Feature Request: Server 2016 Core

[Justin-DynamicD]

So how do you configure backups on the free edition of VAW in Windows core? it doesn't look to have any command-line options yet if I'm running core I don't have a GUI to click through. I can install it easily enough with chocolatey:

choco install veeam-endpoint-backup-free

but then .... nothing. One my full boxes I get a little task-tray to click through, and the files exist even on minimal in "C:\program files\veeam\..." but those folders don't even get created and commands like "veeamconfig" that exist in Linux seem to be absent here.

So what are the options here?

[Dima P.]

Hi Justin,

Unfortunately, Core edition is currently not supported.

[Justin-DynamicD]

well that's ... poor.

I've also noticed no cli seems to exist in on the windows version, nor powershell cmdlets? With no centralized deployment does the paid version at least supply these bare necessities?

[Mike Resseler]

Hi Justin,

The paid version will have two ways for centralized deployment.

1) Using the API's you can create your policies upfront and then use the deployment tool of your choice (GPO / SCCM / ...)
2) If you have enough endpoints, you can consider our newly Veeam Availability Console which will give you a tool for centralized deployment, discovery and so on

[chadlemke]

I would like to request a feature enhancement. Support for Windows 2016 Core on Windows Endpoint Backup.

I have installed it on a core machine, and backups are completing successfully. However it will not create recovery media.

Thanks!

[Dima P.]

Hello and welcome to the community chadlemke,

Thank you for posting this feature request. Its planned but I can’t provide you an ETA.

[StephanF]

Hi,

just want to add +1 for this request. We are just thinking about using 2016 "core" on some hardware because UI is not needed there. A backup would be needed, of course.

[Dima P.]

Hi Stephan,

Thanks! Noted.

[muhfugen]

Its kind of absurd that Server Core isnt supported. Really, what APIs are you guys using for a remotely managed agent which arent available on Server Core? This is as dumb as Microsoft having desktop experience dependencies on things like Network Policy and Access Services. How many people are really running desktop experience editions if they arent forced to due to vendor dependencies like with NPAS or Exchange?

[Mike Resseler]

Hi Muh,

Because originally our agents were standalone, a UI was needed. This caused it not to work on Core. Now that we released agent management through VBR and the potential to not run it standalone anymore (managed by an agent), it also means (as Dima stated) that our engineers can look into supporting Core.

Hope it makes it a bit more understandable
Cheers
Mike

[rtaggart]

Windows 2012R2 and 2016 core should be supported. I had them running just fine before the latest update and with the console integration you shouldn't require a GUI anymore.

[foggy]

Hi Rob, thanks, this is on our radar and in fact we're working on it as I write this. Thanks!

[vsqloud]

Hi together,

we have a special situation that we are using XenServer and using VeeamBackup with the Option: Windows Agents.
It works greate for all normal Windows Server but we have probelms with the Core-Versions.

veeam will support the windows core server in the future?

[Vitaliy S.]

Hi Michael, some progress is already being done, please review this topic for further reading.

[vsqloud]

Thank you Vitaliy.
Do you have a nonbinding release date for this?

[Vitaliy S.]

Unfortunately, we cannot share any ETA, however it should be available this year.

[ekisner]

Just necroing this thread to +1 it... I'm trying to get my file servers on FCIs, and on the same token would like them to be core - no reason at all for a GUI on any server these days (save for imposed requirements by the developers).

Incidentally, my intended approach was to create an FCI on the production site, then leverage Storage Replicas to push it to a non-clustered volume at the CoLo, and then back up the non-clustered CoLo disk. Got the cluster up and running, set up the VM at the CoLo, went to test the topology... turns out replicating from CSV to standalone is not supported. So I tried to make the CoLo VM a failover cluster with one node, but I can't make the storage clustered storage without changing the disk in such a way that now Veeam can't back it up.

I had some choice words for Microsoft at that point. I've painted myself into a corner, and my choices are nuke the FCI and rebuild from scratch with GUI and then nuke and rebuild again when support comes out, or do without until core support in Veeam comes out "later this year". All in all, a big sigh. Back to square one.

I know you say it's in the works, so I doubt this necro will mean much. But I will post it anyways, because why not!

[Dima P.]

Hello Eric.

Thank you for your post. Core support is planned.

[ronny77]

Hello,

is the support for Windows Core edition on the roadmap or will it not be supported in the future?

kind regards,
Ronny

[Dima P.]

Ronny,

Core support is planned as a part of Agent Management functionality in Veeam B&R. Thanks!

[Regnor]

Ronny,

Core support is planned as a part of Agent Management functionality in Veeam B&R. Thanks.

Hey Dima, what do you mean with agent management? As VBR can already manage agents, are there further enhancements necessary?

[Dima P.]

Since UI concept is not working properly for Core servers the best way to protect it would be 'UIless' agent which we have in Veeam B&R server, so Core support will be provided as a part of Agent Management functionality in Veeam B&R console.

[Regnor]

Does this mean agents deployed via VBR already support Core installations?

[Dima P.]

No, the support is planned for Update 4.

[brian975]

Add my name to the list.
I opened a case to try to get more info and this is the response I got:
"Currently Veeam does not support Windows Server Core edition. There was a Feature request put in on our forums and the support for it will be added to Veeam Backup and Replication Update 4 which currently does not have an ETA."
It's a shame that we still don't have this after 18 months from the first request. Most competitors have Core support.

[wishr]

Hi Brian,

Thank you for the feedback.

We are working on that. Windows Core support will come as a part of Agent Management functionality in Veeam Backup and Replication. We would like to make sure that all the Veeam quality standards are met before making it available.

Please stay tuned for updates.

BR,
Fedor

[chris-au]

Hi,

Is there any update on this? Not much left of the year - is it still likely to be available this year?

[Dima P.]

Hi Chris,

Can provide you the exact date unfortunately, but we are working hard to bring this functionality in the upcoming Update 4. Stay tuned for the announcements and make sure you are subscribed to weekly forum digest. Cheers!

[chris-au]

Thanks Dima,

Can you at least confirm that support will definitely be included in Update 4? I'd like to know before committing to purchasing licenses.

[wishr]

Hi Chris,

Yes, we confirm that. I'd like to mention one more time that the support for Windows Server Core edition will come as a part of Veeam Backup and Replication - Agent Management, not as a part of Agents capabilities.

Thanks,
Fedor