Abstract: Backing up availability group databases configured on multi-node virtual servers is described. A system identifies an availability group scheduled for backup. The system determines whether the availability group is configured on at least one virtual server in a cluster of nodes associated with the availability group. If the availability group is configured on at least one virtual server in the cluster of nodes, the system retrieves information from a server in the cluster of nodes. The system uses the retrieved information to identify a database replica that is preferred for backing up the availability group. The system identifies a virtual server, in the cluster of nodes, that is associated with the identified database replica. The system identifies a node for backing up the availability group by identifying an active node from the nodes in the identified virtual server. The system backs up the availability group via the identified node.

Abstract: Embodiments describe concurrently backing up data associated with a relational database management system (RDBMS). In an embodiment, a request is received to back up data from multiple nodes to a target storage source. The multiple nodes are configured to provide storage services to data associated with the RDBMS and are communicatively coupled to a backup server configured to manage backup of one or more storage devices. In response to the request, one or more preference nodes are identified from multiple nodes based on a preference configuration. Using a backup algorithm, portions of the backup to be performed are assigned to one or more preference nodes selected from the identified preference nodes. The backup operations are initiated using the selected preference node(s). Each portion is a distinct subset of the data to be backed up and each of the selected preference node(s) is assigned a unique portion.