Restoring backups to a smaller physical disk

[yusufn]

Hi, I have a question I'm hoping someone can definitively answer...

I've just started testing Veeam and so far seems very good so far but have run in to a problem which I'm sure must have a workaround, or I may just have missed something simple.

Scenario:
Computer has an OS Disk of 80GB - Partition1 - 350MB System Reserved - Partition2 size is 74.2GB
Only 20GB is in use. After a backup, the size of the image file is 10GB.

Now lets say this disk fails, and I have a spare 60GB replacement disk lying around. I should (I believe) be able to restore the backup image to the spare 60GB disk (as I can with other backup applications). However, Veeam will not allow me to as it wants to create a partition of 350MB (which it does) and another "OS" partition of 74.2GB - which obviously this cannot do on a 60GB disk, as shown here: http://puu.sh/iMQ9I/f01ed8e891.png

Is there any way at all to restore this backup to a smaller physical disk with enough free space to accept the backup restore?

Thanks in advance,

Y.

[Gostev]

Hi. Currently, this is not possible - but we are adding this feature to the next version, which will be released in about 1 month from now. Thanks!

[Homer-S]

Hello,
I did a BMR Backup with endpoint (great tool!). It shows a disk size of 279,4GB.
After change of my raid controller the identically disk is showing 0,5GB less which leads in a big error. I can not recover this backup to this drive ...

Do you have any help for this issue?

Thanks

[Vitaliy S.]

Hi Homer,

Restoring volumes to the smaller partition is not possible. The only thing you can do is to add disks with more capacity to your RAID or restore files/folders you need via FLR wizard.

Thanks.

[Homer-S]

The "funny" thing is that is the identically drive and it is only used for 35%. Rest of space is unused, free ...

[hoFFy]

As a workaround, try to use another RAID Level (RAID0), restore data, shrink the partition(s) in Windows, create a new full backup, recreate RAID, restore, expand partitions in Windows

[yusufn]

As a workaround, try to use another RAID Level (RAID0), restore data, shrink the partition(s) in Windows, create a new full backup, recreate RAID, restore, expand partitions in Windows

Thanks to all for the replies. Shrinking the partition in Windows prior to backing up should work, thanks for that! But as this feature will be added in the next version I will just be patient.

Great product, well done Veeam Team!

[Dima P.]

Hi guys,
Thanks for the feedback! Shrink functionality will be available soon, make sure you have ‘Automatically check and notify me on available updates’ checkbox enabled in the Endpoint's Control Panel

[Homer-S]

Hello,

I solved it.
First step was installing WS2008R2 new on the initial drive.
2nd step was to do a veeam restore on a bigger drive including the new raid drivers. It was done like a charm.
last step was booting with GParted and I deleted the partition with the brand new installation of WS2008 and copied the recovered one at this place.

It is running again.

[Dima P.]

Homer-S,
Thanks for the heads up – valid workaround indeed!

[yusufn]

Hi all, apologies for a late "Thank you" to everyone for the replies! Great to hear this will be an option in the future. Well done again Veeam Team!

[Dima P.]

You are welcome Yusuf! Make sure you have "Automatically check notify me on available updates" option enabled as 1.1 upgrade is just around the corner