Replication Licensing

[PaulVM]

Say I have a 3 node cluster each with 2 CPUs

I want to replicate to a DR site configured in a similar manner.

Do I need 6 CPU licenses or 12 CPU license?

[foggy]

Please read the sticky FAQ topic, licensing questions are covered there in detail. You need to license only source hosts.

[dellock6]

Hi Alexander,
a doubt came to my mind. I always knew this behaviour in licensing, and used many times.
But what if I use permanent failover and my replicated VM became the new source VM? In this case I need to license the new source ESXi (either by adding new licenses or by reclaiming them from the previous source ESXi)?.

Thanks.

[foggy]

Luca, in case of permanent failover replicated VM is excluded from the job and is not processed anymore. If you want to replicate the new VM, you should create a new job and if this VM is running on the host that is not licensed, add new license or reclaim the existing one. Also, you can instead just migrate the new VM to the licensed host, of course. So the same rule is applied, actually.

[dellock6]

I know how permanent failover works, but you clarify my doubts about licensing, was as I thought. Thanks!

[danswartz]

So I have been evaluating a solution (which I posted on a few days ago). Production server replicates to backup server. Production server backs up to itself. To save on cost, I'm thinking of only getting a license for the production host. From what I read, the the replication target does not need a license. So, the question: if the production host goes down, and I have to failover to the replicas on the backup host, will that work, or would I need to play with the licensing?

[foggy]

Dan, you're right, replication target host does not need to be licensed and you can failover/failback smoothly without licensing the host were replica VMs reside. However, should the replica VMs become the source ones for the new job (in case of permanent failover), their host needs to be licensed, as stated above. Thanks.

[danswartz]

Okay, this is fine. If I had to permanently failover, it would be because the production host was dead, in which case I would just juggle the license. One last (I hope) question: from what I can tell (reading the FAQs), it sounds like the standard edition is good enough for me, is that correct? Thanks!

[foggy]

it sounds like the standard edition is good enough for me, is that correct?

Both editions are similar in terms of replication, if that is what you mean. Anyway, you can check the editions comparison available at this page and decide which one is better for you. Thanks!

[danswartz]

Sorry for the lack of clarity. Yes, I read that page and as far as I can tell, the extra features in the enterprise edition are not important to me. I want to make sure I can still:

1. Do the hourly replication
2. Do the daily backup
3. Failover to a replica if needed
4. Restore from a backup if needed.
5. Extract file(s) from a backup (I tried something like that to make sure it worked, but I am not sure if that was '1 click restore'?)

[veremin]

1. Yes.
2. Yes.
3. Yes.
4. Yes.
5. Yes.

1-click restore is special feature available in Enterprise Manager that allows restoring granular data from backup file to original location via Web UI. In other words, it doesn’t affect your general ability to restore individual files through VB&R console.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.

[danswartz]

Yes, very helpful, thanks.

[veremin]

You’re welcome. Should any other questions arise, don’t hesitate to let’s know.

Thanks.

[danswartz]

I cut things a little too close. My trial license expires in 2 days. I went through the 'request a quote' link on the veeam site a couple of days ago, but haven't yet heard back. I'd rather not have my hourly/daily jobs suddenly stop working

[Vitaliy S.]

Dan, I've just pinged our sales dep with your contact information.

[danswartz]

thanks!

[danswartz]

I got a voicemail while I was out from someone in sales wanting to talk to me. I haven't (yet) called back. I have no idea why he needs to talk to me. I want to purchase one standard edition license for V&R. I don't want an attempt to up-sell me or anything else. Frankly, it's a little annoying there is no way to do this online

[danswartz]

Okay, this is weird. I got a reseller and got the order put through, but too late to get a license until monday. My B&R app is showing the trial enterprise license as being expired, but the replication jobs are still running?

[Vitaliy S.]

Dan, Veeam B&R service is responsible for license verification. This check happens on the internal schedule and it seems like you were lucky enough to run your jobs prior to this check. Thanks!

[danswartz]

Heh, well, I had spoken too soon. Several hours later, no jobs for me. I'm waiting for my order to get processed so I can get B&R working again...

[danswartz]

What a pain. I got an order in with a reseller just before COB Friday. I am now told it could take up to 3 business days. This should be something you guys can do automated instead of making me jump through hoops like this, but even so, 3 days? Really? During which, "no replication for you!"

[Vitaliy S.]

Dan, I have just asked the sales rep who is responsible for your region to send you a temp trial key while you're waiting.

[danswartz]

thanks.