PowerProtect Data Manager Appliance 5.14 features many important Transparent Snapshots-related enhancements:
- Support for Application Consistency for Microsoft SQL Server using Transparent Snapshots – Application consistency for MSSQL with Transparent Snapshots is now supported, in addition to the Application Direct offering. MSSQL app-aware backups with TSDM is designed to operate with the embedded VM Direct Engine. Policies that feature MSSQL app-aware VM backups using vADP from previous PPDM Appliance releases are not automatically migrated to TSDM. For details, see the section override protecting engine.
- TSDM VIB Lifecycle Improvements – The TSDM VIB lifecycle had been greatly enhanced in this release. An Upgrade option is now available in PPDM UI as well as when using the PPDM REST API. VIB status for a given ESXi host is READY_FOR_UPGRADE if it is eligible for upgrade. An Upgrade button is enabled for all ESXi hosts with the READY_FOR_UPGRADE VIB status. Note: A warning message is displayed to warn against performing upgrades while backups are running.
Figure 6. TSDM VIB upgrade option
- TSDM VIBs can run older releases than the PPDM Appliance – Starting with PowerProtect Data Manager Appliance 5.14, it is allowed for the TSDM VIBs to run older releases than the PPDM Appliance, unless stated differently in the PowerProtect Data Manager Appliance ESSM for your specific release. Notably, when auto VIB management on a given vCenter is disabled, ESXi hosts with N-4 and above for a VIB version will skip VIB upgrade during a PPDM Appliance upgrade. When Auto VIB management is enabled, all ESXi hosts with TSDM VIBs on that vCenter would be auto upgraded.
- Policy UI Changes for TSDM – PowerProtect Data Manager Appliance 5.14 greatly enhances VM policy configuration by allowing admins to explicitly select Transparent Snapshots (default) or the vADP protection mechanism. The protection mechanism changes based on the selected backup options, as described in the section Protection Criteria.
Figure 7. Policy creation flow improvements
Restore Plans - Restore plans can now be leveraged to orchestrate mass asset restore operations. Restore plans can be run ad-hoc or can be scheduled and restore plans can be reused or repurposed. A restore plan includes one or more restore groups that represent the assets to be restored, by a specific policy, by rule, or by manual selection. The restore group definition also includes copy selection, restore method and location, and network mapping as well as configuration. Restore plan functionality is limited to VM assets in PowerProtect Data Manager Appliance 5.14 that were backed up using transparent snapshots or VADP. For more information about restore plans, see the PowerProtect Data Manager Appliance Virtual Machine User Guide.
Figure 8. Restore Plans