Veeam Software Appliance
5 minute read.
Veeam version 13 includes a new Linux Software Appliance image that integrates with TrueNAS as a virtual machine deployment. The goal for this appliance image is smoother, more secure, and easily accessible deployments of Veeam Backup & Replication.
Hardware
The official Veeam help center provides these requirements:
- CPU: x86-64 processor (minimum 8 cores recommended).
- Memory: 16 GB RAM plus 500 MB RAM for each concurrent job.
- Disk 1: 240 GB SSD backed minimum, with recommendations for different size environments:
- Small (up to a few hundred workloads): 480 GB SSD backed
- Medium (up to a few thousand workloads): 960 GB SSD backed
- Large: Multi-TB SSD Larger capacities increases the disk space available to instant recovery cache, which allows running more machines for longer times.
- Disk 2: 240 GB minimum and larger than Disk 1. This disk hosts guest filesystem catalogs and backups. Recommended sizing depends on your backup storage needs. 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 Software 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 Separate Intent Log (SLOG) device for best performance with this virtualization use case.
- A Veeam Software Appliance ISO file.
- A VNC client. Connects to the TrueNAS VM for Veeam Software Appliance install and initial configuration.
- Authenticator App. Veeam requires activating multifactor authentication (MFA) during the appliance initial configuration process.
- Veeam license file. Veeam requires uploading a valid license to activate the software appliance.
The Veeam Software Appliance release is growing towards the same maturity as the traditional Veeam Backup & Replication offering. The initial appliance image has these key differences:
- At this time, the appliance supports the vSphere and Hyper-V virtualization platforms only.
- The appliance does not support the object storage repository type.
- Veeam Software Appliance does not include File browser, and users cannot retrieve individual files from backed up systems.
- These advanced features are not present:
- Entra support
- Replication jobs
- Tape backup support
- WAN accelerators
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 Software Appliance.
On the Veeam Software Appliance splash screen, select Veeam Backup & Replication.
Choose between Install 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 Software 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 host management console and the Veeam Backup & Replication web UI.
The host management console configures network, users, time, and other advanced features, siilar to the appliance initialization process. The Veeam web UI manages standard Veeam operations similarly to Veeam Backup & Replication running from a Windows environment.
Use a browser to access the Veeam Backup & Replication web UI and wait for any automated updates to complete.
The Veeam Software Appliance requires a license. Upload your license file at this time.
Veeam Backup & Replication is ready to use!
Some actions immediately available are:
Add managed servers.
Configure backup repositories.
Create backup jobs.
