Should I Backup the Entire VM or Just the Database?

It's not strictly an either/or choice; each method targets different needs. Full VM backups are great for quick recovery since you can restore the entire VM easily. However, if you're only doing VM-level backups, you might run into consistency issues with your database unless you ensure app-aware snapshots. On the other hand, database backups provide clean, transaction-consistent restores and allow for point-in-time recovery, though restoring the entire server would take longer. Ideally, you should consider using both methods unless the data is not critical.

You should definitely have the NetBackup client installed for database backups. When dealing with VM backups, the client isn’t usually necessary. But if you're backing up databases, having the client helps in managing the backup more effectively.

The best approach is to utilize both methods. You'll want that application awareness for the database, so having the client for database backup can make all the difference. Check if there's direct integration with the database you're using.

It really boils down to the type of database you're using and whether you want to manage an agent. Agent-based backups tend to offer more features and options for recovery compared to VM-based backups. With an agent, you can access your data instantly and even recover specific tables, which can be super useful.