Host-based backup of VMware vSphere VMs.
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mbrowngcs
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Long-Term Storage of a Single Copy of a VM

Post by mbrowngcs »

My organization has the need to retain a single copy of a file server for an indeterminate amount of time. It could be several years. This copy must simply be retained - unchanged - as long as required.

I looked into adding GFS to the job we already have that backs up this particular server. My first thought was to set the GFS to yearly and have it retain that copy for 3-5 years.

After thinking about it more, since this copy only needs to be made once and can then be Ieft alone until it is either needed or no longer needed, I came up with an alternate solution that seems like it works better.

My first thought was to do this:

* Create new backup job that only contains the file server
* Set GFS to yearly to retain for 3-5 years (this is TBD)
* Set compression to High to save space
* Set "Run the job automatically" to NO
* Run a full active copy
* Disable job

As I see it, this gives us a single static copy of this server that is going to be retained for however many years we decide. Since it's a one-and-done job, I don't have to worry about incrementals taking up extra space over time. It's just going to sit there, menacingly, until we either need it or don't.

I'm wondering is this actually makes sense to anyone else, honestly. I also wonder about even needing to apply the GFS flag. If we run the job once and then disable but don't DELETE the job or copy from the disk, it's just going to sit there anyway? Unless I have misunderstood something fundamental about retention in Veeam.

Thanks!
tyler.jurgens
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Re: Long-Term Storage of a Single Copy of a VM

Post by tyler.jurgens »

Create a VeeamZIP backup of the VM. If you know how long you need to retain it for - set the retention period on the job. If you don't know, then leave it undefined.

Its as easy as that. It will create a full backup of the VM placed on whatever repository you want. You don't need to get more complicated than that.
Tyler Jurgens
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karsten123
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Re: Long-Term Storage of a Single Copy of a VM

Post by karsten123 »

… or export restore point, or just exclude vm from job, …
please do not overthink something like that. Veeams failsafe features will cover you. You just have to do it right :D
mbrowngcs
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Re: Long-Term Storage of a Single Copy of a VM

Post by mbrowngcs »

Awesome, much easier ideas! I will probably go with the VeeamZIP.

Thanks all!
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