How to search data on tape backups

[rajesh.r]

Hi All,

I need to know how to find a file or folder in any of the tape backups without knowing the time period. Not all users can give the exact time period when the data in need existed. They could have lost it without their knowledge and would need it at some critical situation. I have worked in some other tools where we have all the details of the files backed up in the catalog, when the data need to be restored then the particular tape can be recalled and used, but I have not come across something like that in Veeam.

In Veeam, to my knowledge, even to see what files are available in a tape we will need to have the tape loaded and browse the content by reading it (in case of backup to tapes). When we right click on a tape and go to files section, it shows us the backup files in proprietary format. It is not always possible to load all the tapes of the past few years in order to find a single file or folder. Please let me know if there is any option to check the files available in the backups, it would help to recall the specific tape where the data is available.

[david.domask]

Hi rajesh.r, welcome to the forums.

This request is best handled by Enterprise Manager which allows you to perform file searches across all backups regardless of their location.

There are a few nuances to it so take some time to review the linked User Guide page (e.g., if files exist in backups on disk and on tape, the disk backup results are returned), but Enterprise Manager allows for searches across all backups (and backup servers) added to Enterprise Manager; you can even delegate restores scopes with customizable Roles in Enterprise Manager.

[rajesh.r]

Hi David,

Thanks for the response. Does it work only with the Agent backups ? I need to find the files in VM backups (without any guest processing enabled). If I need this feature for the VM backups, should I at least enable guest file system indexing on the backup job ?

[david.domask]

Hi rajesh.r,

Correct, Enterprise Manager Guest Index search works for VM and Agent based backups. You indeed must enable Guest Indexing on the jobs themselves to utilize this feature.