Linux SLES 15 SP6 - Unsupported OS - STILL?!?

[scottolson928]

Hello, Veeam engineers.

I had a ticket open with Veeam Support and they suggested I submit a Feature Request for support of the latest version of Linux SLES 15 SP6. I don't understand or agree that this should be a "Feature Request", because really, this should be just something that is automatically processed when vendors come out with new versions of their Operating System.

Our standard build is now utilizing SUSE Linux 15.6 and we are not able to process agent based backups for our physical infrastructure. This needs to be addressed.

A little timeline of releases from SUSE:

March 07, 2024
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15.6 Public Beta — At this point, Veeam should have been able to begin testing.
• www.suse.com/betaprogram/sle-beta/

April 25, 2024
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15.6 Public Release Candidate — At this point this is considered the ‘golden image’ for 15.6 release barring any particularly grievous issues being found.

June 2024
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15.6 was released.
• www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/SLE-SA ... index.html

It is now 1.5 months later.

Additionally: Independent Software Vendor Partner Program | SUSE CLEARLY AND PROMINENTLY lists Veeam as an ISV partner along with Nutanix and GK Software. We find it, therefore, incredulous to state that Veeam being a SUSE Linux ISV partner was NOT READY at SUSE Linux Enterprise Server GA release to customers.

Please provide us with an updated time schedule for compatibility for this current GA version of the SUSE.

Thank you.

Scott G. Olson

[rovshan.pashayev]

Hello Scott,

Latest SP6 (and SP5) will be supported upcoming releases, as soon as possible. But unfortunately we cannot provide ETA now.

[Gostev]

Barring any technical difficulties due to major changes, Veeam's target for new platform/OS/app versions support has always been 90 days from GA date.

This is driven primarily by approx. how often we have a release vehicle available in principle. Since with the number of platforms/OSes/apps Veeam supports something gets its new version released almost every day, they all have to wait for the next release vehicle - otherwise we would have to ship updates daily

Sometimes the wait will be much less than 90 days because of "lucky" release timing of the protected workload (e.g. for releases some weeks before the immediate cumulative patch) and other times a bit more (for releases too close or right after the current release vehicle).

Rovshan, I assume this is included in 12.2?

[rovshan.pashayev]

Hi Gostev,

Yes, SP6 support is targeted to arrive with 12.2

[scottolson928]

Hello, I understand. Just didn't expect 90 days worth, but I suppose there is a bunch of testing required and like you said there are a large number of OS'es you provide support for. Thank you for your response, Gostev and Rovshan. We look forward to release 12.2 then.
Thanks,
-SGO

[CZAM]

Hello,

I would like to add to this discussion.
I represent a large retailer and we operate SLES 15 on Power, currently SP5 (SP6 soon to come) for SAP HANA, also running Oracle on some systems.
At the moment, IBM Spectrum Protect / TSM is used for backups, but we would like to switch to Veeam (for all backups needs, so file, application and DB aware etc.).
And as system operations is outsourced, it is not solely in our hands, when to perform OS upgrades. Contractual and other constraints have a major say here, too.
The service provider has to follow OS releases thoroughly and timely to meet his contractual obligations, so SP7, 8, .... will come.
So it is absolutely critical for us that Veeam closely follows SUSE's release cycle for SLES on Power and makes sure GA (for ALL agents covering ALL backup needs for SAP HANA systems) is soon after SUSEs' releases for this platform.
Otherwise, will not be able to change from Spectrum Protect / TSM to Veeam (or have o switch back).

Thanks a lot!

[PTide]

Hi CZAM,

Thank you for your input and for highlighting the importance of the issue.

Cheers!

[uk1984]

Hello I also would like to add to this discussion!

We had the scenario with our linux team having "upgraded" their machines to the latest SLES15 SP6 and
having to revert it back to SP5 because the at that time recent VAL (from 12.1) was just not supporting it.
At least we could not do clean new managed installations via VBR.
Therefore had to cancel/postpone a migration projekt.

I can't remember how the effect was on installation with existing VAL where then the SLES15 SP6 update
happened if they still worked or not...

Also I don't know when doin an unmanaged installation, if then that "OS check" also would happen and prevent
it from being installed or if that is just some "dictation" from VBR and does not happen with "unmanaged" installations...

I mean in my opinion it (VAL) should technically be able to install and work.
A change from SP5 to SP6 shouldn't completely "break" a software/product.
That would mean fundamental change how an OS works, can't think that an SP update will do that.
The decision whether Veeam will support it or not should be another independant question.

=> Could you maybe clarify that situation...

---

The second issue and the more important one is indeed the SAP HANA plug-in and the SLES15 SP6 support.
(which with 12.3 from today at least now is finally introduced).
That should have been there with 12.2 with you claim support within a 90 days period...

Also that 90 days period isn't really acceptable.
Veeam is partner of SUSE so you have access to pre-versions for testing.
You must be closer for the readiness of your software to the release of the OS version
or software which you develop software to backup for. Ideally same day support.

Because our SAP and Linux team can't and won't take into consideration additional software
products which realize backup (Veeam) for their maintenances (SAP and OS updates).
We have to have our product (Veeam) ready for their versions at the point when they plan their maintenances.
Otherwise we lose acceptance!

Also I agree with the others that the support pointing out for reaching out to the forum for placing a feature request is definitly the wrong way!
Actively developing your own applications for working with the applications and operating systems they run on should be obvious
and not a "feature request".
I also said to support if Veeam cannot release support with that self-claimed 90 day period and we have issue when we are on the most
recent available release we won't accept answers from support pointing out or refusing support and we will escalate such tickets!

We need a valid statement from Veeam because we cannot administer and take responsibility with things like "should be available within 90 days"
and then still isn't. That is not professional. This needs to be improved!

We currently still have a ticket open for this...

Regarding
Case #07498380 — SLES 15 SP6

Best Regards

[PetrM]

Hi Udo,

Many thanks for the feedback and for pointing out the issue. I agree that we should have included SLES 15 SP6 in our testing plan for the SAP HANA plug-in earlier. Additionally, I will discuss this case with the support team, indeed, it would be more efficient if they informed me directly about such tickets instead of asking to create forum topics.

I will consider possible improvements to the process.

Thanks!