Using Symantec Backup Exec to backup SharePoint

October 12, 2010 · by dave.webb · in Maintenance

As I use Symantec BackupExec on my network I have purchased the agent for SharePoint. This will allow me to backup the entire server or farm with the ability to perform a granluar restore.

To backup the SharePoint server efficiently I’ll be adhering to these best practices:

Use an account with local administrative privileges on each server
Use the BackupExec agent to backup the default SQL databases (master, model, msdb)
Endure GRT (Granular Restore Technology is enabled
Keep a record of all service packs and hotfixes installed on each SharePoint server as a restore may fail if databases were backed up with different patch levels
Make backup selections from the appropriate farm as opposed to individual servers

SharePoint 2010 is not supported by BackupExec 12.5 so I’ll be using BackupExec 2010. Here’s a screenshot of my backup job: