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Veeam Backup - VolumeImage backup with CBT driver


Userlevel 1
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Hi,

I am performing few tests with Veeam Community Edition 11.x on Windows 2019 Server.

 

I created a Volume image backup job (say, D:) ; but I dont see any indication about CBT driver being used. I also dont see any indications in logs, and also no driver on the System.

Does Veeam Community Edition 11.x uses CBT for VolumeImage backup? Also, any information to be sure that CBT driver is used would be helpful.

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Best answer by Mildur 1 June 2022, 07:10

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Userlevel 7
Badge +17

Did you do a second backup?

First time all blocks are “changed”...

Userlevel 7
Badge +20

Yes you need to run more than one backup in order for the CBT driver to see changed blocks to then back only those up.  The second backup size should be much smaller.

Userlevel 1

Thank you, I think, i ran few backups. May I know, which log file (location), I can check to confirm this? Also what is the location where I can see the CBT driver?

Userlevel 7
Badge +20

Thank you, I think, i ran few backups. May I know, which log file (location), I can check to confirm this? Also what is the location where I can see the CBT driver?

The log files are in C:\Programdata\Veeam

I will have to check on the CBT driver but I am pretty sure it is in the Drivers folder under C:\Windows\System32

Userlevel 7
Badge +17

The “normal” Windows CBT driver is used automatically. You can install and use a special Veeam CBT driver.

https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/agentforwindows/userguide/backup_cbt.html?ver=50

Userlevel 1

Thank you very much. 

Yes, I didnt find Veeam CBT under C:\Windows\system32 folder. 

The URL which you provided mentions “Veeam Agent computer runs a Microsoft Windows Server OS and the Server edition of Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows”  .

Does it mean that, Veeam CBT driver is NOT available for Community Edition? I even checked in running filter drivers, but cant see anything...so wanted to get some clarity. 

Is there any specific log file or conf file that i can check to get more clarity to me.

Userlevel 7
Badge +20

Check this article it tells you where the CBT driver is installed - https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/agentforwindows/userguide/backup_cbt_driver.html?ver=50

 

Userlevel 7
Badge +20

Also this tells how to install it from the agent - https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/agentforwindows/userguide/cbt_install.html?ver=50

 

Userlevel 1

Thank you, I installed Standalone Veeam Agent 5.0.3.4708 from download page, as suggested by you on Windows 2019. BUT, I dont see an option to install CBT driver,

 

Here is what I see:

 

 

BUT as per https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/agentforwindows/userguide/cbt_install.html?ver=50, I am expected to see UI as in below,

 

 

May I know, why my Veeam Console doesnt have “Install CBT driver” showing up?

Userlevel 7
Badge +20

This typically means the CBT driver is then installed on the system if you do not see the option to install it as per the screenshot.

Userlevel 1

Thank you Chris,

How do I confirm that? is there any specific log, something that I see need to see?

Also, is VeeamVolumeCT.sys the CBT driver that we are talking about? Because, this was not installed or not running on my system.

Userlevel 7
Badge +20

Thank you Chris,

How do I confirm that? is there any specific log, something that I see need to see?

Also, is VeeamVolumeCT.sys the CBT driver that we are talking about? Because, this was not installed or not running on my system.

I will check my system tomorrow and let you know.

Userlevel 7
Badge +12

@Sathya 

When you have installed the standalone agent, I‘m sure you don’t running it as a server agent

Free and Workstation Mode doesn‘t have the CBT driver included. But you can use your VBR Community Edition Server to license the agent for the server mode. It will take 1x of the available 10 licenses.

 

What you have todo:

  1. Create a protection Group on the VBR server. Choose to install the CBT driver in the step „options“
  2. Create a backup job for Windows Server on the VBR Server

You don’t have to configure anything on the Veeam Agent itself.

Quickstart Guide - Agent Backup


By the way, CBT works for NTFS filesystems without the CBT driver for all Agent Modes :) For reFS filesystems, veeam cbt driver is required for CBT backups.

Agent - Change Block Tracking

Userlevel 7
Badge +13

I just add one more interesting read about CBT, but my collegues already fully answer to this topic.

Default changed block tracking mechanism for Volume-level backup:
https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/agentforwindows/userguide/backup_cbt_default.html?ver=50#cbt_volume

Userlevel 7
Badge +20

I just add one more interesting read about CBT, but my collegues already fully answer to this topic.

Default changed block tracking mechanism for Volume-level backup:
https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/agentforwindows/userguide/backup_cbt_default.html?ver=50#cbt_volume

Really great resource there. Thanks for that Marco.

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