Configuration stage - The configuration stage of application-aware backup consists of the following steps.

1. The user creates a protection policy using PowerProtect UI.

2. PowerProtect creates a Boost user and a storage-unit on DD series appliance.
3. PowerProtect adds a protection schedule to its own scheduler.
4. The vProxy engine pushes agents using guest operating system credentials:

• Microsoft application agent
• Dell vProxy agent
• Dell ItemPoint

5. The application agent configures lockbox with credentials on the SQL host (using ADM).

Application-aware SQL Database Backup Workflow (FULL)

Protect stage - The following figure shows the steps involved in the application-aware backup for database.

1. Request to the vProxy agent to execute the backup.

2. Application-aware compatibility check (SQL permission, SQL status, VSS status, and so on).
3. The vProxy takes VADP snapshot with quiesce option which will internally trigger VMware's own VSS workflow.
4. The vProxy gets changed blocks from VADP.
5. The vProxy starts the data transfer to DD series appliance.
6. The vProxy retrieves the VSS manifest (metadata) from vSphere using VADP API and uploads it to the guest VM.
7. The vProxy tells the Microsoft app agent to catalog the backup.
8. The app agent parses the VSS manifest and catalogs databases quiesced during step 3 under its own directory structure.
9. The app agent provides database backup details, including discovered SQL assets, to the vProxy.
10. PowerProtect creates VM PCS (Protection Copy Set) and a corresponding SQL PCS based on the backup results.

Application-aware backup workflow (LOG)

Protect stage - The following figure shows the steps involved in the application-aware backup of SQL log protection.

1. Request to vProxy to execute the backup.

2. Application-aware compatibility check (SQL permission, SQL status, VSS status, and so on).
3. The vProxy asks the Microsoft App agent to execute the transaction log backup.
4. The Microsoft App agent will serially back up each database transaction log (using VDI) on DD series appliance.
5. The SQL Server truncates the logs.
6. The app agent provides database backup details, including discovered SQL assets, to the vProxy.
7. The vProxy parses the VSS manifest and catalogs files and transaction logs.
8. PowerProtect creates VM PCS and its corresponding SQL PCS based on the backup results.