When Amanda is configured and licensed for MS Sharepoint backup, Amanda uses the Microsoft Windows Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) to back up the Sharepoint databases and logs.
Support for Multi-server Microsoft Sharepoint server farm (in other words, index server(s), SQL server(s), front end web server(s) on different servers) is available through Zmanda services.
ZWC backs up and restores MS Sharepoint at database level. ZWC backs up sharepoint data that is stored in the SQL database, such as
Just as with any other type of Windows file system, the ZWC perform performs incremental backups of databases and transaction log files based on modification time. The ZWC does not support transaction log based backup.
Since ZWC supports VSS based backup, Sharepoint backup of individual objects such as Site collection, Web site, List/Document library, Document library folder, Document library file, List item, Version is not supported. Therefore files such as the Sharepoint installation directory, IIS metabase information, Website application pool directory, etc require separate backup set configuration for backup.
ZWC currently supports only single server farm (standalone) configuration. In other words, the front-end server and the database server must reside on the same machine.
These instructions assume you have already installed and licensed the Amanda Enterprise server, Zmanda Windows Client, and the Sharepoint Server being backed up. Because the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) takes care of any necessary file locking and transaction log pruning during the backup process, the remaining requirements are simple: :
Windows Sharepoint Servcies VSS Writer service must run under the admin app pool account, which is the Network Service account in a basic installation of Windows SharePoint Services.
The Zmanda Client for Windows uses snapshots for Sharepoint server backups. The procedure described below only backs up the Sharepoint database mentioned above.
Create a dedicated backup set for each Microsoft Sharepoint Server you intend to back up. On the Backup What page you are prompted to select what type of object you want to back up. Choose Microsoft Sharepoint, and the following options are displayed:
After you have set the options, click Add. Depending on the Mode of Operation (Planned or Live) the changes are added to the list and/or actually made live on the server; you can then configure the backup set just as you would any other by setting the options on Backup Where, Backup How, and Backup When, etc.
It is very important to develop a recovery plan to minimize lost productivity in the event of a server crash, database corruption, accidental deletion of web applications, etc.
It is important to note that ZWC performs a point in time restore of Sharepoint server data. Currently, ZWC does not support Roll-forward restore. If the restore is targetted to the original location, changes done after backup will
be lost.
Sharepoint databases can be restored to the same server or to an alternate server depending on the Recovery plan decided by the Administrator.
When you have selected the disk list entry that includes the Sharepoint databases for restore, the Restore What page displays a dialog that lets you specify what to restore, where you should select the host database(s) and log file(s) that need to be restored on.
The Restore->Where page lets you select the target server by filling in the Destination Host. If the restore is targetted to the original location, leave the Destination Directory field blank.
Requirements for restoring sharepoint databases to the original location on same or alternate server:
Note: If the configuration database and Central Administration content database are backed up using the native Sharepoint backup and restore feature, restoring backups of the configuration database and Central Administration
content database taken from a running farm is not supported (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc261903.aspx#section5).
Because the ZWC uses VSS for Sharepoint backup and restore, this limitation does not apply. With the ZWC, you can safely back up or restore an entire Sharepoint farm (including administration and configuration databases) while Sharepoint services are running.