THE OFFICIAL BLOG OF THE SBS DIVA

MPECS Inc. Blog: SBS 2011 Backup Error: Add Destination Drive Failure – Cannot Configure Backup Schedule:
http://blog.mpecsinc.ca/2011/06/sbs-2011-backup-error-add-destination.html

If you want a rotating backup in SBS 2011 and even Windows 2012 Essentials you have one slightly large problem.  There's what I consider to be a bug in the process.  A big bug.  But it's a bug that Microsoft doesn't see as a bug.

Error message when you try to add an additional disk to a scheduled backup: "The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect":
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2009365?ppud=4&wa=wsignin1.0

The "bug" resides in the fact that if you want add another usb backup location to your offsite rotation, the only way you can do so is to bring ALL of the drive locations back so that the system sees all of them at the same time and then and only then can you add an additional drive location.  If you don't have all the drives, the wizard won't let you add a new drive to the disk rotation but you'll have to set the backups all over again.  Which kinda defeats the idea behind father/grandfather backup rotations.

Here's a current manifestation of the "bug"

Cannot add additional backup drives to existing schedule | Microsoft Connect:
https://connect.microsoft.com/WindowsServer/feedback/details/775013/cannot-add-additional-backup-drives-to-existing-schedule

"It is not possible to add additional backup destinations to a backup schedule unless ALL the drives are plugged into the server.

This means if you have more backup drives that can be plugged in at once (i.e. more USB disks than USB ports) the drives cannot be added to the schedule.

Also if a new drive needs adding to the schedule then ALL drives must be brought back on site and plugged in. This is an issue as it means there is no "off site" backup.

I have a support case SR112122010094252 open for this issue.

I have uploaded a text file with PowerShell output showing the issue and a Procmon log showing the issue - VDS cannot find the path it is looking for."

"Create backup schedule to one USB drive. Re run the wizard to add a destination. Choose a drive. This fails with a path not found error.

This can be reproduced on all Server 2012 editions using GUI and PowerShell"

More on this thread here.

Has wbadmin changed since 2011 Essentials?:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winserveressentials/thread/8c16b6c7-85d2-4522-9ea3-9c71f4e78fef/

Help me out by voting up that bug please.  We shouldn't have to bring all the usb attached backup locations to add another backup to the rotation.