Licensing Instances Question

[vmbackuper]

We recently renewed our Veeam License, Perpetual, Enterprise Edition, for 4 CPU sockets.

We're running backups of VMWare virtual machines, as well as 4 Linux Backup Agents.

Our backups are running ok according to Veeam B&R Dashboard, but the Licensing Summary in Backup Enterprise
Manager states that we have Licenses for 4 Instances.

The message says: "You have exceeded your instance license limit by 2 instances and are no longer compliant with your
Veeam licensing agreement. Please install a license for at least 6 instances."

For Sockets it states:
vSphere: 4 Used, 4 licensed

(we have no Hyper-V)

For Instances:
Servers 4
Multiplier 1.5
Instances 6

(we have no Workstations)

So my question is, does this mean there is a problem?

As said our backups appear to be running ok, but I am concerned about this Licensing message.

Also are we supposed to receive free license instances as well? Does this cover us? I'm puzzled as to why Veeam tells me we need more licenses, and yet our backups are still running ok.

[Egor Yakovlev]

Greetings, vmbackuper!

Everything seems to be inline:

- Veeam gives free instances to all perpetual customers for free, at the rate of 1 per licensed CPU socket, up to 6 total free instances.
- In your case, you have 4 CPU licenses, means you get free 4 instances to use
- You are trying to protect 4 agents with Server edition. That requires 4*1.5(server edition multiplier)=6 instance licenses. Unfortunately, you don't have enough free ones, that's why message pops up asking for a bigger license. And yes, there is a problem - you don't have enough licenses to protect your servers using free instances.
- Note: you can still use Workstation edition instead of server(even when backing up server OS), which has less functionality, but requires x1 multiplier, making it possible to backup those 4 servers you have for now.
- Note: once you add paid instance license, your free instances will be gone.

TLDR: to backup 4 linux servers using Veeam Agent Server edition you need 6 instances. Feel free to reach Veeam Partner of choice and request a quote for 1 pack of instances. That will do the trick.

Hope that helps!

[Gostev]

I'm puzzled as to why Veeam tells me we need more licenses, and yet our backups are still running ok.

We're that nice however, of course this is not a situation you want to remain in long term, because you're not in compliance with your Veeam licensing agreement.

[lx19]

Though reading a lot answers regarding licenses I unfortunately didnt get the point regarding perpetual socket licenses and agents completely.
How many agents will I be allowed to backup in a (lots of sockets) perpetual/socket/enterprise plus based environment in future?
That will be 6, right? No matter ho much sockets are licensed?
thanks,
rgds
alex

[wishr]

Hi Alex,

Correct, you get up to 6 instances (in the case with 6 sockets being purchased), that allow you backing up to 6 servers (Agent Server Edition) or 18 workstations (Agent Workstation Edition) or a mix of these. Please refer to our licensing policy for more info, note sections 2.1.1 and 2.3.

"For all Perpetual Licenses with CPU Sockets, Veeam Backup & Replication and Veeam ONE products will enable additional FREE Instance licenses to be available for use - one Instance per each CPU Socket with a maximum of 6 Instances. In case the Subscription License Key is installed, the FREE Instances will no longer be available. This applies as well to license keys merged from Perpetual and Subscription licenses."

Thank you

[gummett]

As this just came up in a search result I wanted to clarify that the policy on the free/gifted licenses has since changed, and they are always available to socket license customers:
https://www.veeam.com/licensing-policy.html

2.3. Gifted (Built-in) product license
For all Perpetual Licenses with Sockets, Veeam Backup & Replication and Veeam ONE products will enable additional FREE Instance licenses to be available for use - one Instance per each Socket with maximum of 6 gifted Instances.

[wishr]

Correct, this change was a part of the v10 release.