Host-based backup of VMware vSphere VMs.
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Backup.Operator
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Group Managed Service Accounts (gMSA) for Veeam & vCenter ?

Post by Backup.Operator »

According to the latest Veeam Backup v12 documentation, Group Managed Service Accounts (gMSA) are supported for Veeam Service Accounts.

How do I accomplish that for my Veeam Backup server?
What privileges should I assign to the VMware vCenter when using this gMSA?

Anything of help would be much appreciated.
:arrow: :mrgreen:
Mildur
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Re: Group Managed Service Accounts (gMSA) for Veeam & vCenter ?

Post by Mildur » 1 person likes this post

Hi Backup Operator

Where do you have seen that you can use gMSA for vCenter Connection?
gMSA can be used for guest processing tasks. Such as Application Aware Processing or Guest OS File restore.

Best,
Fabian
Product Management Analyst @ Veeam Software
Backup.Operator
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Re: Group Managed Service Accounts (gMSA) for Veeam & vCenter ?

Post by Backup.Operator »

From https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... ml?ver=120
So I wonder is there any procedure I can follow to replace all of my service account with gMSA?
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Mildur
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Re: Group Managed Service Accounts (gMSA) for Veeam & vCenter ?

Post by Mildur »

I read on top of this page:
- You can use gMSAs to run guest processing tasks.

Nothing about other components or vSphere connection.

Best,
Fabian
Product Management Analyst @ Veeam Software
albertwt
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Re: Group Managed Service Accounts (gMSA) for Veeam & vCenter ?

Post by albertwt »

@Backup.Operator,

The gMSA is the service account that will be used by Veeam to interact with the Windows Guest OS, this is the way I create the gMSA for my Veeam Service account:

Code: Select all

$paramNewADServiceAccount = @{
   Name                                       = 'gMSA-Veeam'
   DNSHostName                                = 'gMSA-Veeam.domain.com'
   PrincipalsAllowedToRetrieveManagedPassword = 'gMSA-Veeam-grp'
   Description                                = 'Veeam service account can only be used by gMSA-Veeam-grp AD group members'
}

New-ADServiceAccount @paramNewADServiceAccount 
Therefore as you can see from the above method, you will need to add the Windows computer to the AD security group that will be using the guest processing methods.

Hope this helps.
--
/* Veeam software enthusiast user & supporter ! */
Backup.Operator
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[MERGED] Using Group managed service accounts (gMSAs) as Veeam backup service account?

Post by Backup.Operator »

Would it be possible to use the Group managed service accounts (gMSAs) for the Veeam Backup service account?

Because I cannot even add the existing and the newly created Group managed service accounts (gMSAs) to the builtin Veeam Credentials manager:
Image

Any clarification would be appreciated.
:arrow: :mrgreen:
HannesK
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Re: Group Managed Service Accounts (gMSA) for Veeam & vCenter ?

Post by HannesK » 1 person likes this post

Hello,
it looks like you asked the same question above and my colleague quoted the user guide
user guide wrote:You can use gMSAs to run guest processing tasks.
Question: why do you want to run the service with gMSA instead of LOCAL SYSTEM? Which problem do you try to solve?

I cannot follow what the credentials screenshot is showing. It looks different for me https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... ml?ver=120

Best regards,
Hannes
Backup.Operator
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Re: Group Managed Service Accounts (gMSA) for Veeam & vCenter ?

Post by Backup.Operator »

Hi @

I am trying to secure the Service Account using the gMSA as the best practice where possible since there is no need for remembering and rotating passwords.

Can I add the gMSA to the below vCenter role using this script https://github.com/falkobanaszak/vCente ... _Veeam.ps1
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Mildur
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Re: Group Managed Service Accounts (gMSA) for Veeam & vCenter ?

Post by Mildur »

Hello

You cannot use a gMSA for the authentication between Veeam and vCenter.
Even if you use Falko's script to give gMSA vCenter permissions, Veeam wouldn't be able to use it.

Best,
Fabian
Product Management Analyst @ Veeam Software
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