Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows is the upcoming backup solution that ensures the availability of Windows-based workstations and servers on-premises, remote offices or in the public cloud.
Currently available as a public beta, Veeam Agent for Windows is able to perform image-based backups at the file and volume level and the backup type forever-incremental is enabled using the Veeam’s proprietary CBT driver.
Previously known as Veeam Endpoint Backup, Veeam Agent for Windows implements a Backup Cache functionality that allows incremental backups to complete when the primary backup target is unreachable saving data to a local folder. Once the device connects the network, the cached backups are transparently synced to the primary backup target. Definitely this is a plus for mobile users.
Available editions
In addition to the free version, two paid editions have been added to provide a more robust and enhanced business feature:
- Workstation
- Server
The Server edition of the agent supports full application-aware processing for Microsoft Exchange, Active Directory, SQL Server, SharePoint, Oracle and file servers.
Compared to Veeam Endpoint Backup, the new Free edition supports the following new features:
- Windows Server 2016 support
- Schedule periodic active full backups
- Source-side encryption
The integration with Veeam Backup Free Edition 9.5 allows to perform instant recovery of free agent backups to a Microsoft Hyper-V or to Microsoft Azure.
The following diagram shows how all major new features of Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows map to editions.
Installation
Download Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows (currently in Beta) and run the installer. Accept the EULA and click Install.
Required components are being installed.
If you are not using an external USB drive as backup repository, enable Skip this, I will configure backup later option and click Next.
When the installation has been completed, disable Run Veeam Recovery Media creation wizard (it will be created later on) and click Finish.
First time you run the application, you are prompted to insert the license file. Click Yes to insert the license file or skip this step to use Veeam Agent in Free mode.
Click Install button to specify the license type.
Once selected the correct licence file, click Close.
Recovery media creation
The Recovery media is used to boot and restore the computer from the backup repository in case of disaster. Click Recovery media to proceed.
Enable the recommended options and click Next.
Specify the ISO name and location then click Next.
Click Create to create the Recovery media.
Click Finish when the the Recovery media creation completes successfully.
Backup configuration
Click Configure backup to configure the backup job.
Select the option that best fits your needs and click Next.
Veem Agent for Windows offers four possible destinations to store your backups:
- Local storage
- Shared folder
- Veeam backup repository
- Veeam cloud Connect repository
Specify where to store the backup and click Next. In the example a shared folder is used.
Specify the path and the credentials to access the share then click Next.
Thick Enable backup cache to cache the backup if the target repository is temporarily not available. Click Next.
Specify the schedule and click Apply.
Click Finish to save the configuration.
Accessing the Settings tab you can configure the email notifications to receive the result of the backup when executed.
Run the backup
To run the backup, click Backup Now from the main screen. Since this is the first backup, a full backup will be performed.
The backup is being executed. Click on the processed backup column to check the progress.
Backup progress details.
When the backup has completed successfully, a green column is displayed.
Restore
To restore files or volumes, from the Veeam Agent dashboard click on the recovery point to use.
Select the Restore type to execute.
Select the file and click Restore > Overwrite to recover and overwrite the existing file in the original location. The option Copy To allows you to recover the file in a different location instead.
The file has been restored successfully.
Note the recovered file names using the Overwrite or Keep options during the restore process.
Veeam Agent for Windows is scheduled for release in Q2 2017. In addition Veeam offers Veeam Agent for Linux, a backup solution to protect Linux-based environments.
