VSS for vCenter

KB ID: 1051
Product: Veeam Backup & Replication
Version: 5.x, 6.x
Published: 2011-07-19
Created: 2011-07-19
Last Modified: 2013-03-20

During backup of a vCenter or a SQL server that contains vCenter database, VSS fails with the following errors:

"VSSControl: Failed to freeze guest, wait timeout"

or

"VSSFreezer: Failed to prepare guest, wait timeout 900 sec"

During backup, VSS freezes I/O of a VM (in this case, the VM is vCenter). Veeam Backup & Replication sends a snapshot command to the vCenter. Then, the vCenter sends the command to the source ESX host to create a snapshot for the virtual machine that is being backed up. VSS does not receive required confirmation of snapshot creation because I/O is frozen on the vCenter, and is waiting for the snapshot completion notification from the ESX host. Thus, snapshot creation times out every time.

To resolve this problem, add the ESX(i) host that manages the vCenter VM to the Veeam Backup console as a standalone host. First try using its IP address - if you receive an error, try the DNS name instead.
 
When adding the VM to the job, first expand the standalone host you added, then select the VM. This will allow you to communicate directly with the host, bypassing vCenter communication for job operations.

Adding the vCenter VM directly via the host will cause vMotion to break the job.

See also Adding a VMware Server <http://www.veeam.com/vmware-backup/help-center/vsphere/add_vmware_server.html>