NetBackup™ for Microsoft SQL Server Administrator's Guide

To configure a policy for Instant Recovery

1. For batch file-based policies, create a backup script using the NetBackup MS SQL Client interface.
2. Open the NetBackup web UI.
3. Create a policy.
4. Select the Attributes tab.
5. From the Policy type list, select MS-SQL-Server.
6. Select the Policy storage.

   If you select an Instant Recovery option on the Schedules tab (see step 11), the storage unit is not used. NetBackup creates only a disk snapshot.

   If database differentials, filegroup differentials, or transaction logs are included in the policy, then NetBackup performs a stream-based backup. This backup uses the selected storage unit. If a storage unit is not provided, then NetBackup uses the default storage unit for the server.

7. Select Perform snapshot backups.
8. Choose to have NetBackup select the snapshot method or select the snapshot method manually.

   • By default, NetBackup chooses a snapshot method for you.

   • To use a specific snapshot method, select Snapshot options. Then select the method from the Snapshot method list.

9. Select Retain snapshots for Instant Recovery.

   NetBackup retains the snapshot on disk, so that Instant Recovery can be performed from the snapshot.

   A normal backup to storage is also performed, if you do not choose to create a snapshot only (see step 11).

10. On the Instances and databases tab, choose how you want to protect SQL Server:

    • (SQL Server Intelligent Policy) Choose Protect instances and databases or Protect instance groups.

      See Add instance groups to a backup policy.

    • (Batch-file based policies) Choose Clients for use with batch files.

11. To configure schedules, select the Schedules tab.

    • (SQL Server Intelligent Policies) Configure a full backup schedule.

    • (Legacy policies) Follow the instructions to configure an Application and a full backup schedule.

    For snapshot backup policies, a full backup schedule must exist for NetBackup to successfully convert differential backups to full backups.

12. (Optional) To create a disk image only, open the Full backup schedule (Intelligent Policies) or the Application schedule (batch file-based policies) and select an Instant Recovery option.

    Select one of the following options:

    • If Snapshots and copy snapshots to a storage unit is selected, NetBackup creates a disk snapshot. NetBackup also backs up the client's data to the storage unit that is specified for the policy.

    • If Snapshots only is selected, the image is not backed up to tape or to other storage. NetBackup creates a disk snapshot only. Note that this disk snapshot is not considered a replacement for traditional backup.

13. (SQL Server Intelligent Policy) Add other policy information as follows:

    • (Optional) Select the specific filegroups or files that you want to back up. By default, NetBackup backs up an entire database.

    • (Optional) Make changes to any tuning parameters.

      See Performance tuning and configuration options.

14. (Batch-file-based policies) Add other policy information as follows:

    • Add clients.

    • Add batch files to the backup selections list.

15. Select Create to save the policy.