Veeam 12.2.0.334 Hardened Linux Repository - Debian or Ubuntu?

[sarnold]

We've been on Veeam 12.2.0.334 since it came out and have had Ubuntu based hardened repositories for a couple years now. The hardware is aging and I'm preparing new servers to add into the SOBR, move whatever backups I can to the new server extents, and age out the immutable backups on the current extents and then remove those servers from the SOBR.

The question I have is whether to go Debian or Ubuntu this time around. All servers in the SOBR are currently Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, and I'd be considering Debian for it's rock solid reliability, lean installation, and reputation for security, among other things. However, I know Ubuntu is very popular amongst hardened repositories out there for Veeam. I see both are supported as a repository server. Is there a preferred way to go or an absolutely compelling reason to choose one over the other?

I'd imagine my documented methods for repository setup on either will be quite similar, given that Ubuntu is Debian based. The one concern I have with Debian is that, while the Veeam 12 documentation states in the repository server section that Debian is indeed supported, it specifically says Debian 10.0 to 12.2 as the supported versions. Debian 12.8 is the latest and is what a fresh install of Debian 12 will give me. Now, the page does say at the bottom that it's been updated just last week for Veeam 12.3, and I'd imagine Debian 12.8 is just fine, but I don't want to risk it if the article specifically mentions up to Debian 12.2 for a reason. Since Debian minor versions do increment often via updates, it may be safer to go with Ubuntu 24.04, which stays at 24.04 until I specifically upgrade to the inevitable 26.04 down the road.

Thanks in advance!

[d.artzen]

Until now we have also used Ubuntu 22.04 on our hardened Repo and like you said that works fine.
Since you are getting new hardware you could also consider using the new Managed Hardened Repository ISO from Veeam that is discussed here: veeam-backup-replication-f2/managed-har ... 96192.html
They use Rocky Linux for that and take care of everything on the box, so you would not have to interact with the linux at all.

[JaySt]

please also consider the hardware you'll be deploying the OS on. HPE for example, has pretty good statements for Ubuntu. Ubuntu has also some pretty good compatability statements on HPE hardware support. Not sure how Debian does on those support statements. Ubuntu has been rock solid for the past years for this use case in our experience and i would be convinced with pretty good arguments to change to something different. However, requirements can differ between environments which could steer to one or the other.

regarding the Managed Hardened Repository ISO: it's still a bit experimental, but with support from Veeam and therefor you could consider allocating some time and effort. I'd be careful deploying it in production and get started testing with it first.