The release of Veeam Backup & Replication v13 marks a major milestone—especially with the debut of the Linux-based Virtual Software Appliance (VSA). No more mandatory Windows licensing or server setup: Veeam delivers a pre-hardened, Rocky Linux-based appliance that promises both security and simplicity. Whether you want to deploy via OVA on your favorite hypervisor or ISO on a physical server, installation is refreshingly straightforward.

What I Like

1. Security and Compliance Built-In

• The Veeam v13 appliance comes pre-hardened and DISA STIG-compliant, with SSH disabled by default.
• There’s mandatory 2FA for administrator and Security Officer accounts, and a new Security Operator role to approve high-risk actions (like deleting backup data).
• Automatic patching and managed OS updates by Veeam further minimize risk and maintenance effort.

2. Deployment is Easy and Fast

• The “just enough OS” philosophy means less bloat, faster deployments, and reduced attack surface.
• ISO/OVA options allow you to pick your favorite deployment approach.
• Several users noted that auto-deployment for the ISO cuts the setup time by half compared to manual configuration.

3. Modern User Experience

• The refreshed UI delivers dark mode—a fan favorite—and Single Sign-On (SSO).
• Web management console (Cockpit) gives you secure, role-based access for most daily admin tasks.
• Network, NTP, and account management are all simple to configure.

4. Performance and Scalability

• The shared cross-platform codebase means the same speed and scalability improvements apply across both Linux and Windows deployments.
• Minimum resource requirements are clear and reasonable for modern workloads.

5. Managed Updates

• Veeam manages OS updates as well as appliance patches, helping you stay secure and up-to-date with less effort.

What I’d Like to See

1. Migration and Upgrade Paths

• Currently, there’s no direct upgrade from Veeam v12 to v13 appliance—new deployments only. Migration tools and upgrade paths are still in development, which means you’ll need to start fresh or wait for the next update if you have an existing environment.

2. Feature Parity in Web UI

• The new web console doesn’t yet offer full parity with the thick client. Some advanced features and configurations still require the traditional Windows client, which limits the all-Linux experience.

3. High Availability and Cloud Connect

• HA capabilities and Veeam Cloud Connect are postponed until a future release. These are key for enterprise environments, so their absence in the initial build is noticeable.

4. Scripted/Automated OVA Install

• Partners and MSPs want a way to automate OVA deployments (via CLI, Ansible, etc.)—currently, some manual post-OVA steps like network config and credential setup can’t be scripted. Auto-deployment for ISO is available, but OVA needs similar treatment.

5. Physical Server Support for Essentials

• For now, Veeam Essentials licenses are limited to virtual deployments only. Physical server support is planned for the future but not available at launch.

Final Thoughts

The Veeam v13 Software Appliance is a major leap forward for backup simplicity, security, and cross-platform flexibility. It’s perfect for greenfield deployments, labs, or anyone wanting a secure, modern backup solution with minimal overhead. I’m excited about the speed, security, and managed experience—but I’m also looking forward to seeing migration tools, web UI parity, and automated deployments mature in the coming months.

If you’re planning a new backup infrastructure, v13 is worth testing—and if you’re already running Veeam, keep an eye out for those migration tools and feature updates later this year.