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Backup VMs with Passthrough PCIe devices (GPU)
I was wondering if there is a method to backup VMWare guests that have a PCIe device passthrough (such as in our case a GPU).
Backing up such VM failes because VMs with passthrough devices cannot be snapshotted. Is there any way to skip the snapshot and backup the VM using VSS only?
I prefere NOT to shut down the guest.
ESX: 5.5
Veeam: 7
Guests: Server 2012R2
Backing up such VM failes because VMs with passthrough devices cannot be snapshotted. Is there any way to skip the snapshot and backup the VM using VSS only?
I prefere NOT to shut down the guest.
ESX: 5.5
Veeam: 7
Guests: Server 2012R2
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Re: Backup VMs with Passthrough PCIe devices (GPU)
Passthrough disks are automatically skipped from processing, since they can't be snapshotted. Do you mean you want to backup VMs on a file level? Thanks.
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Re: Backup VMs with Passthrough PCIe devices (GPU)
To clarify Vladimir, a passthrough device is different from a passthrough disk, VMware calls this DirectPath I/O. In this case it's the graphic processor passed to the VM directly.
Since this process completely by-passed th VMM (virtual machine manager) and let's the guest os use directly the hardware device, I suspect it's a limit that cannot be avoided when calling VADP libraries. Probably some lab tests are needed, but my feeling the problem cannot be avoided (just like for example vmotion is not supported for obvious reasons)
Luca.
Since this process completely by-passed th VMM (virtual machine manager) and let's the guest os use directly the hardware device, I suspect it's a limit that cannot be avoided when calling VADP libraries. Probably some lab tests are needed, but my feeling the problem cannot be avoided (just like for example vmotion is not supported for obvious reasons)
Luca.
Luca Dell'Oca
Principal EMEA Cloud Architect @ Veeam Software
@dellock6
https://www.virtualtothecore.com/
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Veeam VMCE #1
Principal EMEA Cloud Architect @ Veeam Software
@dellock6
https://www.virtualtothecore.com/
vExpert 2011 -> 2022
Veeam VMCE #1
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Re: Backup VMs with Passthrough PCIe devices (GPU)
I finally found the answer, sadly for the opener, a VM with DirectPath I/O enabled cannot be saved with VADP libraries:
http://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-50/index ... 88613.html
Look at the 3rd bullet point. I'm not even sure it's enough to power off the VM.
Luca.
http://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-50/index ... 88613.html
Look at the 3rd bullet point. I'm not even sure it's enough to power off the VM.
Luca.
Luca Dell'Oca
Principal EMEA Cloud Architect @ Veeam Software
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https://www.virtualtothecore.com/
vExpert 2011 -> 2022
Veeam VMCE #1
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https://www.virtualtothecore.com/
vExpert 2011 -> 2022
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Re: Backup VMs with Passthrough PCIe devices (GPU)
I have a VM with a DirectPath I/O PCIe passthrough (LSI SAS Controller). I can backup the VM without problems as long as it is powered off. Even CBT works.dellock6 wrote:I finally found the answer, sadly for the opener, a VM with DirectPath I/O enabled cannot be saved with VADP libraries:
http://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-50/index ... 88613.html
Look at the 3rd bullet point. I'm not even sure it's enough to power off the VM.
Luca.
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Re: Backup VMs with Passthrough PCIe devices (GPU)
Hi Lars, thanks for the additional information, really appreciated.
Luca.
Luca.
Luca Dell'Oca
Principal EMEA Cloud Architect @ Veeam Software
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https://www.virtualtothecore.com/
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https://www.virtualtothecore.com/
vExpert 2011 -> 2022
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Re: Backup VMs with Passthrough PCIe devices (GPU)
Thanks for the replies.
Is there any way to create Veeam backups without the use of snapshots? e.g. Microsoft VSS only?
I don't like using any other software (such as Windows Backup) to backup VM's with passthrough PCI devices.
Is there any way to create Veeam backups without the use of snapshots? e.g. Microsoft VSS only?
I don't like using any other software (such as Windows Backup) to backup VM's with passthrough PCI devices.
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Re: Backup VMs with Passthrough PCIe devices (GPU)
Veeam does not supports backups at the guest level, they are always done at the hypervisor level using VADP libraries, and thus VMware snapshots.
Luca Dell'Oca
Principal EMEA Cloud Architect @ Veeam Software
@dellock6
https://www.virtualtothecore.com/
vExpert 2011 -> 2022
Veeam VMCE #1
Principal EMEA Cloud Architect @ Veeam Software
@dellock6
https://www.virtualtothecore.com/
vExpert 2011 -> 2022
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Re: Backup VMs with Passthrough PCIe devices (GPU)
No, VM snapshot is still required.DJSnels wrote:Is there any way to create Veeam backups without the use of snapshots? e.g. Microsoft VSS only?
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[MERGED] Veeam Backup VM with Passthrough Device
Hi All,
We are looking at gpu passthrough for VM's for high end users and have the lab working ok, during setup it did state snapshots are not supported with machines that have a passthrough device.
Can this be confirmed or is this something which veeam can overcome, is there any pre/post scripts whcih could be run to alleviate the issue at all such as shut down the vm, take snapshot, then switch vm back on again after the backup.
The vm's will be running windows 10 and are end user based so we can switch off if necessary?
thanks
Lee
We are looking at gpu passthrough for VM's for high end users and have the lab working ok, during setup it did state snapshots are not supported with machines that have a passthrough device.
Can this be confirmed or is this something which veeam can overcome, is there any pre/post scripts whcih could be run to alleviate the issue at all such as shut down the vm, take snapshot, then switch vm back on again after the backup.
The vm's will be running windows 10 and are end user based so we can switch off if necessary?
thanks
Lee
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Re: Backup VMs with Passthrough PCIe devices (GPU)
Your post has been merged into existing discussion. Kindly, check the answers provided above.
Additionally, you can try to backup such VMs from the inside, using Veeam Endpoint Backup.
Thanks.
Additionally, you can try to backup such VMs from the inside, using Veeam Endpoint Backup.
Thanks.
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Re: Backup VMs with Passthrough PCIe devices (GPU)
Hi All,
Long time passed, any news about this Topic with VMware 6.5 or 6.7 and Passthrough GPU ?
thanks
Ulrich
Long time passed, any news about this Topic with VMware 6.5 or 6.7 and Passthrough GPU ?
thanks
Ulrich
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Re: Backup VMs with Passthrough PCIe devices (GPU)
I would dearly love to be able to backup VMs with VMDirectPath devices, but apparently that is a no go. I'd like to pass through 40gbe enet adapter to my 2 win 2012r2 veeam proxies to improve performance, but no luck. I suppose I could install the veeam backup for windows service on those guests?
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Re: Backup VMs with Passthrough PCIe devices (GPU)
Yes, you can use Veeam Agent for Windows.
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Re: Backup VMs with Passthrough PCIe devices (GPU)
Thanks. Waiting for new mellanox cards to arrive to try this ![Smile :)](https://forums.veeam.com/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
![Smile :)](https://forums.veeam.com/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
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Re: Backup VMs with Passthrough PCIe devices (GPU)
Any news on this?
We're trying to add a NVIDIA GPU card (Quadro P2000) via passthrough to a Win2019 server. ESXi is 6.7 U1... still only "Veeam Agent for Windows" as the only backup solution here?
Cheers, Martin
We're trying to add a NVIDIA GPU card (Quadro P2000) via passthrough to a Win2019 server. ESXi is 6.7 U1... still only "Veeam Agent for Windows" as the only backup solution here?
Cheers, Martin
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Re: Backup VMs with Passthrough PCIe devices (GPU)
Yes. Also, the news would come from VMware, not from Veeam - as the limitation is on vSphere side.
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