HPV0022: Backup fails when using third party hardware VSS provider: "VSS service or writers may be in a bad state."

Symptom

When you have installed a hardware VSS provider provided by a storage vendor, IntelliSnap backups fail with the following error:

 
Error Code: [91:8]
 Description: Unable to snap virtual machine [<VM_Name>]. VSS service or writers may be in a bad state. Please check vsbkp.log and Windows Event Viewer for VSS related messages. Or run 'vssadmin list writers' from command prompt to check state of the VSS writers; if the 'Microsoft Hyper-V VSS Writer' reports an error, please restart the 'Virtual Machine Management Service' (vmms.exe).

Cause

The filer's hardware VSS provider might not be able to create a shadow copy for the snapshot.

Resolution

Configure the VSSProvider additional setting to use the software VSS provider from Microsoft:

1. To find the ID, run the following command on the client computer:

   vssadmin list providers

2. Copy the provider ID for the software VSS provider from Microsoft.

   An example of a provider ID is 400a2ff4-5eb1-44b0-8a05-1fcac0bcf9ff.

3. From the CommCell Browser, navigate to Client Computers.

4. Right-click the client and select Properties.

5. Click Advanced, then click the Additional Settings tab.

6. Click Add.

7. On the Add Additional Settings dialog box, provide the following information:

   • Name: Type VSSProvider.

   • The Category field is automatically set to VirtualServer and the Type field is set to STRING.

   • In the Value file, enter the VSS Provider ID for Microsoft.

8. Click OK to save additional settings, advanced settings, and client properties.

   Your backup operations will use the VSS Provider from Microsoft.