Backup of the local server Shadow copy components user data to deduplication storage folder fails with "The deduplication writer cannot be backed up to itself"

Problem

This error appears if the backup selection list includes the Backup Exec Deduplication Storage node that appears under Shadow Copy Components > User Data. The deduplication disk storage device cannot be included in a backup job that targets the deduplication disk storage device or the job will fail with the error below:

Error Message

Final error: 0xa0009b0e - The deduplication writer cannot be backed up to itself.
Final error category: System Errors

V-79-40960-39694 - Snapshot Technology: Initialization failure on: "Shadow?Copy?Components". Snapshot technology used: Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS).

Snapshot technology error (0xA0009B0E): The deduplication writer cannot be backed up to itself.

Solution

Remove the Deduplication Disk Storage Device from the selection list so that the Deduplication Disk Storage Device can be used as the target for the job. On the backup selection list, go to Shadow Copy Components  > User Data.  Deselect Backup Exec Deduplication Storage.

If the only item listed is the deduplication disk storage device, then deselect the Shadow Copy Components node. If other items are listed, such as the Distributed File System Replication (DFSR) component,  then deselect only the Backup Exec Deduplication Storage node. Create a separate Job to backup the Deduplication Storage to a non local Deduplication device.

Note: Deselecting the actual volume or folder where the Deduplication Disk Storage Device is located does not fix this error. The Deduplication Disk Storage Device is backed up as a component of the Shadow Copy Components. The Shadow Copy Components device is not a critical system component. Therefore, the exclusion of the Deduplication Disk Storage Device does not invalidate the backup as a Simplified Disaster Recovery-enabled backup. The Deduplication Disk Storage Device also cannot be recovered by using Simplified Disaster Recovery (SDR).

Applies To

Backup Exec 2012 and 2014 with Deduplication Storage