VSS not supported under XP64, alternative approaches?

[awiesen]

Hi all,

I recently discovered that Veeam can't back up an XP 64 bit VM using VSS. I was surprised, because it can do it for 32 bit XP VMs. Has anyone ran into this problem and found a workaround or alternative approach to ensure that data is transactionally consistent on 64 bit XP VMs? I'd hate to have to switch my VM's OS just to ensure consistent backup data.

- Alex

[Gostev]

Alex, are you using Veeam Backup 3.1 or later, and what error are you getting?

[awiesen]

I'm using 3.1.1. The error I get is:

Failed to perform Veeam VSS freeze: guest OS "winXPPro64Guest" is not supported

I sent an email to support, and they said that Windows XP 64 bit was not supported with VSS. (However, the web site claims that every VSS capable version of Windows is supported in Veeam. I have no problem with our 32 bit XP VMs; VSS works fine for them.)

- Alex

[Gostev]

Alex, I suggest that you use VMware VSS integration instead. Since you are not running server applications (DC, Exchange) on your guests, you do not really need to leverage Veeam VSS that adds proper handling of such applications (comparing to VMware VSS).

[awiesen]

Sorry, what's VMware VSS integration? How do I use that? I just see the VSS check box in Veeam itself, when defining back up jobs.

Thanks in advance,

- Alex

[Gostev]

VMware VSS intergration is an optional component of VMware Tools. If installed, it will be used during VMware guest quiescence process when the snapshot is created.

[awiesen]

As far as I can tell, VMWare does not have VSS integration in VMWare tools except for Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008. It does not show up in the VMWare tools for XP64 anywhere, you can't modify the settings like you can with VMWare tools on Server 2003/2008, and the custom installer for the tools is missing the VSS option.

So is it safe to assume there's no way to do this, then?

Meanwhile, I'd suggest Veeam updates their documentation so that people like me don't pursue a solution with Veeam for VMs that aren't supported. I read this information on the website and naturally assumed that Veeam could do VSS backups of XP64. (It can do VSS backups of XP32.) The last line should probably be amended: "With version 3.0, all VS aware Windows OS versions are supported, including Windows 2008. However, Windows XP 64 bit is not supported at this time."

"Veeam Backup & Replication leverages Windows Volume Shadow
Copy Service (VSS) functionality to ensure consistent backups of
the applications within your virtual machines. Unlike other vendors
featuring limited VSS support, Veeam provides the most
complete implementation of VSS support, equipping you for
proper restore of VSS-aware applications (e.g. Active Directory,
Exchange) from the created backups. With version 3.0, all VSS aware
Windows OS versions are supported, including Windows
2008."

in http://www.veeam.com/veeam_backup_datasheet_ds.pdf.

[Gostev]

Oh, I did not realize VMware option is only available for 2003 and 2008, sorry... this changes things - let me investigate in more details why XP64 VSS support is not there and whether we can add it with 4.0 release.