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Backup Error after Hardware/ESXi Version Upgrade

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Beginner
Messaggi: 6
Commenti: 11

Hi

I have some problems with the Backup of Windows Server VM's since i upgraded my Hardware. Before the Upgrade i used the VMware ESXi Version 5.5 U2 without any problem. Everything works fine, but after changing my Hardware to HP Microserver Gen8 with HP VMware Version 5.5 U3 installed i get some errors every 3-4 days.

I get some different errors, but the most errors are VSS errors. The first VM is a Domain Controller and the second VM is a SQL Server. The following errors comes after 3-4 days and persists until i reboot the server.

Domain Controller Error:
--------------------
Fehlercode: 253
Module: 83
Zeileninfo: c7610e0a857bedf4
Felder:
Nachricht: VMware-Fehler: 'Remote-Methodenaufruf ist fehlgeschlagen.'.

--------------------

Fehlercode: 32
Module: 0
Zeileninfo: c7610e0a857bedf4
Felder:
Nachricht: Erwarteter Task 'CreateSnapshot' fehlgeschlagen. Ursache: An error occurred while saving the snapshot: Failed to quiesce the virtual machine..
--------------------

and later this one:
--------------------

Fehlercode: 3003
Module: 538
Zeileninfo: 38b2393b56c5aa77
Felder:  StringAlertId : ntds vss writer disabled
Nachricht: Alarm 'Konvertierter Agent'

SQL Server Error:

--------------------
Fehlercode: 253
Module: 83
Zeileninfo: c7610e0a857bedf4
Felder:
Nachricht: VMware-Fehler: 'Remote-Methodenaufruf ist fehlgeschlagen.'.

--------------------

Fehlercode: 32
Module: 0
Zeileninfo: c7610e0a857bedf4
Felder:
Nachricht: Erwarteter Task 'CreateSnapshot' fehlgeschlagen. Ursache: An error occurred while saving the snapshot: Failed to quiesce the virtual machine..

--------------------
Fehlercode: 3003
Module: 538
Zeileninfo: 38b2393b56c5aa77
Felder:  StringAlertId : sql vss writer disabled
Nachricht: Alarm 'Konvertierter Agent'

I tried the following things:

1. VMware Tools reinstall (many times)
2. VMware ESXi Update to Version 5.5 U3a (HP Version)
3. Create Snapshot via vCenter without any problem.

I have check the status of the vss writers and noticed that some writers hat the state "Timeout".

Can you help me to solve this problem?

kind regards

Rico

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Acronis Program Manager
Messaggi: 22
Commenti: 3779

Hi Rico,

The VSS writers failure clearly identfies that the problem is related to quiesced snapshot processing by VMware. This may happen only during specific hours during a day especially during peak hours (when manual snapshot works -> backup will also work). Probably there is some side activity performed on either the ESXi host or on some other VM on it which causes extensive CPU/RAM host resources consumption.

Note that Acronis Backup for VMware has a special option added (available in the latest 10535 build) to workaround such VMware-related issues: you can define amount of automatic snapshot retries under Backup Options->Error handling->"Re-attempt the failed VM processing". If this doesn't help and all snapshot attempts fail then you should definitely check what happens to host at the time when the backup is about to start to investigate the issue further.

Thank you.

--

Best regards,

Vasily

Acronis Virtualization Program Manager

Beginner
Messaggi: 6
Commenti: 11

 Hi Vasily

I have noticed also that after the creation of a manual snapshots through vCenter VSS writers of vm change the status of timeout to no fault. I use the error handlich with 5 retrys after backup failure (same problem).

One Question: How much memory is required for the host to take a snapshot? The reason i ask that is because the max. memory of the host has changed too.

I have 16 GB RAM on the Host side and the available free space is now after migration only 512 MB or less. Before i changed the host hardware i had 24 GB Host RAM and 4 GB available free memory. Is it possible that the problem is caused by not enough Host memory?

Best regards

Rico

Acronis Program Manager
Messaggi: 22
Commenti: 3779

Hi Rico,

In fact there is no such strict RAM value that I'm aware of (probably VMware can advise - see troubleshooting recommendations) - all depends on particular machine state, how resources consuming are DBs operations, how much VSS requires to successfully create a volume shadow copy, etc. In general yes the RAM insufficiency may be the root cause (one of possible causes).

Thank you.

--

Best regards,

Vasily

Acronis Virtualization Program Manager

Beginner
Messaggi: 6
Commenti: 11

 Hi Vasily

I performed some tests yesterday. There are no errors if i take a snapshot via vCenter. Backups with Acronis still fails. In the Event Viewer of Windows i see the following error message: VSS Error 12298 (maybe a disk I/O problem).

Than i make some more tests with the result that high I/O in the VM causes Backup Error. I scheduled a backup at that time when low I/O exists and the Backup was sucsessfully.

The only problem now is, what has changed in the VM since the Upgrade?!

Thanks for your help.

Best regards
Rico