Veeam Agent fails to install on Hyper-V Server

Hi @wrbo -

I found this post which, removing SQL apps within the registry or Programs/Features resolved it for the user:

Saw another resolution on the Forums. See this one below:

https://forums.veeam.com/vmware-vsphere-f24/my-first-error-during-upgrade-since-version-6-t65430.html

Yes, I understand there is no SQL installed but if you were trying to install the Agent it would have installed SQL components noted.  Check the Add/Remove Programs to see if they are there.

It seems like the failed attempt at installing Agent did not install any SQL components, as “wmic product get name” continues to list no programs (Hyper-V Server does not have any of the Control Panel applets available, incl. “Programs and Features”) and registry keys that would usually contain information about installed applications (“HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall” and “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall”) remain empty. Additionally, searching the registry for anything that contains “SQL Server 2012”, “CLR Types” or “Management Object” returns no results, and the “*\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server Local DB\” registry key does not exist in this system.

Hi @wrbo -

After further investigation, I’m finding this type of deployment → Agent install on Hyper-V, isn’t a supported install in and of itself. I have seen a few posts of users who’ve been able to do this in older Agent versions, but according to Veeam via a couple forum posts here and here, doing this type of install is against Microsoft EULA and thus not recommended by Veeam. According to this Forum, I’m seeing it is possible to install the Agent if you’re doing so via Veeam Backup & Replication (VBR), but if you’re attempting to do so on Windows Core, this won’t work.

Is there a reason you’re wanting to install the Agent on Hyper-V, and not use VBR to backup VMs within Hyper-V? Just curious your use-case here as we try and work through the issue you’re encountering.

Thanks.

Morning @wrbo

To confirm, are you deploying the Veeam Agent as a “standalone” install, or deployed from your VBR?

As others have noted, if your server is purely a Hyper-V server instead of Windows Server running Hyper-V Role, then you’ll be violating the Microsoft EULA for Hyper-V (unless you’ve licensed the host for windows server anyway I believe, would need to double check this). And if you’re using Hyper-V/Windows Core, then you’ll need to push the agent out via VBR in a managed by VBR state. I don’t work on the development team but I believe this is because when you manage it by agent you’ve got GUI applications that wouldn’t be able to execute without a full GUI environment.

With all of that out of the way, where does your VBR server run? On the Hyper-V server? If so then we’d need to explore further what your backup repository looks like to determine if you could use a bare metal recovery without your VBR VM being operational.

What server version are you running @wrbo ? Core? Desktop Experience?

What makes Agent install against MS EULA, according to Gostev (1st link I shared) is: “It is against Microsoft EULA to install and run software in HV’s parent partition, as this effectively provides a no-cost Windows Server Core for everyone to use”. For understanding fully MS’s EULA, you would need to research through it (agreed...boring 😁...but one we have to abide by). 

And again...though there are some who’ve gotten this to install, it isn’t the best way to utilize it. Veeam recommendation..again, according to the 1st link I shared..is to reinstall HV if it ever crashes. Gostev states “Veeam Agent is for backing up physical servers, not hypervisor hosts”.

Also, if you choose to run VBR on Windows 10, it is a supported install. Just make sure your resources are sufficient (check VBR system req’s here)

Glad to assist @wrbo 

HI @wrbo -

Just following up to see if you had any further questions? If any of the comments were beneficial to your question, it would be great to select a comment as ‘Best Answer’ so others with a similar issue/question can see what the resolution was.

Thank you.