Backup a1TB file server but exclude the data?

[Harleyboy]

We have been using Veeam BR for nearly a year now to backup 18 servers and it works perfectly. We also have a file server which is over a TB in size and was wondering if it was possible to backup the server but exclude the data using Veeam? Is this possible.

[Gostev]

backup the server but exclude the data

Hi, what exactly do you mean by that?

[averylarry]

You can exclude virtual disks. You cannot exclude certain files/folders (other than the pagefile) in the actual guest. If you exclude all the virtual disks, you'll backup the configuration but not the data. If you never want to backup a specific virtual disk, I recommend making it independent so it doesn't mess with snapshots.

If you mean something else, you'll have to help us understand.

[eysfilm]

I'm presuming that your wanting to not backup specific file types (ie: MOV, JPEG, etc.).

If that's the case then, NO. Veeam backups up the entire virtual disk and not at the file level. It's basically taking a vm snapshot and backing up the disk from there.

[Harleyboy]

Hi Guys,
Sorry for slow reply but for some reason I did not receive any emails notifying me of your reply's.
Its a file server that has a virtual disk that has over a TB of data which I do not need to backup. I simply need to backup the VM to restore it into a test lab to make changes to the registry which may break the OS. Not sure how to exclude the virtual disk using Veeam BR.

Many thanks

[veremin]

To exclude the disk from being processed:
(In the GUI): Go the Backup Job Configuration -> Exclusions -> Disks and select neccessary VM disks.

For clear understanding take a look at the User Guide (p.116).

Hope this helps.
Thanks.

[merc123]

Going off memory from a previous job, one thing we did with our file server (1.5TB) was we used a RDM (assuming VMware). We then used the exclusions that v.Eremin stated and clicked "Selected disks" and chose the correct SCSI (x:x) disk.

If the files are on the same disk as the OS then I do not believe there is a method to just back up the OS related files.

[dellock6]

Guys, always remember, Veeam is "disk" based backup, so the smallest element you can backup is a single virtual disks. You cannot backup specific files inside the disks. Dealing with files would mean having some agent inside the VM, and is something Veeam has always stated clearly they do not want to do.

Luca.