Application-aware processing allows for transactionally consistent backups of virtual machines that run VSS-aware applications such as Microsoft Active Directory, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Exchange or Oracle.
Application-aware processing relies on Microsoft VSS to quiesce the applications running on the virtual machine. Microsoft VSS ensures that there are no unfinished database transactions or incomplete application files when the backup job runs. In order to utilize application-aware processing you must have the most up to date version of VMware Tools and the latest guest OS updates installed on the source VM.
The following is required when configuring Application-Aware processing: