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Druva Documentation

Backup and restore FAQs

 

Common backup and restore FAQs 

 
► How does the Druva deduplication algorithm work?
Druva uses a deduplication technique that makes use of a variable block sizing technique based on file type to determine globally duplicated data across all your servers. The Hybrid Workloads agent only transfers unique blocks of data to the cloud. This ensures massive bandwidth savings of up to 90% in many cases.
► Where is my data backed up?
Druva backs up your data in the cloud hosted by Amazon. Druva relies on the robustness and the security standards of Amazon Web Services to ensure that your backup data stays safe and secure. 
► What happens if my server loses connectivity?
Druva is designed to work efficiently even for organizations with intermittent connectivity.  If Hybrid Workloads agents cannot reach Druva Cloud, backups or restores stop temporarily. When connectivity resumes, backups or restores start again. A single backup can, therefore, span across multiple backup windows. 
► What are recovery points? 
A recovery point is a point-in-time image of your backup data. To know the type of recovery points that Druva supports, see Common terms
► My server is not operational. I want to replace it with another one. Can I? 
Druva retains the data from your server that is not operational. You can restore the data to another server. 
► I deprecate servers every 3 years. Can I configure new servers in their place?
Yes, you can. Druva retains data from the servers that you deprecate. To set up new servers in their place, restore the data from the deprecated servers to the new servers. 
► I want to back up secondary servers only if the primary server fails. Can I do this? 
No, you cannot. However, you can create backup sets to back up the content from your secondary servers and your tertiary servers. Druva will back up data from your primary, secondary, and tertiary servers according to the schedule defined in the backup policy. 
► Can I specify a bandwidth for backup?
Yes, you can specify the bandwidth limitation for backup.
► Can I specify a bandwidth for restore?
No, you cannot specify the bandwidth limitation for restore. 
► What happens to my data after my contract expires?
After the expiration of your contract, Druva does not back up your servers. However, your data is retained on the cloud. You can choose to extend your contract, and then perform a restore of the data.
► Can I export Druva data?
No, you cannot export Druva data. However, you can choose to restore data to the server to which it belongs, or a new server. 
► How many backup retries does Druva perform?
By default, Druva performs two retries with a 10-minute interval between the two attempts. 
► Can I perform a restore to a server in another organization under Druva?
Organizations in Druva are independent entities by design. Druva does not have a functionality that allows inter-Organizational restore. 

File server backup and restore FAQs

► What type of backups does Druva perform on File servers?
The first backup of your servers is a full backup. Thereafter, Druva performs an incremental backup of all File servers.
► How do I configure my File servers for backup?
Getting your File servers ready for backup is simple. For more information about how to configure File servers for backup, see Configure Druva to back up File servers
► What do I need to know before performing a configuration of my File servers?
Before configuring your File servers, we recommend that you read File server configuration checklist. The checklist should help you perform a configuration that is best-suited for your environment.
► What does Druva back up?
Druva provides support for several file types, out-of-the-box. To see the full list of files that Druva backs up, see Default file types for backup.
► What does Druva exclude from backup?
By default, Druva excludes some file types from backup. To see the full list of files that Druva excludes, see Default folder exclusions.
► How do I back up or restore my data?
To know how to back up your File servers, see Back up servers. To know how to restore your File servers, see Restore a File server.
► How does Druva back up or restore my file server data?
To understand the workflow at the time of backup, see File server backup workflow.
To know how Druva restores your File server data, see File server restore workflow.
► What happens if the Active Directory domain of a File server is changed after the server is backed up?
Druva continues to back up the File server as the 'Deviceid' of the server remains the same.

Note: The other changed AD domain should have '*.druva.com' allowed in gateway/firewall for the outgoing traffic.

SQL server backup and restore FAQs

After the Hybrid Workloads agent is upgraded from older clients to version 4.7.1 or later, what happens to my existing backup sets?
After you upgrade the client, 
  • The MS-SQL backup sets configured to back up all instances in the content rule are auto-disabled.
  • Hybrid Workloads agent discovers the existing instances on the server.
  • Druva creates a new backup set for each instance present on the physical server.  All the newly created backup sets have the same policy and same content rule as that of the earlier backup set for the All instances.
  • Druva allows you to restore data from the All instances MS-SQL backup sets. If you have backup sets on the older clients, which were created for a particular instance, backups for those backup sets run without any change.
  • If you do not upgrade from the older clients to 4.7.1 or later, backup jobs for the existing MS-SQL backup set will continue to run as configured. However, you will not be able to create new SQL backup set with Druva client versions older than 4.7.1. 
► What type of backups does Druva perform on SQL servers?
The first backup of your servers is a full backup. Thereafter, Druva performs an incremental backup. Additionally, Druva also supports differential backups of SQL servers. To know more, see Common terms.
► How do I configure my SQL servers for backup?
To know how you can configure SQL servers for backup, see Introduction to Druva for SQL servers
► What do I need to know before performing a configuration of my SQL servers?
Before configuring your SQL servers, we recommend that you read SQL server prerequisites and limitations. The checklist should help you perform a configuration that is best-suited for your environment.
► What does Druva back up?
Druva provides support for backup of MDF, NDF, and LDF files. 
► How do I back up or restore my data?
To know how to back up your SQL servers, see Back up servers . To know how to restore SQL servers, see SQL server restore
► How does Druva back up or restore my SQL server data?
To understand the workflow at the time of backup, see full backup, differential backup, and log backup.
To know how Druva restores your file server data, see SQL server restore.
► Unable to configure backup set with the following error "Current Backupset won't be configured as some instances are overlapped in another backupset configuration"?
For MS-SQL server, you can create backup set either for "All instances" or "individual instances". If you have created backup set for "All instances", then Druva does not allow you to create backup set for individual instances. Similarly, if you have created backup set for individual instances, then Druva does not allow you to create backup set for All instances. However, if you have created backup set for All instances and the backup set is disabled, Druva allows you to create backup set for individual instances.
► Why can't I see my instances listed under the Protect > MS-SQL Servers > Instances/AGs tab?
The details of the existing MS-SQL backup sets can be found on the Protect > Windows/Linux Servers > All Servers > servers_name page > SQL Backup Sets tab. To view the available instances and AGs along with their configured backup sets, upgrade the Hybrid Workloads agent to the version 4.7.1 or later.
► Unable to create MS-SQL backup sets for Hybrid Workloads agents older than version 4.7.1.
You cannot create MS-SQL backup sets for Hybrid Workloads agents older than version 4.7.1. However, backups for the old backup sets continue to run as configured.
► Can Druva discover the running MS-SQL instances and AGs on Hybrid Workloads agents older than version 4.7.1?
No. Druva cannot discover MS-SQL instances and AGs running on the server installed with an agent older than version 4.7.1.
► Why do I see additional backup sets created post-upgrade of the Hybrid Workloads agent to version 4.7.1?
Druva creates a new backup set for each instance present on the physical server. All the newly created backup sets have the same backup policy and same content rule as that of the earlier backup sets for All instances.
How many backup sets can I configure on my MS-SQL server?
The maximum number of backup sets that you can configure on the MS-SQL server depends on the number of the instances existing on that server. You can create one backup set per instance.
For MS-SQL server, you can create backup set either for "All instances" or "individual instances". If you have created a backup set for "All instances", then Druva does not allow you to create a backup set for individual instances. Similarly, if you have created a backup set for individual instances, then Druva does not allow you to create a backup set for All instances. However, if you have created a backup set for All instances and the backup set is disabled, Druva allows you to create a backup set for individual instances.
► What do I do if the SQL server transaction log backup fails with VSS1 error?
Check whether you have SQL standalone or SQL FCI installation done. In case you have SQL FCI, upgrade to build 4.7.1 or later and follow setup instructions as described in Configure Druva for the backup of databases in SQL Failover Cluster Instance (FCI).

► My database files are stored on a Cluster Shared Volume, so the default Microsoft Shadow Copy Provider cannot take a recovery point of these files. How do I make the Hybrid Workloads agent use the Microsoft CSV Shadow Copy Provider?
  1. From the command prompt, run the following command:
    vssadmin list providers

    Running this command displays a list of VSS providers, and the provider IDs. Copy the Microsoft CSV Shadow Copy Provider ID. 

  2. Stop the Hybrid Workloads agent service. 
  3. Open the Phoenix.cfg file in a text editor. The Phoenix.cfg file is available at the following location on Windows Server 2012 and 2008: C:\ProgramData\Phoenix
  4. Add the VSS_PROVIDER_ID parameter, and set its value to match the Microsoft CSV Shadow Copy Provider ID you obtained in the first step. 
    Use the following format to add the Microsoft CSV Shadow Copy Provider ID: 
    VSS_PROVIDER_ID = '<Provider ID>'
    For example:
    VSS_PROVIDER_ID = '{b5946137-7b9f-4925-af80-51abd60b20d5}'
    
  5. Save the Phoenix.cfg file.
  6. Start the Hybrid Workloads agent service. 

VMware backup and restore FAQs

► What types of backups does Druva perform on virtual machines?
The first backup of your virtual machines is a full backup. Thereafter, Druva performs an incremental backup of your virtual machines. To know more, see Common terms.
► How do I configure my VMware Infrastructure for backup?
To know how you can configure your VMware Infrastructure for backup, see Initial configuration of your VMware setup
► What does Druva back up from my virtual machines?
Druva backs up VMDK and VMX files. However, only VMDK files are available for restore.  
► What are VMware limitations to backup virtual machines?
To know the VMware limitations, see VMware limitations to backup virtual machines.
► How do I back up or restore my virtual machines?
To know how to backup and restore your virtual machines, see Backup and restore virtual machines.
► How does Druva back up or restore my virtual machines?
To understand the workflow at the time of backup, see Virtual machine backup workflow.
To know how Druva restores your virtual machines, see Virtual machine restore workflow.
► At the time of configuring virtual machines for backup, how do I select the virtual disks I want to exclude?
To exclude virtual disks, you can either:
  • Provide the entire path to the virtual disk.  For example [datastore] virtual_machine_name/folder/virtual_disk.vmdk
  • Use a wildcard character

Note: To exclude a virtual disk, Druva recommends that you copy the virtual disk name or path from the vSphere Web client. We recommend you to copy the path to the Notepad to remove any formatting or special characters and ensure that there is no space at the beginning and at the end. Space is important between [Datastore] and the name.

Following examples describe how you can use a wildcard character to exclude virtual disks that contain a string:

  • To exclude a virtual disk that contains the string test at the end of the path to its location, enter *test 
  • To exclude a virtual disk that contains test at the beginning of its path to its location, enter test*
  • To exclude a virtual disk that contains test in the middle of the path to its location, enter *test*
  • To exclude virtual machines in a folder whose name contains the string test at the end, provide the path of the folder and then use the wildcard character. For example, [datastore] virtual_machine_name/folder/*test

To get the virtual disk name or path:

  1. Connect to the vCenter using the flash-based (flex) vSphere web client.
  2. On the web client, select VMs and Templates.
  3. From the left pane, select and right-click on the virtual machine and then click Edit Settings. The virtual disks are listed under the Virtual Hardware tab. 
  4. Click on a virtual disk to see its details.
  5. Copy the path to the virtual disk from the Disk File field.  

Note: Flash-based vSphere  web client may not be available for certain vCenter versions. It is possible that the path to the virtual disk you get from the vSphere web client is different from the path that the Druva backup proxy gets from the hypervisor. In such a case, the virtual disk is not excluded from backup.  

► How do I backup my VMware vCenter Server Appliance?
Druva backs up the VMware vCenter Server Appliance as a normal virtual machine. However, it is recommended to set up a backup schedule for the appliance when no other virtual machine backups are running.
► What happens to the recovery points created by Druva for an unsuccessful or canceled backup job? 
From backup proxy version 4.6.9-27918 and later, the recovery points created by Druva for a canceled or unsuccessful job will be deleted during the subsequent Backup Now or schedule backup job.

► I am performing a file-level restore on a virtual machine. The guest operating system on the virtual machine requires authentication. How do I know that Druva protects VMware or guest OS credentials?
When Druva performs a file-level restore on a virtual machine that requires guest OS credentials, VMware API is used to copy the file to the virtual machine. The credentials used to login to the virtual machine are encrypted at the time of use, and are deleted after the restore is complete. Druva does not store the credentials. 

► I just backed up a virtual machine. Can I immediately perform a file-level restore or should I wait for some time?
You can immediately perform a file-level restore after the backup job is complete. Your data is available for restore and use as soon as Druva completes a backup job.

►How does Druva backup proxy handle hiberfil.sys and pagefile.sys on Windows virtual machines?

If the Druva backup proxy is backing up a Windows virtual machine with NTFS as its file system, Druva  creates compressed backups of pagefile.sys and hiberfil.sys files to save on Cloud storage. For example, if the combined size of the files is 8 GB, Druva creates compressed backups of the files that consume only a few bytes on the Cloud storage. In addition, Druva applies deduplication to even further save on Cloud storage. To let the Druva backup proxy back up the entire hiberfil.sys and pagefile.sys as is, set VMWARE_EXCLUDE_FILTER to False in the Phoenix.cfg file.


►How to back up a powered-off virtual machine?
If you have configured an application-aware backup of the virtual machine, the backup completes successfully with errors, and the virtual machine is successfully backed up. However, Druva skips the database-level backup. See article.

If the powered-off virtual machine is configured without enabling the application-aware processing setting in the backup policy, Druva performs a successful backup.