Introduction to Data Protection Manager: Webcast (2-28-2006)

Good Afternoon all my young Data Protection Manager Jedi’s (and you know who you areJ)!

Thank you for attending the web cast on Data Protection Manager, (DPM) as promised here is the scrubbed Q/A log (you kept Chris Avis very busy!).  Also huge thank you to Jason from the product froup hoping on the web cast! 

Please comment if you need more information.  I mentioned a great web site where you can down load the slides and individual demos for this web cast take a look at the session home page:
https://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/events/systemcenter/mgt-42.mspx

Also if you can watch the stream of the web cast here:
https://www.microsoft.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?CMTYSvcSource=MSCOMMedia&Params=%7eCMTYDataSvcParams%5e%7earg+Name%3d%22ID%22+Value%3d%221032286342%22%2f%5e%7earg+Name%3d%22ProviderID%22+Value%3d%22A6B43178-497C-4225-BA42-DF595171F04C%22%2f%5e%7earg+Name%3d%22lang%22+Value%3d%22en%22%2f%5e%7earg+Name%3d%22cr%22+Value%3d%22US%22%2f%5e%7esParams%5e%7e%2fsParams%5e%7e%2fCMTYDataSvcParams%5e

Enjoy!

Question: How do I get to see a LIVE event?
Answer: We are currently delivering a brief Data Protection Manger (DPM) demo at our live events. You can locate and register for FREE Live TechNet Events at: https://www.technetbriefings.com

Question: Where can I find more information on Microsoft Data Protection Manager?
Answer: Here is the Data Protection Manger (DPM) Home Page: https://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/dpm/default.mspx

Question: Is this recommended for total system backups, or just for user data.
Answer: Primarily for data. It would not be recommended to protect a system volume. Windows XP and Windows 2003 already use System File Protection to protect the System paths.

Question: I am currently utilizing a substantial portion of my disk space on the local server for 30 days of VSS snapshots of files. If I go to Data Protection Manger (DPM) and have the snapshots on Data Protection Manger (DPM) is there any reason to leave the VSS enabled on the local servers? When a user opens the previous versions tab on a file is he seeing the files in VSS or on Data Protection Manger (DPM) or both?
Answer: In fact, to utilize Data Protection Manger (DPM), you will disable VSS on the servers you want to protect with Data Protection Manger (DPM). There are Data Protection Manger (DPM) agents that you install to the servers you want to protect that manages the shadow copies for Data Protection Manger (DPM). If you enable end user recovery within Data Protection Manger (DPM) they will be using the Data Protection Manger (DPM) snapshots.

Question: Do I require Enterprise Edition to replicate Shadow copies to Data Protection Manger (DPM) server?
Answer: No take a look at the system requirements at this location: https://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/dpm/evaluation/sysreqs.mspx

Question: Can Data Protection Manger (DPM) backup Exchange or SQL or other online databases?
Answer:  I have gotten these questions a few times. Ultimately Data Protection Manger (DPM) is not the recommend solution to be the primary backup those environments. However, here are some great articles on Data Protection Manger (DPM). Something to be aware of, while you can use Data Protection Manger (DPM) to protect these services, as noted in the KB's (below (from the SQL KB)) "DPM 2006 cannot directly help protect a SQL Server database."   Bottom line:  

Data Protection Manger (DPM) will be in used in conjunction with traditional backup’s methods to guarantee full recoverability. Here are the articles (KB 909644 and KB91040):

Data Protection Manager and Microsoft Exchange
https://support.microsoft.com/kb/909644/en-us

Data Protection Manager and Microsoft SQL
https://support.microsoft.com/kb/910401/en-us

Question: I have a spare server that is basically acting as a second copy of active directory and has not other applications running at this time. CPU is at or below 3% can Data Protection Manger (DPM) be installed on that machine or do I have to get rid of the active directory on the Data Protection Manger (DPM) box?
Answer: You can install Data Protection Manger (DPM) to a DC but we recommend you do not add services to DC's as a general rule.

Question: Does Data Protection Manger (DPM) need a separate license?
Answer: You can view Data Protection Manger (DPM) System requirements and licensing info here: https://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/dpm/default.mspx

Question: Why no services to DC's?
Answer: As a general rule, it is never recommended to have a DC be anything other than a DC. Any additional services added to a DC can degrade performance as well as add to the administrative overhead for backup and recovery of a DC.

Question: about the installation of Data Protection Manger (DPM) Is it possible to work with SQL 2005 express instead of the 2000 that comes with it?
Answer: Currently, Data Protection Manger (DPM) supports -- Microsoft SQL Server 2000 (with SP3a or later), along with the SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services (SP1 or later). The Data Protection Manger (DPM) setup process will install the necessary SQL Server components; the Data Protection Manger (DPM) product includes a restricted license of SQL Server 2000 for use only with Data Protection Manger (DPM). I have not seen any articles showing it being used with SQL 2005 versions.  As a matter of fact, I have been told that SQL 2000 - SP3+ is on the CD

Question: How does the product work with File Archiving solutions like those offered by HP?
Answer: Data Protection Manger (DPM) is an independent product that leverages the shadow copy subsystem. I am sure there is an API set that vendors can hook to within Data Protection Manger (DPM) that would allow them to write apps to leverage Data Protection Manger (DPM).

Question: Are there any known issues with the Data Protection Manger (DPM) agent running on the same server as say a Backup Exec agent?
Answer:  Data Protection Manger (DPM) leverages shadow copy and some backup applications also leverage shadow copy. The only concern would be open files during the backup process which is always an issue and usually addressed with an Open File Agent.  There are 3 articles detailing use of Data Protection Manger (DPM) with additional backup solutions:

Veritas BackupExec: https://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/dpm/techresources/backupexec.mspx

Windows Backup (NTBackup): https://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/dpm/techresources/winbackup.mspx

Yosemite Backup: https://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/dpm/techresources/yosemite.mspx

Question: Does it backups open files also?
Answer: Yes. Data Protection Manger (DPM) takes a snap shot of the current state. If the file gets altered and save after the snapshot was taken you would be able to revert to the previous state.  Technically, Data Protection Manger (DPM) servers filter driver captures the data "under" where open file locks happen - so Data Protection Manger (DPM) agent doesn’t have to deal with "open" files... and then, captures the changes to the local log which gets synchronized to the Data Protection Manger (DPM) Server

Question: Does Data Protection Manger (DPM) require Separate Disk or separate partition on a raid array?
Answer: The Data Protection Manger (DPM) server must have at least two disks installed: one that is dedicated to the system and Data Protection Manger (DPM) installation files, and one that is dedicated to the storage pool. This could be a RAID array. The Data Protection Manger (DPM) server must be running Windows Server 2003 (Standard or Enterprise Edition) with Service Pack 1 (SP1) or later installed.

Question: If I can't use Data Protection Manger (DPM) for full restore, why would I use it? We are looking to Data Protection Manger (DPM) as a full M$ backup system?
Answer: I suppose you wouldn't if that is what you are looking for. Data Protection Manger (DPM) is designed for File protection. Not for doing a bare metal restore of a lost server.  There are several Data Protection Manger (DPM) customers that have fully replaced their branch office backup system (SW/HW) with the Data Protection Manger (DPM) agent.  When you consider that Data Protection Manger (DPM) gets all of the data, and it can get System State via NTB-BKF.  So what you would do is get  a clean HW spare from the datacenter with a pre-staged with an OS, restore the System State from BKF and the data from Data Protection Manger (DPM) and BAM (just like Emeril) restored Server!!!

Question: Does the copy use BITS?
Answer: No.

Question: Does Data Protection Manger (DPM) automatically ship database files and others that should not be saved by Data Protection Manger (DPM)?  Do you have to structure the partitions to exclude the database files?
Answer: No. Data Protection Manger (DPM) protects a volume or a file path and all of the files there in. you can use Data Protection Manger (DPM) in conjunction with backup applications to protect DB files.

Question: Is there a Data Protection Manger (DPM) agent for Windows XP to allow backing up key desktops?
Answer: No. Data Protection Manger (DPM) Protects only Windows 2003 + SP1, Windows Storage Server + SP1, Windows 2000 + SP4 + Update Rollup.  For XP protection - use My Documents Redirection ... so the server has a copy and the XP machine has its synced copy. Data Protection Manger (DPM) protects the server's version.

Question: When is Data Protection Manger (DPM) v2 going to be available?
Answer: Keep checking the Data Protection Manger (DPM) site for information: https://www.microsoft.com/dpm

Question: Will this work on Windows Storage Server 2003?
Answer: Yes, Data Protection Manger (DPM) can protect a Windows Storage Server + SP1, in fact some partners like HP, Quantum and FSC all make Data Protection Manger (DPM)-Storage Server appliances today

Question: What is the difference between the schedule for shadow copies and the maximum time that data is lost?
Answer: There really is not a difference per se. They are however interrelated. The Estimated recovery goals provides estimates of the number of days for which you can maintain shadow copies and the maximum data loss you could sustain, given the shadow copy schedule that you have specified. To extend the number of days for which you can maintain shadow copies, consider excluding days on which you experience little change to your data. For more information take a look here: https://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/dpm/proddocs/0d702b4c-151d-41d0-875a-4ddd4a1434fb.mspx

Question: I saw another Data Protection Manger (DPM) demo at a TechNet Live event and an error was created when the server being backed up was rebooted. The message said a new full sync would have to be run. Since I generally have to reboot all servers at least once a month to install security updates can Data Protection Manger (DPM) be configured to automatically do the full Sync when it detects a server reboot?
Answer: Particularly to that demo, I do not know why the system rebooted. You can set schedules for syncing and/or manually syncing. For more information on the synchronization process take a look here: https://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/dpm/proddocs/0d702b4c-151d-41d0-875a-4ddd4a1434fb.mspx

Question: Will you have another Data Protection Manger (DPM) presentation in the near future?
Answer: Definitely Data Protection Manger (DPM) also has sessions scheduled for IT Pro Days, SNW, MMS and Tech-Ed, along with more web casts.  Future Web Casts: www.microsoft.com/webcasts

Question: to see the previous tab for the user, do you need to install anything on the client (same as VSS)?
Answer: yes, group policy

Question: Since Data Protection Manger's (Data Protection Manger (DPM)) storage disk is not visible how can you back it up to tape?
Answer: You actually can back up a (Data Protection Manger ‘s(DPM)) server to tape.   Ultimately you must back up the database and transaction log files for both the Data Protection Manger (DPM) database and the Report database. (Backing up the databases will automatically back up the associated transaction log files.)
Specific steps on how to backup are located here: https://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/dpm/proddocs/7705c0dd-bdaf-4241-b1be-d0da2fee7782.mspx

Great Overview of Backing up a Data Protection Manger (DPM) environment is here: https://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/dpm/proddocs/7705c0dd-bdaf-4241-b1be-d0da2fee7782.mspx

Question: Can you use a server as a san and then use Data Protection Manger (DPM) as your software?
Answer: Yes, Data Protection Manager (DPM) supports using any of the following sources for file server storage capacity:

  • Direct attached storage (DAS)
  • Fibre Channel storage area network (SAN).
  • Internet SCSI (iSCSI) storage device or SAN; the iSCSI target must have received Windows Hardware Certification.

Check out the system requirements here: https://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/dpm/evaluation/sysreqs.mspx