File Server Shadow Copy activated and VBR backup

[JLundgren]

Hello,

is it supported to activate Shadow Copy on a Windows File Server and still use VBR VSS based backup ?

I have a customer who claims that user Shadow Copy history disappears intermittently on their file server and he suspects VBR as the cause.

[david.domask]

Hi JLundgren,

Yes, this is supported, however, keep in mind that Veeam will utilize the same VSS system when performing Application Aware Processing, which means that all of the usual behaviors of VSS will be followed, for example you'll often see event 25 from volsnap if the shadow copy max storage space configured is breached and VSS needs more space for an additional shadow copy.

I would check the System and Application event log on the file server and look for volsnap events. If you're not able to get an understanding from the Event logs, feel free to open a support case and Support can look.

That being said, there is some wisdom in not using the in-guest shadow copies and rely on regular incremental backups to protect the data, and if the goal is end-users can self-service, consider Enterprise Manager to offer this.