Step by Step Guide Veeam B&R 8 Upgrade (v7 to v8)

This week, Veeam released Veeam Backup and Replication version 8, which contains some significant improvements such as backup to tape from Veeam Backup Server deployed directly on a Virtual Machine, support of NetApp technologies (Veeam Explorer), new free product named “Endpoint” (backup of your workstations), Cloud connect, Failover Plan, WAN Accelerator for replication, End-to-end encryption, Veeam Explorer for AD and SQL, and more.

This article provides a step by step guide for an upgrade from Veeam 7 to Veeam 8.    

For more security:

The first step is to realize a configuration backup of Veeam server (“Configuration Backup” menu on the screenshot below) and if the Veeam Backup Server is deployed on a Virtual Machine, execute a backup of this VM with Veeam B&R.

Veeam Menu

When the backup is done, you can close Veeam software and restart the Windows server (reboot). Basically I recommend you to stop properly the 6 Veeam services before upgrading (services.msc).
 

Running the Installer:

You have to run the installation file “Veeam.exe”.

Veeam files

If your server contains both Veeam B&R and Veeam Enterprise Manager, it is required that you install Veeam Enterprise Manager first. Otherwise you can click on the “Veeam Backup & Replication upgrade” window.

Veeam files
 

Installation Wizard:

Once wizard is launched, click on “Next” button.

Veeam Wizard

Accept the terms in the licence agreement and click on “Next” button.

Veeam Wizard

The next screen will require the new license file. If the old license file is used, the license will be flagged as invalid. If Enterprise Manager was already upgraded and is on the local machine, the new license file will already be applied by default.

Veeam Wizard

Next, a screen will appear and show the components that were previously installed. These products (Veeam Catalog and Veeam Backup & replication: 7.0.0.690) that will be upgraded in version 8. Click on “Next” button to proceed with the upgrade process.

Veeam Wizard

Veeam will run a quick systems check to verify all the required components are installed. Veeam will attempt to install all missing components, click on “Next” button.

Veeam Wizard

A prompt will appear for the Service Account Credentials. It is strongly suggested adding a service account with permissions be used instead of the default domain administrator account. If the default domain admin was used, this is a great opportunity to create a new account. In my lab, I used a local administrator account. Click on “Next” button.

Veeam Wizard

By default the option “Use existing instance of SQL Server” will be checked, and Veeam will detect the existing database in use. Click on “Next” button.

Veeam Wizard

A prompt will appear, regarding connecting to the selected database. This will upgrade the existing database if an upgrade is needed, click “Yes”.

Veeam Wizard

Veeam will prompt to install the upgrade, click “Install”.

Veeam Wizard

The upgrade took about few minutes to complete.

Veeam Wizard

Once the upgrade completed, a prompt appeared to finalize the installation. Click on “Finish” button.

Veeam Wizard
 

 

Post Reboot:

When the upgradre is done, I recommend you to restart properly the Windows server (reboot).

Once the reboot completes and Veeam B&R software has been opened, a new green splash screen will appear and show the registered user as well as the number of days remaining on support. You can also perceive the new slogan of Veeam: “Availability“. This new strategy matches to the new high availability constraints (RTO: 15 minutes).

Veeam Wizard

Upon opening Veeam, a prompt will appear to update the components (especially the server and the proxy). Click on “Next” button.

Veeam Wizard

Finally, when all components have been upgraded, you can click on “Finish” button.

Veeam Wizard

Veeam B&R 8 does not require new job creation or any architecture changes for your existing backups and replication to work. If there are dedicated Veeam proxy servers in the environment, now is a good time to upgrade those servers, otherwise, Veeam is now ready to use. You can see existing backup jobs on the screenshot below. You can also perceive the new “Tape Infrastructure” menu in left panel. Here, you can add the “Proxy Bande” role on a Windows physical server for managing a library (tape) since a Veeam Bakup Server deployed on a Virtual Machine.

Veeam Wizard

   

Note: Veeam will increase the price of licenses in January 2015. Basically, if you need upgrade your license or buy a new license, I advise you to think before the end of the year. 🙂 You can learn more here.
   

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2 comments

    • Pat on November 24, 2014 at 2:46 pm
    • Reply

    Hello Christopher,
    Thanks for the guide.
    Is the V8 support tape drive connected on the Esx v5?
    Regards

    • Patryt on December 18, 2014 at 2:38 pm
    • Reply

    Hi,

    Almost near the end of the setup my server says “Cannot create backup of installer database” any idea ?

    Regards

    patry

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