B&R Server and Dedicated Backup Network in Remote Site

[saishowaguu2]

Hello.
Looking for some suggestions.

We have Veeam B&R server hosted in our main office.
We want to backup a Virtual Machines on a VMware ESXi cluster in one of our remote offices. However, we want to use a dedicated network for backup traffic.
At the remote site, we have a server for our backup target and a virtual server on the VMware ESXi cluster serving as a proxy. (Both Windows)
The problem is, the dedicated network we want to use for backup traffic is not reachable from our main office, where the B&R server resides.
The backup target and the proxy server in the remote site are connected to 2 networks, one that is reachable from our main office, and the backup network we want to use for backup traffic.

If we configure a preferred network for backup traffic on the B&R server, will it be able to force the traffic for the jobs in the remote site to use the dedicated network even if it is not reachable by the B&R server in the main site?

[wishr]

Hi James,

Yes, it will force all the listed components to utilize the preferred network(s) over the others, however, it will affect the B&R server <---> Proxy communications as well (for example, when B&R will try reaching the Proxy using the preferred network and vice-versa). Since the B&R server does not have access to this network it will failover to the next network that is accessible).

There are some suggestions in existing threads, for example, in that one.

Regards,
Fedor

[saishowaguu2]

Thank you.
Just one more question.
If we have a physical windows server in the remote site also connected to both networks, that has some files on it that we'd like to backup, would the preferred network setting also work for that (veeam windows agent installed)?
If not, is there any other way to force the traffic to go across the dedicated network?

[wishr]

Hi James,

Agent jobs do not utilize proxies, however, the Preferred Network rule affects Source and Target Agent data movers, so it should work.

Btw, in what mode you Agent operates? Is it managed by B&R server, by policy (back up to a B&R repository), or standalone?
As far as I got you would you like to back up to the same B&R repository you back up your VMs to - is this understanding correct?

Thanks,
Fedor

[saishowaguu2]

Hi.
The agent is not yet configured.
Just wondering what would be the best way to configure this extra physical server to send backup traffic over the dedicated network if the preferred network setting does not work for Agent jobs.
And yes, we would like to be backing up this server to the same backup repository as the one being used for VMs.

[wishr]

Hi James,

I've modified my previous message to properly reflect the situation.

Basically, if your Agent operates in Managed mode or Standalone, but targets B&R repository the Preferred Network setting will impact the data flow between the source (located on the machine) and target (located on the repository) Agent data movers (components that pass the backup data between each other).

Moreover, I believe it should be possible to achieve the same using common networking functionality on the OS/network layer(s), but we have not tested such scenarios, so use them at your own risk.

BR,
Fedor