Problem using SQLWriter to backup a database from secondary replica in AlwaysOn availability group.

Question

I have a problem using SQLWriter to backup from secondary replica. It works just fine on primary, but fails when I attempt to perform backup on secondary.

I have two node setup with Synchronous Commit, Automatic Failover and Readable secondary settings. When trying to backup from secondary i get this error:

SqlServerWriter state is VSS_WS_FAILED_AT_PREPARE_SNAPSHOT

0x800423f4, The writer experienced a non-transient error.  If the backup process is retried, the error is likely to reoccur.

And there is no further explanation why this occurred.

If anyone had a similar problem, please reply.

Answer 1

It appears that full backups are required to be copy-only on a secondary replica. Does your test take this into consideration?

Answer 2

It not only appears like it, it definitely is that way.

Answer 3

Thanks, that worked just fine!