Backing up VBO repo using File to Tape without VSS

[Marcus1414]

I have one physical server that is installed with VBR backup proxy + Repo, and also VBO server+proxy+repo. I need to backup the VBO repo to tape. Initially I'm trying to use the Veeam agent to backup the VBO repo to local disk then backup to tape. However, I got error message saying the VSS failed to create job. After certain checking it seems like due to VSS limitation as VSS supports maximum 64TB of volume while my D drive in the physical server size is >100TB.

So in this case I'm trying to look for alternative to backup VBO repo to tape. I do not have the resource to add new LUN/storage/create new VM. Meanwhile, the existing drive is also not shrinkable because of ReFS filesystem. Thus, I'm thinking to use File to Tape backup without ticking the VSS processing and use pre & post script for the job. Is this a recommended way and anything I would need to be aware of?

[Mildur]

Have a look at this topic.
It‘s a similar question from another user. (—— I now see, it‘s from yourself.——)
The topic is also VBO to Tape Backup.

veeam-backup-for-office-365-f47/vbo-rep ... 75776.html

[Marcus1414]

I actually checked with the Veeam presales previously on this and what I received from them is to avoid using File to Tape backup, that's why I would like to reconfirm it again to see if there's any impact or not. And I'm not sure should I just reply back to the post I created earlier as it has been created long time ago, so just thought of creating a new one. I do apologize for that

[Mike Resseler]

Markus,

It is not possible I'm afraid as the VBO repo are running databases. The only way to do this is actually to stop the VBO service first, do the backup of the folder to tape, and then restart the service. However, before you would do this, I advice to check if you can reattach such a repository to a new VBO installation, or simply with the Veeam explorers and see if you can retrieve data from the restored folder directly connecting to the databases. I don't think we have tested such a scenario at this point in time

[Marcus1414]

Hi Mike,

Yes for the File to Tape job I will create 2 script as pre & post script which will stop the VBO proxy service before the job run and start the service after the job. I've simulated this in test lab and I was able to add the database into Veeam explorers. Just that I can't see any other hidden errors from there since we are actually copying and pasting the folders to tape since we are not using VSS. If anyone has done this before its good that I could have some reference or experience sharing.