Infrastructure planning
Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 v8 considers the size of the environment in terms of the number of objects you need to protect rather than the number of users when planning infrastructure. The solution supports primary and archive mailboxes, shared mailboxes, public folders, Microsoft SharePoint, OneDrive for Business, and Teams (including channels and tabs).
With the maximum configuration, it can now support up to 1 million objects per instance, 20,000 objects per proxy, and up to 250,000 users per deployment. In version 8, additional performance enhancements allow for greater scalability, faster restores, and support for larger repositories, which can be unlimited in size.
Microsoft Exchange
- Primary mailboxes
- Archive mailboxes
- Shared mailboxes
- Public folders
- Resource mailboxes
Microsoft SharePoint
- Collaboration sites
- Communication sites
- Personal sites
Microsoft OneDrive for Business
- OneDrive for Business account
Microsoft Teams
- Team (including channels and tabs)
For successful best practices and sizing, you need to take a closer look at your environment. Check out the recommended configuration maximums
Get started with sizing: you can size your environment with the Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 Capacity Calculator!
Infrastructure components
There are three core components of this solution — backup server, backup proxy and backup repository. Additionally, there are components such as RESTful API plug-in and PowerShell.
Backup server
The Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 server is the central configuration and control component. It is responsible for setting up and managing other components, job scheduling, task coordination and more. The server can be installed on a physical or virtual Windows-based machine. The server includes access to Console UI.
Backup proxy
The Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 proxy is the workhorse behind the scenes. It conducts all the read-and-write activities and intelligently converts objects to smaller, manageable items. Backup proxies provide an optimal route for backup traffic and enable data transfers to happen efficiently, with improved speed and data handling capacity in v8.
Backup repository
The Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 v8 repository is the location where Microsoft 365 data is stored. Introduced is the support for immutable storage, ensuring that backups cannot be modified or deleted within a specified retention period. Repositories can also store important metadata used during backup and recovery operations. Backup repositories are supported on the following types of storage: object storage (on-premises and cloud), directly attached storage (DAS), SAN, SMB (Server Message Block 3.0).
Get these three components right (especially repositories — this is where your valuable backups will reside after all), and you’ll be well on your way to an awesome Veeam experience.
Pay special attention to the Planning and Preparation section of the user guide, as the architectural decisions made at the outset will influence nearly every aspect of your Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 environment.
Installation package
The Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 installation image includes the following components:
1. Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365. Installs Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 with the following services:
- Control global configuration settings.
- Manage backup proxy servers and repositories.
- Process REST commands. (This component is disabled by default and can be enabled).
- Automate operations with PowerShell.
- Restore backed up data via Veeam Explorers.
- Enhanced support for immutable storage and more efficient multi-cloud management.
2. Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 Console. Installs the following services:
- The user interface client for local and remote Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 servers.
- Veeam Explorers for data restores.
- Improved user interface for simplified backup and recovery processes.
3. Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 PowerShell:
- Installs the PowerShell extension with sets of PowerShell cmdlets.
- Additional cmdlets for managing immutability and advanced reporting.
4. Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 REST API & Restore Portal:
- Installs the RESTful API plugin and the Restore Portal.
- Enhanced security features, including MFA (multi-factor authentication) support for access control and improved data recovery workflows.
You can download the Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 installation package from MyAccount Customer Portal or from the official Veeam website.
Suggested resources:
If you need more help getting started, you can post your question in the comments section below or contact us at any time and someone from the Customer Success team will be there to assist you.