup supports backups of AGs with legacy backup policies (with the option Clients for use with batch files). Intelligent Policies do not support AG backups at this time.
You can protect an AG environment in the following ways:
With a policy that protects the preferred replica.
See About protecting the preferred replica in a SQL Server availability group (legacy backup policies).
With a policy that protects a specific node in the AG.
See About protecting a specific node in a SQL Server availability group (legacy backup policies).
If an AG crosses multiple NetBackup domains, back up a single node in the AG that is dedicated for backups. You can then use Auto Image Replication (A.I.R.) to replicate the backup to the other NetBackup domains. Veritas does not recommend the use of the PREFERREDREPLICA keyword in your batch files in this scenario.
See Configuring SQL Server backups when an availability group crosses NetBackup domains.
See About protecting a specific node in a SQL Server availability group (legacy backup policies).
NetBackup supports backups of AGs in multi-NIC environments. For more information, see the following topic:
See About configuration of SQL Server backups with multiple NICs.
The timestamp for AG backup images reflects Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).