Veeam SureBackup can do this, it can do automated testing of the SQL server to confirm all databases come online, you can extend this with scripting for further automated testing, and you can bring up supporting components such as any AD servers required to authenticate within the isolated environment too.

You can manually power on your backups/replicas and keep them on too. If you’ve got VRO there’s a function called Veeam Data Labs that handles all this even better

they want to test it manually. to see data with their own eyes ‍♂️. Let’s assume Vmware environment. What would be best way to provide them with access to this new environment?

Easiest way when customer has access to the console of the VM’s:

Create a surebackup job within thi job a Application Group with the DC, the SQL server and ERP system. Set the setting to keep the application group running.

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backup/vsphere/surebackup_job_appgroup_vm.html?ver=120

In this way, you’ll have an isolated environment that is capable of talking to the DC for authentication etc.

If the customers doens’t have acces, you need to make some additional configuration (Ip masquerading)  to make the VM’s available from the production network using natting.

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backup/vsphere/surebackup_ip_masquerading.html?ver=120

You’d create a virtual lab, add the servers that need manually testing to an application group, make sure to set your first domain controller to boot first in an authoritative state, create an empty SureBackup job that uses your application group and is set to leave the application group on after the job finishes, start the job, stop when finished testing.

You can use the proxy appliance within a virtual lab to perform any port forwarding requirements you might need into an isolated space if the users don’t have console access in VMware, or you could use RBAC to define a scope within VMware for limited console access, but if multiple users need access then port forwarded RDP would be easier, especially if you’ve got an RDS server you could spin up already!

SureBackup for sure as Michael noted.  Fire up the VM’s in the virtual lab and then have it leave them running for the client to log in and perform whatever verifications they would like.  Once done, stop the job and it’ll tear it back down for you.  It does take some work to get it running, but it’s not terribly hard, especially if you just need a SQL and app server (and DC for domain access).

Hi @imadam -

I was just following up on your post here. Did you still have questions? Or, did any of the provided comments help you out? If you do still have questions, don’t hesitate to ask. If any of the provided comments did help, we ask you mark one as ‘Best Answer’ so other community members with a similar question who come across your post may benefit.

Thank you.