Proper/clean way to move Veeam backup files

[massimiliano.rizzi]

Hello experts,

we are successfully backing up virtual machines in a production environment using the latest 6.1 and a combination of active full backups performed on Saturday, incremental backups performed Sunday through Friday, and a synthetic full backup scheduled on Wednesday.

So far, we have configured a couple of backup repositories. The primary backup repository is the only one we have used so far for storing backup data on the target side. We would like to move the earliest active full backup and the resulting incremental chain currently located in the dedicated job folder automatically created on the primary backup repository to the secondary backup repository and just retain it. Could you please advise if a proper/clean way to accomplish this task exists so that Veeam Backup & Replication for VMware is aware that some backup files belonging to the same job have been moved in a different backup repository ?

Thanks and Regards,

Massimiliano

[Vitaliy S.]

Hi Massimiliano,

You cannot use two backup repositories at the same time for the same job. If you just want to move these files for archiving purposes, just copy these files to the new repository manually and then import them to the backup console.

Thanks!

[massimiliano.rizzi]

Hi Vitaliy,

thank you for your quick reply. I really appreciate your support.

I have a couple more questions:

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1) Should the need to free up space in a backup repository arise, is there a a proper/clean way to manually delete a backup chain before the retention period threshold is reached so that Veeam Backup & Replication is aware of the deletion ?
2) When copying backup files to a different repository for archiving purposes (I mean when copying an active full backup or an entire backup chain within the job folder, not the job folder itself with all its contents) is it necessary to also bring/copy .vbm metadata files to be able to import those backup files back to the backup console should the need arise ?
===============================================

Thanks again !

Regards,
Massimiliano

[Vitaliy S.]

1. The number of available restore points is solely controlled by a retention policy you've configured. If you want to remove some "unneeded" restore points, you need to adjust the job retention policy accordingly. There is no manual way to remove restore points from the backup chain.
2. No, VBM files presence is not required, just make sure you have VBK +VRB/VIB files in place.

[massimiliano.rizzi]

Hi Vitaliy,

thank you for your prompt and clear answers.

They are the exact answers I was looking for.

Regards,
Massimiliano

[MooreIT]

To add to the original question, I've moved files to a different repository and then imported them into Veeam however I did not adjust the original backup job to point to the new location. After adjusting the backup job itself to point to the new repository it seemed that it was unaware of the backups I imported and started another backup altogether on that repository. Is that right or did I miss a step?

[Vitaliy S.]

Make sure you're following the procedure mentioned in this thread: Moving To New Repository

[ChuckS42]

1. The number of available restore points is solely controlled by a retention policy you've configured. If you want to remove some "unneeded" restore points, you need to adjust the job retention policy accordingly. There is no manual way to remove restore points from the backup chain.

So, this article is not valid?

http://www.veeam.com/kb1729

[foggy]

I believe Vitaliy was stating that you cannot remove a single restore point from the middle of the backup chain:

2. Now you can delete manually whichever files you want. Keep in mind that "vib" incrementals are dependent on the chain of .vib's before them up to the closest full .vbk, and so will need all the previous .vib's and the .vbk. (Note that "vrb" incrementals are dependent on the chain of .vrb's after them up to the closest full .vbk, so you will need all .vrbs after these as well as the next full .vbk.) Do not delete the .vbm.

and still need to adjust retention aсcordingly if you do not want the claimed space to be occupied by the new restore points.

[Breet]

Hi guys,

I have a backup with restore points that is filling up my disk. Therefore I would like to remove some specific restore points without affecting it's other restore points/backups?
I do not want to risk losing my other backups. Can anyone help?

note. version 6.5

Thx,
Breet

[Vitaliy S.]

Breet, removing restore points manually is highly not recommended, so you should adjust your retention policy settings to free up some space. BTW, what backup mode are you using? Forward or reversed incremental?

[Breet]

Thx for you reply.
It is set to reversed incremental.

Will adjusting the retention time of this job automatically cause a cleanup of older backups?

[foggy]

Yes, new retention settings will be applied at the end of the next job run.