Setting up Veeam Backup & Replication

Learn how to set up a Veeam Backup & Replication server, then register it with an OVHcloud Veeam Enterprise license server.

Veeam Backup & Replication is a data protection software. It offers its users a wide range of options for backing up, replicating, and restoring their data.

NOTE: If a virtual machine is protected using multiple backup methods (for example, VM backup and Agent backup), each method consumes a separate license and is billed independently.

To avoid additional charges, protect each virtual machine using only one backup method.

Requirements

A Veeam Enterprise solution
Windows Server 2012 or a newer version
Veeam Backup & Replication v12.3 or earlier
For Hosted Private Cloud customers willing to use their private infrastructure: outbound/established TCP traffic must be allowed towards the service IP and the port range 950-999

Example: For the service pcc-1.2.3.4.ovh.us with IP 1.2.3.4, the customer's network appliance should have an outbound rule allowing TCP traffic against port range 950-999 and IP 1.2.3.4 to allow NFC communication to the ESXi hosts.

Instructions

Download and install the Veeam Backup & Replication 12.0 solution from the Veeam website. If you do not have an account, you will need to set one up (account setup is free). Once you have logged in, your download should start automatically.

The files will appear in ISO disk image format. Double-click the ISO image and run the installation setup.

On the server, you can then launch the installation wizard. Select Install Veeam Backup & Replication.

After you have read the license agreement, click I Accept.

Click Next to skip the step of opening a license file.

Review the installation settings and click Install.

Next, wait for the installation to complete.

Once it is complete, exit the installation wizard by clicking Finish.

Creating a Veeam Enterprise service account

Step 1: Launch a service account

Generate a complex password for your service account.

To ensure that the Veeam licence activation works correctly, the username and password must use only supported characters:

Lowercase and uppercase letters without accents (a-z, A-Z)
Numbers (0-9)
Special characters: ! @ = # % & ' " { } * ( ) [ ] ? . , ; : - _ \ / +

NOTE: If the username or password contains unsupported characters, the license activation may fail.

Next, launch Windows PowerShell as an administrator and create the service account, for example:

New-LocalUser "OVHVeeamEnterprise" -Password (ConvertTo-SecureString -AsPlainText "P@ssword01" -Force)-Description "OVHcloud Service Account for Veeam Enterprise" -PasswordNeverExpires:$true -UserMayNotChangePassword:$true -AccountNeverExpires:$true

Please note that the account name and password shown here are examples, and must be replaced with your own details:

Account name: OVHVeeamEnterprise
Password: P@ssword01

Step 2: Define the service account authorizations

Launch the Veeam console.

Check that it is in Community Edition mode.

Go to the menu, and click Users and Roles.

In the Security window, select Add....

Then, in the Add User window, enter the service account name you have created. Select the Veeam Backup Administrator role and confirm by clicking OK.

If you go back to the Security window, you can check that the account has been defined properly.

Launch and Activation Permissions

The OVHVeeamEnterprise user is only accessible locally, so it is necessary to add permissions in the Windows graphical user interface to enable the remote connection.

In your Windows search bar, type "Component Services" and launch the service.

On the left menu and following the tree structure, click on Component Services, Computers, and then My Computer.
Under the Actions tab, click on More Actions.
Select Properties.
Go to COM Security.
In the Launch and Activation Permissions section, click Edit Limits.

Click on Add....
Click on Advanced.
Click on Find Now, select the OVHVeeamEnterprise user from the list below, and then click OK to confirm the selection.

Select the OVHVeeamEnterprise user from the list, Allow ☑ all permissions, and click OK.
Click Apply to validate the changes.

SUCCESS! Your OVHVeeamEnterprise user is now accessible locally and remotely.

Step 3: Register the Veeam Backup & Replication server

In the OVHcloud Control Panel:

Click Hosted Private Cloud tab in the top navigation menu.
Select your backupserverenterprise... service in the Platforms and services section.
Click Activate license in the Shortcuts box.

NOTE: The Shortcuts panel is also where you can cancel your license.

veeamenterprise20***.png

In the new window, enter the following information:

The public IP address through which your Veeam Backup & Replication server can be reached.
The login credentials you previously created (user name and password).

Validate by clicking OK.

NOTE: Activation can take up to an hour.

Once the activation is complete, you will find the configuration information on the service page.

veeamenterprise22**.png

You can also accomplish this via the OVHcloud API.

First, retrieve your serviceName:

GET /veeam/veeamEnterprise

Then register it:

POST /veeam/veeamEnterprise/{serviceName}/register

You will need the following information:

the public IP address that can be used to contact your Veeam Backup & Replication server
your server’s Veeam Backup & Replication port (usually 9392/TCP)
the login for the account you have just created
the password for your service account

You can retrieve the public IP used by Veeam Enterprise to contact your Veeam Backup & Replication server via:

GET /veeam/veeamEnterprise/{serviceName}

When your license activation has finished, the result of this API call will show activationStatus: "done".