We're in the process of designing a 2 node sql cluster for a client. I want
to know the best way to backup/restore the cluster using Veritas Backup Exec
9.1 or 10.0. I've installed the remote agent to the cluster with no
problem. I'm using a dedicated management pc that is not a node in the
cluster to backup the cluster and the sql component. We have the sql agent
installed in backup exec as well as the remote server agent. The management
server has an IBM autoloader so there is more than enough storage to backup
the SAN/cluster config.

The only issue I'm trying to come to grips with is backing up the
quorum/cluster config as well as creating a method to restore it. I can see
the drives I created in the virtual cluster for the sql trans and data as
well as the drive I dedicated to the quorum. My question is backing up the
data on the virtual cluster drives using the remote agent enough to restore
the cluster?

So far my backup strategy is this:
Backup virtual server\drives
Backup system state or both nodes in cluster
Backup virtual sql server with backup exec agent

I'd like input as to the ability to restore the cluster in the event of a
failure or the quorum.

Thanks
Shawn

Here is what we do. Granted, I'm a SQL DBA hack, but Geoff is the man and
will correct/add to anything I screw up.

We do everything you do, expect we also have a SQL Maintenance Plans that
backup the DB's to a shared disk.

Now to restore, you have options. For single DB, you can use the tape or HD
backup. To restore the whole cluster you can use the Cluster Recovery Tool
with your Veritas backup. The books online have information completing a
restore.

Cheers,

Rod

MVP - Windows Server - Clustering
http://www.nw-america.com - Clustering
http://www.msmvps.com/clustering - Blog

"Shawn Winters" <swinters (AT) clientsfirst-us (DOT) com> wrote

Rodney has it right, but I want to expand on his comments a little. First,
backup to a UNC share using the native SQL backup tools. If you have a large
amount of data, you may want to look at a backup compression tool such as
SQLLiteSpeed or sqlSafe. Overwrite your full backups each time. Use your
Veritas system without a SQL agent to provide backup history and archiving
by backing up the on-disk database backups. As you build and work with such
a system, you wil start seeing several advantages. One important piece of
th epuzzle is to have a place to restore the tapes to without overwriting
your regular backup files.

Geoff N. Hiten
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Senior Database Administrator

"Rodney R. Fournier [MVP]" <rod (AT) die (DOT) spam.die.nw-america.com> wrote in
message news:eCwVUwdKFHA.3640 (AT) TK2MSFTNGP12 (DOT) phx.gbl...

Guys, thanks for the info. I've been out of the office at client sites all
this week so I'll give your suggestions a test. I appreciate all the help.

Rod, what IRQ does the floppy drive use?....... You posed this question to
me @ the partner conference in your SBS class. How's everything going?

Thanks
Shawn
"Geoff N. Hiten" <sqlcraftsman (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote

LOL! Would it be 6? Things are good, very good.

I will be speaking/attending the WWPC & Tech Ed this year. Look me up!

Cheers,

Rod

MVP - Windows Server - Clustering
http://www.nw-america.com - Clustering
http://www.msmvps.com/clustering - Blog

"Shawn Winters" <swinters (AT) clientsfirst-us (DOT) com> wrote