Backup on multiple VMware environments on same storage

[trackstar]

Hi there,

Just running by your guys. We migrated most VM to the vCenter 7 version in the summer. We have a few VMs that are still running on the standalone VMware ESXI 6.5 (we were not able to migrate on time). All of these VMs are on two separate VMware environments pointing to the same NFS Storage (SAN). We have enough license from the Veeam side to backup the individual single ESXi. Would there be any issues with multiple backups running in this scenario. Just making sure.



Veeam Backup: Build 11.01.1261 P20211123

vCenter: 7.0.3 Build: 19717403

Single standalone ESXi: 6.5 Build 7967591


Thanks,
TT

[PetrM]

Hello,

No issues are expected, this deployment is fully supported. You may refer to our release notes as well.

Thanks!

[Andreas Neufert]

It is important to NOT backup to the same share/folder as you would run into random access issues.
On the NFS server create subfolder for each backup server and make sure that the backups are not seen on the other server.
It is possible to give the other backup server access to the folder for restore purposes, but you can not backup from two environments to the same Repository Folder.

On a block storage (FC/iSCSI) you need to create volumes for each environment (not shared volume).

[trackstar]

Andreas Neufert,

Just to confirm that we are creating the subfolder on the Veeam's end and not the SAN storage side (dedicated SAN for VMware VMs). We have only one backup server. I would need to go onto Backup Repositories and add a backup repository (pointing to new folder). Then create a new backup job and select all the VM's from the old 6.5 environment. The remaining VMs are on NFS share (dedicated SAN for VMware VMs).

[Andreas Neufert]

Ah I misinterpreted you scenario, thinking that you backup to the NFS storage.

You can backup from multiple VMware environments with the same Veeam Server (to the same storage if you like). No additional preparation needed. Add the vcenter and the standalone host (or second vcenter) and start to backup.

VMs can be restored from one environment to the other as long as the VM hardware version is compatible.
So you can always restore VMs from the ESXi 6 to vSphere 7.
If you want to restore vSphere7 VMs on the ESXi 6 you need to let the VMs stay on a VM hardware version that is compatible with your ESXi6.
https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1003746

[trackstar]

Thank you for the update information!