Veeam Backup & Replication

Basic Information

Veeam Backup & Replication is a comprehensive data protection solution designed for virtual, physical, NAS, and cloud-native environments. The latest stable version is 12.1. Version 12.1 was released and made available for download starting December 5th, 2023. The software supports various deployment models, including simple, advanced, distributed, and an appliance model, allowing for installation on physical or virtual servers. Licensing options include Perpetual, Subscription, Rental (for Veeam Cloud & Service Providers), Evaluation, NFR (Not for Resale), Promo, and a Community Edition. Licensing metrics are typically based on per socket, per instance, per workload, or per user. End of support and end of life dates are not fixed but follow Veeam's product lifecycle policy, generally supporting current and previous major versions. Auto-update expiration dates are not publicly specified and may vary.

Technical Requirements

Veeam Backup & Replication's technical requirements vary depending on the role of the component and the scale of the deployment.

• RAM: For the Backup Server, a minimum of 4 GB RAM is required, with an additional 500 MB RAM for each concurrent job. For Veeam Infrastructure Appliance, 8 GB RAM is specified. Backup proxies require at least 2 GB RAM plus 500 MB per concurrent task, or 1 GB per concurrently processed machine disk for Linux-based proxies. Proxmox workers require 6 GB RAM plus 1 GB per additional concurrent task.
• Processor: An x86-64 processor is required, with a minimum recommendation of 4 cores for the Backup Server. Multi-core processors significantly enhance data processing performance and allow for more concurrent tasks.
• Storage: Installation requires 5 GB for the product and 4.5 GB for Microsoft .NET Framework. The guest file system catalog folder needs 10 GB per 100 VMs. An additional 100 GB is recommended for the Instant VM Recovery cache. For the Veeam Infrastructure Appliance, Disk 1 (OS, software, configuration database, instant recovery cache) requires a minimum of 240 GB, with SSDs recommended and multi-TB for large environments. Disk 2 (guest file system catalogs and backups) also requires a minimum of 240 GB.
• Display: Standard display capabilities are assumed for the graphical user interface.
• Ports: Network connectivity of 1 Gbps or faster is recommended for on-site backup and replication, and 1 Mbps or faster for off-site operations. SSH connectivity is required for deploying and managing Linux components.
• Operating System: Supported 64-bit Microsoft Windows operating systems include Windows Server 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025, as well as Windows 10 (versions 1909 to 22H2) and Windows 11 (versions 21H2, 22H2, 23H2, 24H2). For advanced XFS integration, specific 64-bit Linux distributions like Debian (10.0-12.2), RHEL (8.2-9.3), SLES (15 SP2-SP5), and Ubuntu (18.04 LTS, 20.04 LTS, 22.04 LTS) are supported.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

The technical requirements for Veeam Backup & Replication are scalable, designed to accommodate environments from small businesses to large enterprises. Core components like the Backup Server and proxies demand sufficient CPU and RAM, with recommendations increasing based on the number of concurrent jobs and protected workloads. Storage requirements are substantial, particularly for catalog data and instant recovery caches, emphasizing the need for fast, ample disk space, with SSDs being highly recommended for performance. Network bandwidth is critical for efficient data transfer, especially for on-site operations. The broad support for both Windows and specific Linux operating systems, along with various virtualization platforms, offers flexibility in deployment. Overall, proper sizing and resource allocation are crucial for optimal performance and scalability.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: Veeam Backup & Replication 12.1.
• OS Support:
  • Windows: Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025. Microsoft Windows 10 (versions 1909 to 22H2) and Windows 11 (versions 21H2, 22H2, 23H2, 24H2).
  • Linux: Debian 10.0-12.2, RHEL 8.2-9.3, SLES 15 SP2-SP5, Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, 20.04 LTS, 22.04 LTS for advanced XFS integration. AlmaLinux 9.3 and Rocky 9.3 for Linux-based backup repositories and proxies.
  • Virtualization Platforms: VMware vSphere (6.x, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0), Microsoft Hyper-V (Windows Server 2012 to 2025), Nutanix AHV (6.5.x-6.7.x, 6.10.x), Proxmox VE (8.2 or later).
• End of Support Date: Veeam's support lifecycle typically covers the current major version and the previous one. Specific end-of-support dates are managed through official Veeam lifecycle policies and regular updates.
• Localization: The product supports various localizations, with documentation and interfaces often available in multiple languages to cater to a global user base.
• Available Drivers: Veeam leverages native operating system drivers and includes specific ODBC drivers for database connectivity, such as for Microsoft SQL Server.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

Veeam Backup & Replication demonstrates robust support and compatibility across a wide array of modern IT infrastructures. It integrates deeply with leading virtualization platforms like VMware vSphere and Microsoft Hyper-V, and extends to Nutanix AHV and Proxmox VE, ensuring broad coverage for virtualized environments. The extensive support for both Windows Server and client operating systems, alongside key Linux distributions, highlights its versatility. While specific end-of-support dates require consultation of official Veeam resources, the company's consistent release of updates and patches indicates a strong commitment to ongoing compatibility and security. The reliance on standard OS drivers and specific database drivers simplifies deployment and maintenance. Overall, Veeam provides a highly compatible and well-supported solution for diverse data protection needs.

Security Status

• Security Features:
  • Ransomware Protection: Includes immutable backups, direct backup to object storage, and secure restore capabilities with antivirus, YARA, and Veeam Threat Hunter scans.
  • Encryption: AES-256 algorithm for data at rest (block, tape, cloud, object storage) and in-transit encryption between components (SSL/TLS 1.2 or higher). Features Password Loss Protection via Veeam Backup Enterprise Manager.
  • Authentication: Supports Kerberos (default), NTLM (for backward compatibility), SAML 2.0 for Veeam Backup Enterprise Manager SSO, and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) using Time-Based One-Time Passwords (TOTP) for console access. SSH is used for Linux server communication.
  • Hardened Repository: Ability to create immutable Linux repositories to prevent tampering.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Several critical vulnerabilities have been identified and patched. These include unauthenticated remote code execution (e.g., CVE-2024-40711, CVSS 9.8), authenticated remote code execution (e.g., CVE-2025-23121, CVSS 9.9; CVE-2025-48983, CVSS 9.9; CVE-2025-48984, CVSS 9.9), and privilege escalation issues (e.g., CVE-2024-40710, CVSS 8.8; CVE-2025-48982, CVSS 7.3). Some vulnerabilities, such as CVE-2024-40711, have been actively exploited and added to the CISA KEV catalog.
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable as a software product, but critical vulnerabilities have led to advisories and inclusion in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
• Certifications: Adheres to industry security standards, though specific certifications are not detailed in public search results.
• General Recommendations: Immediate application of patches and updates is crucial. Enable MFA for all user accounts. Utilize immutable backups and hardened repositories. Isolate and encrypt backup network traffic. Secure configuration backups.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

Veeam Backup & Replication offers a robust suite of security features designed to protect backup data against modern threats, including ransomware. Key strengths include comprehensive encryption for data at rest and in transit, multi-factor authentication for console access, and immutable backup options. However, the product has a history of critical vulnerabilities, some of which have been actively exploited in the wild. This necessitates a proactive and diligent approach to patching and security configuration by administrators. While Veeam is committed to addressing vulnerabilities promptly, the frequent discovery of high-severity issues means that continuous monitoring, rapid patching, and strict adherence to security best practices are paramount to maintaining a secure backup environment. The overall security rating is strong due to its feature set, but requires constant vigilance from users.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: Specific, independent benchmark scores are not consistently published or readily available in public search results.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: Veeam Backup & Replication is known for its improved NAS backup performance and multi-VM instant recovery capabilities. It delivers faster and more flexible data protection, recovery, and retention options. Performance scales directly with the underlying hardware resources, including CPU, RAM, and network bandwidth.
• Power Consumption: As a software solution, direct power consumption metrics are not applicable. Resource utilization on host systems, however, indirectly influences power consumption.
• Carbon Footprint: Direct carbon footprint metrics for the software are not available.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: While Veeam is a market leader, direct, independent performance comparisons with similar enterprise backup solutions were not explicitly found in the provided search results.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

Veeam Backup & Replication is engineered for high performance and scalability, particularly in virtualized environments. Its architecture allows for efficient data processing and recovery, with features like Instant VM Recovery and improved NAS backup performance contributing to reduced recovery times. The software's performance is inherently tied to the underlying infrastructure; adequate allocation of CPU, RAM, and high-speed networking is crucial to maximize throughput and minimize backup windows. While specific benchmark figures are not widely publicized, user experiences and product capabilities suggest that Veeam delivers robust real-world performance when properly configured and resourced. The ability to scale components and distribute workloads across an infrastructure further enhances its performance profile for large and complex environments.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback for Veeam Backup & Replication generally highlight its strengths in comprehensive data protection and recovery, particularly for virtual machines. Users frequently praise its ease of use, robust feature set, and reliable instant recovery capabilities, which are critical for minimizing downtime. The strong support for various virtualization platforms and operating systems is also a consistent positive. Recent versions have been lauded for enhanced ransomware protection features, such as immutable backups and secure restore options, which are highly valued in the current threat landscape.

However, some users note that the product can be resource-intensive if not properly sized and configured, especially in larger environments. The complexity of licensing models can also be a point of concern for some organizations. While the extensive feature set is a strength, it can also lead to a steeper learning curve for new administrators.

Recommended use cases span across virtual, physical, NAS, and cloud-native environments, with a strong emphasis on hybrid cloud data protection, disaster recovery, and robust ransomware defense strategies.

Summary

Veeam Backup & Replication is a powerful and versatile enterprise asset management solution, offering comprehensive data protection across diverse IT infrastructures, including virtual, physical, NAS, and cloud environments. Its latest stable version, 12.1, released in late 2023, continues to build upon a foundation of robust backup, replication, and recovery capabilities.

Strengths: The asset excels in its broad compatibility with major virtualization platforms (VMware, Hyper-V, Nutanix AHV, Proxmox VE) and operating systems (Windows Server, Windows client, various Linux distributions). Key features like Instant VM Recovery, immutable backups, and secure restore options are critical for rapid recovery and ransomware protection. Strong security measures, including AES-256 encryption for data at rest and in transit, and multi-factor authentication, provide a solid defense against data loss and unauthorized access. The solution is highly scalable, adapting to environments of varying sizes, and its performance is directly tied to the underlying infrastructure, allowing for significant optimization.

Weaknesses: Despite its strengths, Veeam Backup & Replication has faced challenges with critical vulnerabilities, some of which have been actively exploited. This necessitates a vigilant approach to patching and security updates from administrators. The product's extensive feature set, while powerful, can lead to complexity in deployment and management, particularly in large-scale or highly customized environments. Licensing models can also be perceived as complex, requiring careful consideration to match organizational needs.

Recommendations: Organizations deploying Veeam Backup & Replication should prioritize immediate application of all security patches and updates. Implementing multi-factor authentication, utilizing immutable backups, and adhering to Veeam's security best practices are essential to mitigate risks. Proper sizing of hardware resources (CPU, RAM, storage, network) is crucial to ensure optimal performance and scalability, avoiding potential bottlenecks. Regular review of the Veeam support lifecycle is also recommended to stay informed about end-of-support dates and plan upgrades accordingly.

Overall, Veeam Backup & Replication remains a leading choice for enterprise data protection, offering a comprehensive and resilient solution, provided that administrators maintain a proactive stance on security and system optimization.

Information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.