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AvailabilityGroupBackupPath – System Parameter

The AvailabilityGroupBackupPath system parameter specifies the backup path for SQL Server Always On Availability Groups (AOAG) synchronization in Nodinite Core Services.

What you need to know about this parameter:

  • Required for Nodinite databases hosted on SQL Server Always On Availability Groups (AOAG)
  • Must be a highly available network share accessible from all nodes in the AOAG cluster
  • The Logging Service account must have read/write/create permissions on the share
  • Managed automatically by PowerShell 7 installation scripts

Important

The AvailabilityGroupBackupPath system parameter MUST be configured in the Nodinite portal on each environment where the Nodinite databases are using SQL Server Always On Availability Groups.

This parameter defines the backup path location used when creating new Log Databases for SQL Server Always On Availability Groups. The backup path is required to allow the AOAG synchronization process to restore database backups on secondary replicas.

System Parameter Name Data Type Values/Example Comment
AvailabilityGroupBackupPath string UNC path Highly available network share accessible from all AOAG cluster nodes.

Configuration Requirements

Share Requirements

The backup path must be a highly available network share that meets the following requirements:

  • Accessible from all AOAG nodes: Every node in the SQL Server Always On Availability Group cluster must be able to access the share
  • Highly available: The share should be hosted on a high-availability file server or cluster to ensure continuous access
  • Adequate performance: Network latency and throughput should support efficient backup and restore operations
  • Sufficient storage: Ensure adequate disk space for database backups

Example UNC path:

\\HighAvailFileServer\NodiniteBackups\Production

Service Account Permissions

The Logging Service account must have the following permissions on the network share:

  • Read - Read backup files during synchronization
  • Write - Create backup files for new databases
  • Create - Create subdirectories if needed

Tip

Ensure the SQL Server service accounts on all AOAG nodes also have appropriate permissions to the share, as they will need to access backup files during the synchronization process.

How to Configure

The AvailabilityGroupBackupPath system parameter is automatically configured by the PowerShell 7 installation scripts included with Nodinite 7.2.0 and later.

Warning

The PowerShell 7 scripts manage this system parameter. Do NOT change this value manually using the Web Client or Web API. Changes made outside of the installation scripts may be overwritten and can cause AOAG synchronization issues.

Manual Configuration (Initial Setup Only)

For initial setup, configure the parameter through the Nodinite portal:

  1. Navigate to Administration > Settings > System Parameters
  2. Locate AvailabilityGroupBackupPath
  3. Enter the UNC path to your highly available network share
  4. Click Save

Version History

The AvailabilityGroupBackupPath parameter has the following version history:

  • Version 7.2.0: Parameter reintroduced and required for AOAG environments
  • Version 7.1.0 and preview versions: Parameter not used
  • Version 6.x and earlier: Original implementation

Note

Nodinite Agents with databases in version 7 have their own entry in the Nodinite portal for backup path configuration. Agent-specific configuration is documented in the respective agent documentation and is not covered on this page, which focuses on Nodinite Core Services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find more solutions and answers in the Nodinite System Parameters FAQ, as well as the Troubleshooting user guide.

Why was this parameter reintroduced in version 7.2.0?

The AvailabilityGroupBackupPath parameter was originally used in Nodinite version 6.x to support AOAG configurations. It was temporarily removed in version 7.1.0 and preview versions. Based on customer requirements and production environment needs, the parameter was reintroduced in version 7.2.0 to provide reliable AOAG support through managed backup path configuration.

Can I change this value manually?

No. While the parameter is visible in the Web Client, it should only be managed by the PowerShell 7 installation scripts. Manual changes may be overwritten during updates and can cause database synchronization issues in AOAG environments.

What happens if the share becomes unavailable?

If the configured backup path becomes unavailable, the Logging Service will be unable to create new Log Databases in the AOAG environment. Ensure the share is hosted on a highly available infrastructure to minimize downtime. Monitor share availability and connectivity from all AOAG nodes.

What permissions are required on the backup share?

The Logging Service account needs:

  • Read permissions to access existing backup files
  • Write permissions to create new backup files
  • Create permissions to create subdirectories if needed

Additionally, ensure SQL Server service accounts on all AOAG nodes have appropriate permissions to access the backup files during synchronization.

How do I verify the configuration?

To verify the AvailabilityGroupBackupPath is correctly configured:

  1. Navigate to Administration > Settings > System Parameters in the Nodinite portal
  2. Locate AvailabilityGroupBackupPath and verify the UNC path is correct
  3. Test network connectivity from all AOAG nodes to the share
  4. Verify the Logging Service account has appropriate permissions

Do I need to restart anything after configuration?

After setting the AvailabilityGroupBackupPath parameter for the first time, restart the Logging Service to ensure the new configuration is applied. Subsequent changes managed by PowerShell scripts typically handle service restarts automatically.

Next Step

SQL Server Always On Availability Groups
Log Databases
Install and Update Tool