TSM4VE does get VMWare to create a snapshot, it's VMWare that then
integrates with the VM to do the VSS stuff.

As you don't have VSS, VMWare will use it's own driver to do this (SYNC).
it has been know for this quiesce stage to kill a busy server:

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&docTypeID=DT_KB_1_1&externalId=5962168

Feedback if it makes a difference.

Steven

P.S. loved your comment about old W2K servers!


On 17 July 2013 19:13, Huebner, Andy <andy.huebner AT alcon DOT com> wrote:

> In the physical world, we stopped the application, used the SAN to make a
> snap shot of the disks then restarted the application.  The snaps where
> then given to another server where they are backed up.  The virtual version
> would be similar, stop the application, start the backup, start the
> application.
>
> Our understanding of the TSM VE process is that TSM has VMWare make a snap
> of the disks then TSM backs up the snap.  If that is the case why would VSS
> matter on the guest?  Or do we have it wrong?
>
> Our problem is we have been given about 30 minutes to backup an
> application that spans 3 servers and dozens of disks.  On the disks we have
> Oracle and millions of files.  All have to be in sync to be able to do a
> complete restoration of the application.
> The physical version of this process has worked for more than 10 years,
> now we need to convert it to virtual.
>
>
> Andy Huebner
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ADSM: Dist Stor Manager [mailto:ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU] On Behalf 
> Of
> Ryder, Michael S
> Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 11:25 AM
> To: ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
> Subject: Re: [ADSM-L] TSM VE backup of Orcale Windows server
>
> Andy:
>
> VE uses Microsoft VSS (Volume Shadow copy Service), which was not
> available with Windows 2000.
> Oracle VSS Writer is only available with Oracle 9i or later.
>
> On Windows 2003 and newer, and Oracle 9i and alter, we have no trouble
> with hot-backups of Oracle systems where we have the Oracle writer for VSS
> installed.
>
> I can't explain why your DB would get corrupt, but without VSS and
> VSS-Writer for Oracle, there isn't any integration between Oracle and the
> snapshot process.  That in itself might be enough to explain it.
>
> On servers where we couldn't get VSS Writer for Oracle installed, we only
> do cold-backups by using VMware tools to execute batch-commands to properly
> shutdown and restart applications and their Oracle databases.
>
> I think you will only be able to get away with cold-backups in your
> current configuration.
>
> Mike
>
> Best regards,
>
> Mike
> RMD IT, x7942
>
>
> On Wed, Jul 17, 2013 at 11:20 AM, Huebner, Andy <andy.huebner AT alcon DOT com
> >wrote:
>
> > We ran our first backup of a Oracle server using TSM VE and the Oracle
> > DB reported many errors and it caused the Oracle DB to become corrupt.
> > I believe Oracle crashed and it was later recovered.
> >
> > Has anyone had any issues backing up a live Oracle system with TSM VE?
> >
> > Oracle - v.Old
> > Windows - 2000 (laugh it you want, but I bet you have some too) TSM
> > agent 6.4.0.0 TSM Server 6.2.3.100
> >
> > There is far more to the process and well thought out reasons, but
> > this is the bit that is having an issue.
> >
> >
> > Andy Huebner
> >
>