How to backup particual snapshot state

[drpooh]

We have VM with many snapshots and decided to delete them all. But before doing that we need to backup some of VM states (snapshots). One way is to shutdown VM, take one more snapshot, then revert to desired state, backup it. Then next revert to next desired state and backup it. After all revert to snapshot we did before backup and delete all snapshots. It's time consuming. VM will be down for long time. Another way is to shutdown VM, copy it's folder, register with different name and do revert&backup while main VM is working.
Question: it there any way to do backup without shutdowns and reverts? As I understand when VM with many snapshots is backuped it's date is taken from base vmdk and subsequent snapshots. And VM when reverted to snapshot reads its data the same way. So why can't we choose which state of VM with snapshots to backup?

[Vitaliy S.]

Hello,

Veeam B&R is using VADP (vStorage API for Data Protection) to backup/replicate VMware VMs, which in turn does not allow to preserve existing snapshot tree for the backed up VM. During backup/replication job all existing snapshots are merged to the parent virtual disk, and I guess the easiest way to backup this tree is to copy the entire VM folder to a new location.

Thanks!

[Gostev]

That is, shutdown VM and use copy functionality under Files tab in Veeam Backup & Replication.

[dfernandez]

Hi,

I have a query regarding backing up VM's that contain snapshots. I do not have a test environment to check this, hence the post. I have a VM with a few snapshots that I need to preserve by backing them up using Veeam and storing them on tape. When Veeam backups up such a VM, does it preserve the snapshots as well or does it only backup the running state. I need to confirm this as there might be a requirement to restore the VM at a later date and revert back to some snapshots.

Thanks in advance

[tsightler]

Only the current running state is backed up.

[emtunc]

What does Veeam do if there is an existing snapshot on a VM ? Assuming two possible scenarios; an incremental and an active full.

[foggy]

In addition to the above, in case of existing snapshots, CBT could sometimes not work for VMs that have one or more snapshots before backup start (VMware limitation). Before running backup and replication jobs, it is recommended to delete VM snapshots, so that the job can enable CBT on all processed VMs. Inability to enable CBT results in the fact that Veeam B&R has to read the whole disks to verify those blocks that need to be processed.

[emtunc]

In addition to the above, in case of existing snapshots, CBT could sometimes not work for VMs that have one or more snapshots before backup start (VMware limitation). Before running backup and replication jobs, it is recommended to delete VM snapshots, so that the job can enable CBT on all processed VMs. Inability to enable CBT results in the fact that Veeam B&R has to read the whole disks to verify those blocks that need to be processed.

Hmm okay so it sounds like backups for that particular VM could get corrupted if a snapshot exists? Is there a way to disable CBT per VM? Looks like there's a way to do it for a specific job but not by VM. I am happy to use PowerShell if it means I can disable CBT for a VM.

[foggy]

Hmm okay so it sounds like backups for that particular VM could get corrupted if a snapshot exists?

No, it does not sound like that. You are able to successfully backup VMs with snapshots, however this could take longer time due to inability to use CBT. No need to disable CBT, it will be used in case it is enabled, otherwise our proprietary algorithm will be used to calculate blocks that should be transferred.

[veremin]

Additionally, even by the means of PowerShell CBT can be enabled/disabled on the job level only.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.

[leiw]

Hello,

Is it can include or exclude VMware snapshots during the setting ?

Thanks

[JohnnyJungle]

Hi,

I can use Veeam to replicate VM's from one DC to another, but it is not replicating the VM's snapshot.

I know Veeam is taking a new snapshot, which it then replicates - the problem is the VM has a number snapshots which I want to replicate as well. Will I just have to revert the VM to that snapshot and then replicate it, so creating more VM's at the other DC

Cheers

JohnnyJungle

[veremin]

Hi, John, the only way to preserve VM snaphshots I can think of is to use File Copy Job in order to copy all VM files, including snapshots. Once copied, these files can be registered at the target site.

Thanks.

[baber]

Hi.

i have use veeam backup & replication 7 now i create a snapshot from my virtual machine but when i replicate my virtual machine on the other host my snapshot that i have been created previously not replicated with machine on new host now what do i have to do ? this problem has been solved in new veeam backup and replicatete 8 ?

now what do i have to do ?
how can i replicate my virtual machine with all of my snapshots? because when i click on snapshot manager it just show 1 snapshot that has been created when vm is replicate

[Vitaliy S.]

vStorage API does not support replication of snapshots, so you should be using other Veeam jobs (mentioned in this thread) to replicate this data. Out of curiosity, why do you keep these snapshots on your production VMs?

[emachabert]

Did you read this : http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1025279

[baber]

hi

i have installed veeam backup and replication 7 now i have a problem i create a backup and replicate a vm that have some snapshot on the other host but in new host that machine there is not any snapshot but i need to my snapshots now how can i use my snapshots on new host

[emachabert]

Vitaliy already gave you the answer.
Veeam does not replicate snapshots, because VMware vStorage API does not allow it.

You need to use a different method, like copying the full VM directory

[veremin]

Baber,

Just out of curiosity - what is the main reason of using snapshots on the given VM? Is it something related to reverting to the previous state quickly? If so, doesn't quick rollback functionality answer this requirement?

Thanks.

[Gerbrand]

Hi,

I am testing Veeam for full back-upping of VMs. We use ESXI 6.5, it all seems to work fine. But I can't find an option to back-up (and restore) VMs including snapshots that are made in VMware. When I restore now the snapshots are not there.

I found some posts from 2010 that the API of Vmware doesn't support the back-up of snapshots.

[DGrinev]

Hi and welcome to the community!

You can simply copy the VM directory to preserve snapshots, as Veeam B&R cannot backup them due to VMware limitations.
Please review this thread for additional information. Thanks!

[Gerbrand]

thnx,
What if I need to restore, I use Veeam B&R to fully rerstore a VM?
But can I add the snapshots that I lost this way?

Or should I do a file copy job and restore from there? the disadvantage is that it won't compressed?

[foggy]

From the backup you can restore just the VM state it was in while it was backed up, snapshots are not backed up. If you use file copy job to copy the entire VM files set to another location, you will be able to register this set as a new VM in virtual environment and revert to any of the snapshots.