Enabling Windows Server Backup support for the Hyper-VSS Writer

Generically, a VSS write is an interface provided an application to manage data and state information, ensure that pending data is flushed to disk, and ensure that the application is quiescent prior to initializing a volume shadow copy snapshot. This process is necessary to provide a consistent application state prior to performing a backup. In fact, Hyper-V provides a VSS writer that supports the backup of Hyper-V server configuration information and virtual machines.



In Hyper-V, the VSS writer is implemented in the Hyper-V Virtual Machine Management Service (VMMS) and offers the following functionality:

1) Backup and recovery of Hyper-V server and all configuration settings

2) Online backup of Windows Server 203 or later guest operating systems when Hyper-V Integration Services and installed

3) Offline backup of all supported virtual machine guest operating systems when Hyper-V Integrations are not installed

4) Recovery of individual virtual machines to the same Hyper-V server or a different Hyper-V server

The Hyper-V VSS write does not provide the following functionality:

1) Online backup of Windows Server 2003 or later guest operating systems if Hyper-V Integration Services are not installed

2) Online backup of virtual machines running operating systems other than Windows

3) Online backup of virtual machines with FAT of FAT32 volumes

4) Online backup of virtual machine with dynamic disks

1. At Hyper-V server, log in as Administrator.

2. Launch "Registry Editor".

3. Create the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WindowsServerBackup\Application Support\{66841CD4-6DED-4F4B-8F17-FD23F8DDC3DE}

4. At right pane, right-click blank area, select "New > String Value".
5. Enter "Application Identifier".
6. Double-click "Application Identifier", type "Hyper-V", click "OK".

7. Close "Registry Editor".

Reference:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/958662

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