Does anyone snapshot / checkpoint a virtual Sims database server?

[edutech4schools]

I have a hyper-v 2012r2 host running a gen 2 2012r2 Windows server that has the FMS and Sims files and databases on.

 

MS say it is not a good idea to snapshot a database but I have read of a few people shutting down the computer before taking the snapshot to stop database inconsistency but these were not running Sims or FMS.

 

So does anyone have a virtual FMS and Sims server, and do you take snapshots or checkpoints before doing any maintenance?

[glen_j]

you could always back up the database via dbattach then snapshot the server.

[edutech4schools]

you could always back up the database via dbattach then snapshot the server.

 

Thanks but already do that. Really would like to snapshot the server before doing some upgrades and wanted to find out if anyone on edugeek is already doing this.

 

EDIT - Dont really want to be causing myself issues if someone else has already done this.

[Steve21]

Only Veeam wise, not HyperV locally.

 

Steve

[truebluesteve]

I've done it with Veeam without any issues - although having said that I haven't had to use the snapshot.

[sister_annex]

I was always under the impression that snapshots were not good practise for DB servers (AD, SQL, Exchange etc) due to inconsistencies that can occur if you have to revert.

 

We use Veeam as a backup solution here so when it comes to updates etc for SIMS FMS etc we shut the server down and do a full veeamzip which provides a standalone full backup outside of the usual backup schedule that can be restored if needs be - takes a little bit longer to backup but better safe than sorry

[edutech4schools]

I've done it with Veeam without any issues - although having said that I haven't had to use the snapshot.

 

If I was going to have an issue I suppose it would be when I go to merge/delete the snapshot as it merges the snapshot back into the vm. Not sure about vmware but with Hyper-v you should not keep live snapshots as it reduces the vm speeds.

 

If nobody gets back to me that has done this already I'll give it a go later.

[edutech4schools]

I was always under the impression that snapshots were not good practise for DB servers (AD, SQL, Exchange etc) due to inconsistencies that can occur if you have to revert.

 

Yes but people seem to be shutting down the sql server first and then taking the snapshot so it's not live which apparently gives a clean snap.