Size of backups

[MarkusHaf]

So I need some help with understanding how the size of backups work, I am backuping entire pc daily on week days while keeping restore points for 1 day. So how exactly would did work, when I first created the job, it asked be if it does a first time backup and I said yes. The first backup was around 15gb (22 hours ago) while the second was around 3gb(it probally just saves changes?). So how will deletion work, will agent delete the first backup in 2 hours or is the first backup kept as a original copy and the second will be deleted when the third is created?

[Mildur]

Hi Markus

I assume, you don't have enabled regular full backups.
After the initial full backup, Veeam Agent will create a new incremental backup (*.vib) each time when the job runs. The oldest incremental backup file (*.vib) will then be merged with the full backup file (*.vbk). Backup sessions after the full backup (*.vbk) will only back up changed data (data blocks of your volume/drives) to a VIB file.

So how will deletion work, will agent delete the first backup in 2 hours or is the first backup kept as a original copy and the second will be deleted when the third is created?

We cannot delete the second backup and keep the initial full backup. The third backup would not be recoverable.
With Forward Incremental backups, the entire chain (Full Backup + all VIB files) are required for a restore of a chosen restore point.

Your Full Backup file and oldest incremental file will be merged to a new full backup file. We provide an animation as a KB article:
Forever Forward Incremental --> https://www.veeam.com/kb1932?ad=in-text-link#ffi


Best,
Fabian

[MarkusHaf]

I really appreciate the answer but I have a few more questions if you dont mind. So the free version on veeam agent only allows Forever Incremental-Forward (which is default from my understanding) and Forward Incremental with Active Full (it becomes this if you enable active full backups), also it does not offer synthetic full backups right?
Based on this https://imgur.com/a/1oUz1xN the best option would be to choose Forward Incremental with Active Full since its resistant to corrupted saves. I just have a question regarding my settings, do these make the most sense and https://imgur.com/a/neHrleG , also am I understanding this right https://imgur.com/a/y0MdCIF and finally if you choose to restore from a backup, does it do a full backup then and continues with jobs like it would be a fresh start? Again thanks for answering.

[Mildur]

Hi Markus

You're welcome.

So the free version on veeam agent only allows Forever Incremental-Forward (which is default from my understanding) and Forward Incremental with Active Full (it becomes this if you enable active full backups), also it does not offer synthetic full backups right?

Correct. You can find a feature comparison for our Agent editions here:
https://www.veeam.com/veeam_agents_feat ... son_ds.pdf

Forward Incremental with Active Full since its resistant to corrupted saves

One of the reason for corrupted backups is choosing an unstable storage solution for your backups. We are seeing the most cases with corrupted backups when using SMB and consumer NAS devices. Regular Active Full backups will make sure, that you don't rely on the same blocks. Forever forward incremental always rely on all stored blocks on your storage. With Active Full backups, you will create a new backup chain with fresh data blocks.

I just have a question regarding my settings, do these make the most sense and https://imgur.com/a/neHrleG also am I understanding this right https://imgur.com/a/y0MdCIF

With your setting, you will have backup files between 7-12 days on your disk. If the backup runs each day of the week. You will also need to have the space to store at least 2-3 full backup files.
We cannot delete the oldest VBK and it's VIB files before the newest backup chain has reached 5 new daily backups. This is explained in this user guide page:
https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... ml?ver=120

The VBK and VIB files are required to restore a backups from newer VIB files in the same chain.
Also with regulars full backups in the job setting, there won't be any merge as you have commented in your screenshot. This merge only happens if you disable the full backups in the job.

Best,
Fabian