To backup the virtual infrastructure, Veeam Backup & Replication 6.5 is a good product to protect corporate data and as disaster recovery solution.
In addition to standard data backup, it covers also the virtual machines running in the virtual infrastructure giving different restore options to quickly recover the functionality in case of troubles.
As previously seen, the adoption of a specific solution is related to different factors that need to be considered: available budget, features fit in the own network structure, technical support and so forth.
Prerequisites
To install Veeam Backup & Replication three main components are required:
- Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Service Pack 1.
- Veeam Backup & Replication for VMware v6.5.
If not present in the system, during the installation process the application will proceed with the installation of missing Microsoft components.
The process notifies you with an informational Windows claiming the installation of some redistributables. Click Yes to proceed with installation.
Packages are installed in the system.
Installation
Installation starts by clicking the executable file downloaded from the website.
Click Next to launch the installation Wizard.
Accept the EULA and click Next.
Click Browse and select license file (ex. veeam_backup_trial_32_0.lic) received from Veeam even using the trial version. Click Next.
Select options to install and click Next to continue.
Specify which SQL instance application database should be installed. Click Next.
In the User name field type the user application service will use in the DOMAIN\username format . It’s strongly suggested the creation of a dedicated account with local administrative rights on the server where Veeam is installed to keep system safer. Click Next.
Specify directory folders for Guest file system catalog and vPower NFS. Click Next to continue.
To begin the installation click Install button.
The installation status is shown during the process.
If no errors appear during the procedure, the Installation Wizard notifies that Veeam has been successfully installed. Click Finish to exit the window.
Starting the application
From the server, start the application by click the icon. Splash screen is displayed.
Veeam Backup & Replication opens showing the default windows to access available functions.
Setup vCenter Server / ESXi
Prior configuring backup jobs, you have to add the necessary servers of your virtual infrastructure. Click Add Server to add the vCenter Server or single hosts.
Select the server type to register, VMware vSphere for this example.
Type DNS name or IP address of vCenter Server or ESXi hosts of your structure. Optionally you can add a Description to better identify the system then click Next.
Type username and password of the account used to connect the vCenter Server in the DOMAIN\username format and click Next.
The application scan the system to detect the server type.
Once connection to vCenter Server has been established, click Finish to complete the configuration.
Veeam shows now the virtual infrastructure configured in the selected vCenter Server.
Repository configuration
To setup the repository where backups are stored, select Backup Infrastructure item from main window and click Add Repository option.
Type Name and Description to better identify the repository type then click Next.
Select the repository type to create (Shared folder in this example). Click Next.
Type in UNC path of the share to save the backup jobs specifying the access credentials. Click Next.
By clicking Populate button both Capacity and Free space of chosen location is shown. Click Next.
Specify vPower NFS server settings then click Next.
When the configuration is complete, a summary window is shown. Check the settings and click Next to apply.
Repository creation process is complete. Click Finish to close the editor.
The new repository is now on the system list.
Backup Job configuration
To configure a backup job, select option Backup & Replication from main window and click Backup Job option.
Type a backup Name and Description then click Next.
Through Add button select the virtual machines to include in the Backup Job. Click Add to confirm.
When virtual machines have been selected, click Next to continue.
Select the repository to store the backup and click Next.
Click Advanced button to access the Backup mode options. Related to your backup schema, chose the configuration that best fit and click OK.
If the backup is performed with virtual machines installed with Microsoft OS and some databases are configured, you can rely on VSS technology and system indexing by enabling the options. Specify the account with local administrator privileges on all VMs included in the backup. Click Advanced to access the processing parameters.
Set parameters as shown in order to avoid the stop of the process in case of failures. Click OK then Next.
Specify the scheduling options then click Next.
A Summary windows shows the settings. Click Finish to save the Backup Job.
The new configuration is now on the list Jobs > Backup.
You can perform a manual backup without waiting for the normal schedule by selecting the backup job you want to process, then right-click and select Start option.
As soon as backup is performed, the process status is shown in the Jobs > Backup screen.
To display the summary of performed processes and their status, from Backup & Replication panel select the item Last 24 hours.
To help during the testing phase and having a better overview of product features and options, Veeam made available the veeam_backup_evaluators_guide_6_5_vmware.pdf downloadable from website.
