Workflow 4: Run backups (and restore and clone, if needed)

About this task

For SnapCenter 4.1.1 users, the SnapCenter Plug-in for VMware vSphere 4.1.1 documentation has information on protecting virtualized databases and file systems. For SnapCenter 4.2.x users, the NetApp Data Broker 1.0 and 1.0.1, documentation has information on protecting virtualized databases and file systems using the SnapCenter Plug-in for VMware vSphere that is provided by the Linux-based NetApp Data Broker virtual appliance (Open Virtual Appliance format). For SnapCenter 4.3.x users, the SnapCenter Plug-in for VMware vSphere 4.3 documentation has information on protecting virtualized databases and file systems using the Linux-based SnapCenter Plug-in for VMware vSphere virtual appliance (Open Virtual Appliance format).

SnapCenter Plug-in for VMware vSphere Data Protection Guide

The steps in this workflow are condensed and simplified. Details about each step are included in the appropriate documentation.

Concepts

Protecting Microsoft SQL Server databases

Protecting Microsoft Exchange Server databases

Protecting Oracle databases

Protecting SAP HANA databases

Protecting Microsoft Windows file systems

Protecting custom applications

See also the SnapCenter Plug-in for VMware vSphere documentation.

Procedure

Define backup strategy.
Determine which databases or files you want to back up. Also determine when you want backups to occur, how many backup copies you want to retain, how long you want to retain backup copies, and whether you want scripts executed before or after backup operations.
Create or select backup policies.
Policies define the backup type, frequency, retention, and replication.
1. In the SnapCenter GUI, click Settings > Policies > New.
2. Enter the required information on each page of the wizard.
Create resource groups, attach policies, and create schedules.
Resource groups define the resources to be backed up, the policy to be used, and the backup schedule.
1. Click Resources, select a plug-in, then select either Database or File Systems from the View drop-down list.
2. Click New Resource Group, and then enter the required information on each page of the wizard.
Run backups.
Resources in resource groups are automatically backed up according to the policies and schedules that are associated with the resource group. You can also backup individual resources or resource groups on demand.
1. Click Resources, select a plug-in, then select the type of resource from the View drop-down list.
2. Select one or more specific resources to back up, and then enter the required information on each page of the wizard.
If needed, restore backups.
In the event of data loss, you can restore data from one or more backups to your active file system. File system restore operations copy data from a specified backup to the original location of the file system. Database restore operations copy data and logs to a specified database.
If needed, clone backups.
Clone operations create a copy of a backup.