Veeam Backup 3.1 installation & backup

[stevenfoo]

We just purchase and received our license for veeam backup 3.1

We have about 4 esx server and couple of vm(s) on each esx host.

I read that Veeam cannot backup itself when installed in a VM where default sql express reside.

1) Is it possible to install Veeam to use our existing old MSSQL 7.0 database server ?
Or it is recommended to install a MSSQL SQL Express 2005 on another VM and make connection to it during the installation ?

2) If we stop the VSS service in windows and do not use VSS itself during backup, could Veeam backup itself in a VM ?

3) Are Veeam going to improve this so that it can backup itself ? Else will Veeam backup be install on small linux box in the future
to reduce customer to have window license just for Veeam backup.

Thanks
Steven

[Vitaliy S.]

Hello Steven,

1. Unfortunately, an existing old MSSQL 7.0 database is not supported to install Veeam DB. Yes, that's right you can point to a remote SQL 2005 DB during the installation. This is the recommended way to deploy Veeam Backup.

2. We do not recommend not to use VSS on transactional application like SQL, Exchange server e.t.c., cause backing up and replicating a running virtual machine without quiescencing or VSS may result in inconsistent backup or replica. Enabling VSS integration option allows creating a transactionally consistent backup image of a VM, which, in contrast to a crash‐consistent backup image, ensures successful VM recovery, as well as proper recovery of all applications installed on the VM without any data loss.

3. Yes, we are looking for ways to address configuration data backup. If you cannot use remote SQL, we recommend that you backup Veeam Backup DB , and if the Veeam Backup Server crashes, you are able to restore Veeam DB, attach it to your new installation, in this case you'd have all your configuration data saved. Also, please note that you do not need configuration database in order to be able to restore your backups.

[stevenfoo]

Thanks for information.

I hope that Veeam to come out with a solution soon where it can backup itself.

It makes business sense to have that done. Also in term of technology wise.

Veeam shows a great flaw in the product in this way. Once you cover it up, it's soon be going to be good!

Keep up the good work and intro more feature that reduce your customer cost as well.
- able to run Veeam in lunix is a good start.

Regards
Steven

[stevenfoo]

Some other question:

1) If we install a sql express edition 2005, will veeam support the upgrade to sql standard version of 2005 or 2008?
Any documentation where we can find to do that?

2) Is Veeam supporting sql 2000 ?

3) How long will sql express edition 2005 (which has limit of 4GB space) store the history backup data log, etc information? Could it keep up to 7 years with that limit of 4GB? What are estimation space usage based on 20 VMs daily backup logs, etc per day?

4) If we going to upgrade from sql express edition 2005 to 2008 or to a standard version, will Veeam provide any guides to do that correctly?

5) Will Veeam open up to support other free database (postgresql, mysql, etc) which able to support more than 4GB and it's free?
This will enable customer to cut cost and dependent on MSSQL.

Thanks
Steveb

[Gostev]

Hello Steven,

1) Yes, you can upgrade SQL Express to 2005 standard (and to 2008, when support for SQL 2008 is added). I assume the upgrade is done in-place, but you should refer to Microsoft SQL server documentation for more information.

2) SQL 2000 is not supported (no plans to support it).

3) Veeam Backup stores very little data in SQL, only jobs configuration and session history (one per job run). Thus, the total size of data depends on the amount of jobs, and jobs' schedule (how often the jobs run).

4) Veeam is not really in position to provide instructions and recommendations for 3rd party product upgrades, best practices etc. You should contact SQL server vendor (Microsoft) for this type of documentation. We do not have any special requirements from our product's side (I would recommend to double check with our support when you are about to start actual upgrade). Of course, Veeam will support its customers in cases when SQL upgrade results in issues with Veeam Backup. Generally, we don't expect customers to experience SQL upgrade related issues with Veeam Backup. Veeam Backup supports all editions of Microsoft SQL 2005, both locally installed and remote.

5) We are not currently planning to support other databases in short term, because 4GB limitation has never been an issue for our smaller customers before; while all larger customers typically already own licensed SQL server (since MS SQL is required as a backend for many other application).