File level backup of cluster resources?

[g8rfreak]

VBR 11. I need to do file level backup of cluster resources. Cluster is Windows 2008 R2 failover cluster.
Let's say I have nodeA, nodeB, nodeC and resource1, resource2. resource1 has a volume that I need to backup some folders but not all.

If I try to add resource1 as an individual computer, that fails. I assume Veeam recognizes it's not actually a computer, but a cluster resource.

I can do a file level backup of a specific node that resource1 is on but I'd have to update the backup job whenever resource1 is moved to another node.

Best way I've found so far is to do a "File Share" backup type with the cluster as the server. Is there a better way?

[Dima P.]

Hello g8rfreak,

If you want to process a cluster disk from a failover cluster you need to use managed by backup server job type in Veeam B&R. It allows you to protect entire cluster and it's disks as well as tracks for possible failover and handles those correctly with incremental backup. Thank you!

[g8rfreak]

I've tried that. In the screenshot you've selected "Server" rather than "Failover cluster".

If selecting type "Server", Veeam won't allow selecting the cluster on the next page. If I select an individual cluster node then I have the problem of changing the job when a resource is moved to another node. If I select the resource name (e.g. resource1) the job fails, saying a host rescan is required but scanning the host fails because it's a cluster resource, not an actual computer.

If selecting type "Failover cluster", I can only do volume level backup.

[Dima P.]

I've tried that. In the screenshot you've selected "Server" rather than "Failover cluster".

You are absolutely right, the screenshot is from our Help Center just to show the option, sorry for the confusion.

If selecting type "Failover cluster", I can only do volume level backup.

Yes, unfortunately we do not provide an option to perform file level backup for a cluster. If you need to protect specific files from a volume you can use failover cluster for a volume level backup and file share backup job aimed for needed folders. Please keep in mind that volume level backup provides the ability to restore entire operating system during Bare Metal Recovery (so this option is recommended if you need to protect entire cluster machine).