Add a database host and discover the databases and instances

Before you can back up a database, first add the host to the management console and discover the database or its instance. Use the following steps:

  1. Add the host to the management console

  2. Discover the database or instance from the App Manager

  3. Set the host staging disk format

  4. Find the discovered database or instance in the App Manager

Install the Backup and DR agent on the database server

The Backup and DR agent, a small-footprint, lightweight service on the server, is used to capture an application-consistent copy of databases. It uses change block tracking to identify changes to database data for Backup and DR's incremental forever capture strategy. All database servers that have data to be protected by Backup and DR must have the Backup and DR agent installed.

  1. Obtain the right Backup and DR agent for your host

  2. Log onto the Linux server as root.

  3. Install the Backup and DR agent

Add the host to the management console

After the agent is installed, you must add the host to the management console.

Set the host staging disk format

Once the host is added, edit the host to set the staging disk format:

  1. Right-click the host and select Edit.

  2. On the Edit Host page, select the staging disk format:

    • Block: Block-based staging disks are required for volume-level backups. These volume-level backups are the most useful for both backup and recovery and TDM usage. Backup and DR changed-block tracking is only available on block-based staging disks, and virtual databases can only be mounted to block-based staging disks.
    • NFS: NFS staging disks permit only file-based backup.

  3. Select Save at the bottom of Edit Host page.

Discover the database or instance application from the App Manager

Use the following instructions to discover and protect the database or instance:

  1. Click App Manager > Applications, then select Add Application.

  2. In the Add Application wizard, select the database type and then follow the steps in the wizard.

Find the discovered database or instance in the App Manager

To find the newly-discovered instance and its databases, go to the management console App Manager > Applications page. All applications known to the management console of all types are listed. You can use the Type application filter on the left pane to show only the instances and databases of interest. The new database or the instance and its databases appear in the list as unmanaged—the red shield icon.

What's next

After the databases have been added to the management console: