Veeam Infrastructure Appliance
6 minute read.
Veeam version 13 includes a new Veeam Infrastructure Appliance image that integrates with TrueNAS as a virtual machine deployment. The goal for this infrastructure appliance with TrueNAS is to integrate with an existing Veeam Backup & Replication deployment as a hardened backup repository for use in Veeam Jobs.
Hardware
The official Veeam help center provides these requirements
- CPU: x86-64 processor (minimum 2 cores recommended).
- Memory: 8 GB RAM.
- Disk 1: 120 GB SSD backed minimum.
- Disk 2: 120 GB minimum and larger than Disk 1. This disk hosts backups and sizing depends on the backup storage need. Any additional disks found in the system automatically join with Disk 2 into the single Logical Volume Manager (LVM) spanned volume.
Additional
Have these additional elements prepared before starting the Veeam Infrastructure Appliance deployment.
- A TrueNAS environment with a storage pool and adequate specifications to host the virtual machine deployment. It is strongly recommended to use a storage pool configured with a SLOG device for best performance with this virtualization use case.
- A Veeam Infrastructure Appliance ISO file.
- A VNC client. Connects to the TrueNAS VM for Veeam Infrastructure Appliance install and initial configuration.
- Authenticator App. Veeam requires activating multifactor authentication (MFA) during the appliance initial configuration process.
- A Veeam Backup & Replication environment. The hardened repository integrates with both traditional Windows-based and new Linux-based software appliance deployments.
From the TrueNAS UI, go to the Virtual Machines screen and create a new Virtual Machine (VM).
Configure a TrueNAS VM that meets or exceeds the minimum Veeam requirements and use the correct ISO image. This zvol created with the VM is Disk 1 from the appliance requirements. Do not start the VM yet.
Go to the Storage screen and edit the zvol created in step 2. From the zvol additional options, Set Sync to Always.
From the Screen, create a new zvol that is larger than the disk created during VM creation. This zvol is the appliance Disk 2 and stores backups. Set Sync to Always on this zvol too.
Go to the Virtual Machines screen and expand the newly created VM entry. Click Devices > Add to see the Add Device screen. Add the newly created zvol as a disk in AHCI mode. All other settings can remain at their defaults.
Start the VM. Note the VNC connection information.
Use your preferred VNC client to connect to the VM over the port number and password configured with the VM.
After configuring the TrueNAS Virtual Machine (VM), continue to install the Veeam Infrastructure Appliance.
On the Veeam Infrastructure Appliance splash screen, select Veeam Hardened Repository.
Choose between Install, Upgrade, or Reinstall, according to your current use case. The VNC connection can close when the installer starts. If this happens, use the VNC client to reconnect.
When installing, a final data loss warning appears. Respond accordingly and the installation begins. The system reboots into the installer when the install completes.
Back in the TrueNAS UI, stop the VM.
Go to the VM devices and remove the CD-ROM device.
Start the VM and reconnect over VNC.
The Veeam Infrastructure Appliance must be initially configured before it is actively usable.
Review and agree to the Veeam licensing terms and conditions.
Change the hostname as needed.
Configure the network
When necessary, adjust the default NTP configuration. The default settings are sufficient for most environments.
Set the system time zone.
Set the default veeamadmin password. This password must meet DISA STIG guidelines for passwords.
Veeam also requires enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) using an authenticator app. Follow the on-screen instructions to configure MFA.
(Optional) Configure the security officer account. When configured, this account must provide their credentials before any sensitive actions occur on the appliance.
Review and finalize the configuration. The system boots after final confirmation.
After initialization, the system boots and shows details for the Veeam Hardened Repository, including IP addresses and hostname. Record these details for later use.
The hardened repository is ready for use with both traditional Windows-based Veeam environments and new Linux-based Software appliances. These instructions focus on the Linux-based Software appliance.
Use a browser to access the Veeam Software Appliance web UI.
Go to Managed Servers and click Add Server. Select Veeam Infrastructure Appliance.
Enter the Veeam Hardened Repository DNS name or IP address recorded at the beginning of this section.
Confirm the validation popup and go to the next review screen. Veeam completes the server configuration. This can take several minutes to complete.
A job summary displays at the end of the process. Click OK to continue to adding the hardened repository.
Go to the Repositories menu and click Add Repository > Hardened Repository.
Choose a recognizable name for the repository and click Next.
Select the previously added Infrastructure Appliance, verify the capacity meets expectation, click the provided path, and click Next.
The path is automatically populated. Click populate again to confirm the capacity matches expectations. Define a length of time days for the Make recent backups immutable for X days option, according to the organizational need. The remaining settings are typically left at their defaults.
Adjust the mount server settings as needed according to any specific organizational need. These are typically left at their defaults.
Review all the configuration settings and click Finish when everything is correct. Veeam can take several minutes to complete the hardened repository configuration.
From here, the hardened repository adds to Veeam Backup & Replication and is functional with Jobs like any other repository.
