Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 v8 is the latest version of Veeam's backup solution that provides new features such as Backup Proxy Pool, Linux Proxy, and Immutability.
The protection of business-critical Office 365 data is not the responsibility of Microsoft 365. Despite being a cloud service, Microsoft is only responsible for providing and maintaining the infrastructure, not for protecting your data.
Blog series
Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 v8 installation - pt.1
Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 v8 configuration - pt.2
Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 v8 test backup - pt.3
What's new in version 8
Several enhancements have been introduced with version 8 but the key features are the following:
- Immutability - applicable to Object Storage, now also primary backup can be immutable in addition to backup copies.
- Backup Proxy - added support for OS Linux (Ubuntu and RedHat) proxies.
- Proxy Pools - used to automatically balance resource consumption (CPUand RAM) as well as Microsoft 365 throttling. Support for up to 150 proxy per pool to protect up to 1M objects.
- Teams channels - version 8 now fully supports Shared and Private channels.
Version 8 introduces also some architectural changes:
- Centralized PostgreSQL database - configuration database, organization’s cache databases, and repository persistent caches are now stored in PostgreSQL (local or external PostgreSQL servers are supported).
- NATS Server - it is a component used for backup proxy pool operations.
Install Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 v8
Mount the downloaded .ISO and double click the Veeam.Setup.exe file to run the installation wizard.
Click Install.
Select Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365.
Click I Accept.
Click Browse and select the license file to use then click Next.
The system is verified for potential installation issues.
If the used computer doesn't meet the minimum system requirements, a warning is displayed. Click Next.
Before proceeding with the installation, make sure to copy and write down the NATS password. Click Install.
If you prefer to Customize Settings, click the link accordingly to access the configuration windows. Specify the Database instance and credentials to use then click Next.
Specify the NATS instance and administrative Password then click Next.
After clicking Install, the wizard begins the installation of Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365.
The installation is composed by seven steps where the required components are installed on the system.
After a few minutes the installation is complete. Click Finish to exit the wizard.
Open the console
Double click the Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 icon to open the console. Click Connect.
Security
One of the new features is the MFA configuration for users and the auto logoff. To configure MFA go to Settings > Manage Users & Roles > Users and Roles.
MFA can be configured to single users only and not to groups. In Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 version 8 only the Veeam Backup Administrator role is available.
Backup Proxies
Another cool new feature is the added support for Linux OS to configure multiple Backup Proxies using either Linux or Windows.
Access the Backup Infrastructure area and select Backup Proxies. Right click anywhere and select Add backup proxy.
Configure a Linux Proxy
Select the OS platform to use for Backup Proxies. Currently the Linux support is restricted to Red Hat and Ubuntu only. Click Next.
Specify the DNS name or IP address for the Host and optionally a Description. Click Next.
Enter Account and Password as credentials to connect the service console and click Advanced.
Enable the Elevate specified account to root and click OK to confirm.
Click Next to continue.
Click Yes to accept the SSH key fingerprint.
Specify the account used to run the proxy service. In the example the system is configured to create a custom Account locveeam assigning the required permissions. Click Next.
Backup Proxy with OS Ubuntu
As written in the manual, the dotnet package must added to the Ubuntu black list to avoid unwanted automatic updates of the dotnet package that could cause issues in the Backup Proxy functionality. Create a new file in the folder /etc/apt/preferences.d/ and enter the following lines:
Package: dotnet*
Ping: origin ""
Pin-Priority: -1
# sudo vi /etc/apt/preferences.d/dotnet
If your local domain is .local, you need to amend the resolved.conf file to fix an issue with Linux Proxy with a .local AD domain name. Edit the file and remove the hash from DNS and Domains fields and add the correct settings (DNS must be space separated).
DNS= x.x.x.x y.y.y.y
Domains= domain.local
# sudo vi /etc/systemd/resolved.conf
Restart the service.
# sudo systemctl restart systemd-resolved.service
Resume the installation
When the Ubuntu settings are configured, you can complete the Linux Backup Proxy creation. Click Finish.
The created Linux Backup Proxy.
Repeat the same procedure to create new Backup Proxies that will be used by the system.
Part 2 will cover the creation of Proxy Pools and immutable Backup Repositories to better protect the backups.
