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Veeam Windows Agent Restore Confusion

H

This is probably a relatively complicated one, but also not a critical issue for us as there’s sufficient workarounds. Not something I want to go through the trouble of a support ticket with at this time. Hoping a community member can make the seemingly complicated uncomplicated.

 

Veeam 12.1. We have a number of systems in our environment that we use the Veeam Agent for Windows to back up. We are primarily on Nutanix AHV for our virtualization. The backups seem to work just fine. When doing some recent restore testing, we noticed something. The goal of the restore testing was to test restoring these agent backups to our Nutanix AHV cluster.

 

When using “Restore entire VM to Nutanix AHV...” option, during the wizard when I get to the storage container page, it shows the computer, but with no disks. What I then found was that this “no disk” symptom also occurs if I use the “Instant Recovery to Nutanix AHV”, but it actually gives an error message of “The following machines have no disks, use the Entire VM restore option instead.”

Now, the other variable is that the machines I was testing above are Windows Workstation SKUs like Windows 10. But if I select other systems we’re backing up via the Agent which are Windows Server SKUs (Windows 2016 for example), the wizards for both Entire VM restore to AHV and Instant Recovery to AHV both show the disks.

 

So now I turn it over - what’s going on? Is there something I’m not aware of? Is this a known limitation? A bug? Do we need to configure something on Windows workstations which is there by default for Servers?

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Best answer by HYF_JE 14 May 2024, 23:26

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20 comments

Chris.Childerhose
Userlevel 7
Badge +20

Based on what you are using the Windows 10 machines should be supported.  Check this page which shows the compatible versions using Agent version 6 - System Requirements - Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows Guide

 

Chris Childerhose - VMCA2022 | VMCE2023 | Veeam Vanguard 7* | Veeam Legend 3* | vExpert 5* | VCAP-DCV/VCP-DCV | Object First Ace | Cisco Champion | Twitter: @cchilderhose | Blog Site – https://just-virtualization.tech
coolsport00
Userlevel 7
Badge +17

Hi @HYF_JE -

Forgive me for my lack of NTX knowledge, but will try and share what could be going on by what’s in the NTX User Guide.

First, are you using VBR or the NTX Web Console to restore?...I assume Veeam? Are you choosing to restore to Orig or New location? Selecting Storage Containers, and thus Disks, is only possible when restoring to New location or With different settings, per the User Guide:

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/vbahv/userguide/restore_to_ahv_container.html?ver=50

Shane Williford - Veeam VMCA/VMCE | Veeam Legend | VUG Leader | VCP-DCV | Twitter: @coolsport00
H

Hi @HYF_JE -

Forgive me for my lack of NTX knowledge, but will try and share what could be going on by what’s in the NTX User Guide.

First, are you using VBR or the NTX Web Console to restore?...I assume Veeam? Are you choosing to restore to Orig or New location? Selecting Storage Containers, and thus Disks, is only possible when restoring to New location or With different settings, per the User Guide:

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/vbahv/userguide/restore_to_ahv_container.html?ver=50

VBR console. Original location is impossible (physical machines with bare metal Windows installation > Nutanix virtual machine), so it is always a new location.

coolsport00
Userlevel 7
Badge +17

For Agent recovery, you cannot use Instant Recovery for those if you’re choosing “File level” backup type on the Agent. Volume and Entire Computer backups should work though.

See: https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/vbahv/userguide/instant_recovery_ahv.html?ver=50

Also, your backups must be on a Veeam-based Repo, not a repository/storage location on the Agent backed up system (as shown in the link above, as well).

All that being said, it’s weird you’re able to see the disks with a diff Windows type.

Shane Williford - Veeam VMCA/VMCE | Veeam Legend | VUG Leader | VCP-DCV | Twitter: @coolsport00
coolsport00
Userlevel 7
Badge +17

Hi @HYF_JE -

Forgive me for my lack of NTX knowledge, but will try and share what could be going on by what’s in the NTX User Guide.

First, are you using VBR or the NTX Web Console to restore?...I assume Veeam? Are you choosing to restore to Orig or New location? Selecting Storage Containers, and thus Disks, is only possible when restoring to New location or With different settings, per the User Guide:

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/vbahv/userguide/restore_to_ahv_container.html?ver=50

VBR console. Original location is impossible (physical machines with bare metal Windows installation > Nutanix virtual machine), so it is always a new location.

Ah yes...of course 😊

Shane Williford - Veeam VMCA/VMCE | Veeam Legend | VUG Leader | VCP-DCV | Twitter: @coolsport00
H

For Agent recovery, you cannot use Instant Recovery for those if you’re choosing “File level” backup type on the Agent. Volume and Entire Computer backups should work though.

See: https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/vbahv/userguide/instant_recovery_ahv.html?ver=50

Also, your backups must be on a Veeam-based Repo, not a repository/storage location on the Agent backed up system (as shown in the link above, as well).

All that being said, it’s weird you’re able to see the disks with a diff Windows type.

I did find that in my research too. We are not using File level backup for these jobs, they are all “Entire Computer”.

Yes, the backups in question are going to performance extents within a SOBR. The only consistent variable I have so far identified is whether the system being backed up is a Windows client or server.

coolsport00
Userlevel 7
Badge +17

It sounds like you’ve done your due diligence. Since you’re not really wanting to go the Support route as of yet, you could potentially post this question on the Forums to see if the Product Managers have come across this behavior. They can have the QA team test it out and see if there is indeed a bug.

Shane Williford - Veeam VMCA/VMCE | Veeam Legend | VUG Leader | VCP-DCV | Twitter: @coolsport00
Chris.Childerhose
Userlevel 7
Badge +20

It sounds like you’ve done your due diligence. Since you’re not really wanting to go the Support route as of yet, you could potentially post this question on the Forums to see if the Product Managers have come across this behavior. They can have the QA team test it out and see if there is indeed a bug.

This is what I would suggest as well but I think it is going to come down to Support request unfortunately.

Chris Childerhose - VMCA2022 | VMCE2023 | Veeam Vanguard 7* | Veeam Legend 3* | vExpert 5* | VCAP-DCV/VCP-DCV | Object First Ace | Cisco Champion | Twitter: @cchilderhose | Blog Site – https://just-virtualization.tech
H

It sounds like you’ve done your due diligence. Since you’re not really wanting to go the Support route as of yet, you could potentially post this question on the Forums to see if the Product Managers have come across this behavior. They can have the QA team test it out and see if there is indeed a bug.

Yeah I figured community was better because in my experience the R&D folks want an existing support case (which is reasonable, I suspect so they have a better chance at logs and such) before looking into it too much.

For something like this, thought I’d try out the community route.

Chris.Childerhose
Userlevel 7
Badge +20

It sounds like you’ve done your due diligence. Since you’re not really wanting to go the Support route as of yet, you could potentially post this question on the Forums to see if the Product Managers have come across this behavior. They can have the QA team test it out and see if there is indeed a bug.

Yeah I figured community was better because in my experience the R&D folks want an existing support case (which is reasonable, I suspect so they have a better chance at logs and such) before looking into it too much.

For something like this, thought I’d try out the community route.

The community is good but we can only give so much advice and eventually it will require technical help.  As we say to many we are not technical support just Veeam enthusiasts. 😁

Chris Childerhose - VMCA2022 | VMCE2023 | Veeam Vanguard 7* | Veeam Legend 3* | vExpert 5* | VCAP-DCV/VCP-DCV | Object First Ace | Cisco Champion | Twitter: @cchilderhose | Blog Site – https://just-virtualization.tech
coolsport00
Userlevel 7
Badge +17

It sounds like you’ve done your due diligence. Since you’re not really wanting to go the Support route as of yet, you could potentially post this question on the Forums to see if the Product Managers have come across this behavior. They can have the QA team test it out and see if there is indeed a bug.

Yeah I figured community was better because in my experience the R&D folks want an existing support case (which is reasonable, I suspect so they have a better chance at logs and such) before looking into it too much.

For something like this, thought I’d try out the community route.

You’re correct...they do; sometimes they don’t though. But, probably more times than not they may request case ID.

Shane Williford - Veeam VMCA/VMCE | Veeam Legend | VUG Leader | VCP-DCV | Twitter: @coolsport00
H

Posted to R&D forums.

 

Veeam Windows Agent Restore Confusion - R&D Forums

Chris.Childerhose
Userlevel 7
Badge +20

Posted to R&D forums.

 

Veeam Windows Agent Restore Confusion - R&D Forums

That is good.  Will keep an eye over there as well to see how it goes.  Best of luck. 👍🏼

Chris Childerhose - VMCA2022 | VMCE2023 | Veeam Vanguard 7* | Veeam Legend 3* | vExpert 5* | VCAP-DCV/VCP-DCV | Object First Ace | Cisco Champion | Twitter: @cchilderhose | Blog Site – https://just-virtualization.tech
Pybarra
Userlevel 6
Badge +3

If you are taking backups from Windows agents and trying to restore or Instant VM recovery to AHV you need the Nutanix VirtIO installed in the VM (scsi drivers). This will allow you to see the the disks. You can download on Nutanix site at link below.It requires a Nutanix login😀.

(Nutanix VirtIO is a collection of drivers for para-virtual devices that enhance the stability and performance of virtual machines on AHV.)

https://my.nutanix.com/page/login?client_id=X90v3suh7g4OkrFehHiZQefPPFca&commonAuthCallerPath=%2Foauth2%2Fauthorize&forceAuth=false&passiveAuth=false&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fportal.nutanix.com%2Fapi%2Fv1%2Foauth2%2Fwso2%2Fcallback&response_type=code&scope=openid&state=successRedirect%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fportal.nutanix.com%252Fpage%252Fdownloads%253Fproduct%253Dahv%2526bit%253DVirtIO&tenantDomain=carbon.super&sessionDataKey=75f0f75a-bfce-48cb-99ba-72eacef61d50&relyingParty=X90v3suh7g4OkrFehHiZQefPPFca&type=oidc&sp=support-portal-prod&isSaaSApp=false

H

If you are taking backups from Windows agents and trying to restore or Instant VM recovery to AHV you need the Nutanix VirtIO installed in the VM (scsi drivers). This will allow you to see the the disks. You can download on Nutanix site at link below.It requires a Nutanix login😀.

(Nutanix VirtIO is a collection of drivers for para-virtual devices that enhance the stability and performance of virtual machines on AHV.)

https://my.nutanix.com/page/login?client_id=X90v3suh7g4OkrFehHiZQefPPFca&commonAuthCallerPath=%2Foauth2%2Fauthorize&forceAuth=false&passiveAuth=false&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fportal.nutanix.com%2Fapi%2Fv1%2Foauth2%2Fwso2%2Fcallback&response_type=code&scope=openid&state=successRedirect%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fportal.nutanix.com%252Fpage%252Fdownloads%253Fproduct%253Dahv%2526bit%253DVirtIO&tenantDomain=carbon.super&sessionDataKey=75f0f75a-bfce-48cb-99ba-72eacef61d50&relyingParty=X90v3suh7g4OkrFehHiZQefPPFca&type=oidc&sp=support-portal-prod&isSaaSApp=false

That’s not the problem here. We don’t even get far enough into the restore for driver compatibility to be part of the equation. While a restored physical > virtual VM may fail to boot, Veeam should at least be able to restore the VM to a “non-booting” state. Here I am specifically thinking about Entire VM restore. I haven’t worked enough with instant recovery to know just how much it differs. My understanding is instant recovery simply “abuses” NFS or similar technologies to get the VM mounted to the hypervisor ASAP even if the storage performance isn’t comparable to production SAN/HCI/storage.

Pybarra
Userlevel 6
Badge +3

There seems to be something else going on then have you installed the latest AHV plug-in and meet the minimum requirements? links to doc below. Please share screen shots. It might be good to a trouble ticket started. Have you checked AHV tasks and seen any messages indicating any errors😀?

 

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/vbahv/userguide/install_ahv_services.html?ver=50

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/vbahv/userguide/system_requirements.html?ver=50

H

There seems to be something else going on then have you installed the latest AHV plug-in and meet the minimum requirements? links to doc below. Please share screen shots. It might be good to a trouble ticket started. Have you checked AHV tasks and seen any messages indicating any errors😀?

 

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/vbahv/userguide/install_ahv_services.html?ver=50

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/vbahv/userguide/system_requirements.html?ver=50

I’m hesitant to provide screenshots/details of production systems outside of support cases.

I can say with relative certainty we are running the latest plugin, AHV appliance version, and system requirements are more than met.

Chris.Childerhose
Userlevel 7
Badge +20

There seems to be something else going on then have you installed the latest AHV plug-in and meet the minimum requirements? links to doc below. Please share screen shots. It might be good to a trouble ticket started. Have you checked AHV tasks and seen any messages indicating any errors😀?

 

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/vbahv/userguide/install_ahv_services.html?ver=50

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/vbahv/userguide/system_requirements.html?ver=50

I’m hesitant to provide screenshots/details of production systems outside of support cases.

I can say with relative certainty we are running the latest plugin, AHV appliance version, and system requirements are more than met.

Definitely would suggest a Support ticket at this point then so you can get this worked out.

Chris Childerhose - VMCA2022 | VMCE2023 | Veeam Vanguard 7* | Veeam Legend 3* | vExpert 5* | VCAP-DCV/VCP-DCV | Object First Ace | Cisco Champion | Twitter: @cchilderhose | Blog Site – https://just-virtualization.tech
H

I don’t know if it was coincidence, but today I upgraded from VBR 12.1.0.2131 to 12.1.1.56 and this issue appears to be resolved.

Ironically, I was installing 12.1.1.56 in an attempt to resolve a different issue. The upgrade didn’t fix that issue, but it did fix this one.

Forum admins/mods, if you’re able to unmark the old solution and mark this one as the correct solution that’d be great.

Iams3le
Userlevel 7
Badge +9

I don’t know if it was coincidence, but today I upgraded from VBR 12.1.0.2131 to 12.1.1.56 and this issue appears to be resolved.

Ironically, I was installing 12.1.1.56 in an attempt to resolve a different issue. The upgrade didn’t fix that issue, but it did fix this one.

Forum admins/mods, if you’re able to unmark the old solution and mark this one as the correct solution that’d be great.

Hi @safiya kindly take a look at this request. 

[Microsoft MVP | Veeam Legend 5* | VMware vExpert 4* | Cisco Champion 3*]

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