In this article we are going to explore the settings on how to configure the Veeam components to Backup Office 365. This is a follow up from the first step covering the overview of Veeam Backup for Microsoft Office 365. The latest version is running on v1.5. This is currently available as a downloadable trial with no features limitations for 30 days. This version includes the Backup Proxy and Backup Repository components.
In this one we’ll visit the configuration settings for:
- Veeam Backup Proxy
- Veeam Backup Repository
- Adding an Office 365 Tenant
This version of Veeam Backup for Microsoft Office 365 includes new features and enhancements. In particular this version helps with environments that require distributed and scalable architectures. This includes Remote Office Branch Office and Service Providers scenarios. In particular the Backup Proxies help by taking the workload off from the management servers. Multiple Backup Proxies also means the ability to run multiple Jobs with different credentials without incurring in the throttling policies.
Moreover starting from this release it is also possible to configure different Backup Repositories. For each one of them we can configure separate settings allowing for example the option to segregate Data Backups on different criteria.
So in a nutshell the main console is the “brain” managing all the operations like scheduling, notifications and so on. The Backup Proxy is the “brawn” responsible for reading the Data from the Exchange Organization (Office 365 Tenant or Exchange on Premise) and writing / sending the Data to a Backup Repository. The Backup Repository is the storage where the Backup is physically stored. Currently, storage types support includes Local folder on the Backup server, DAS Storage, SAN Storage and SMB 3.0 Shares.
There is a lot more and will let the rest of the options “under the bonnet” to be discovered as soon as this version is also installed in your home lab!
In this instance we’ll revisit the default settings for the aforementioned components. Of course we can change these to fit our requirements.
Add Veeam Proxy to Backup Office 365
From the Backup Infrastructure view in the main console we can see the configured Backup Proxies and Repositories. By default the same host where Veeam Backup for Microsoft Office 365 is deployed it is also used to install these components. For smaller deployments it might be appropriate. Alternatively it is possible to add more components from here. In the screenshot below we are going to edit / review the default settings for the Backup Proxy. On the default proxy right click to edit or view the properties.
In this screen we can adjust the Port number if the default one is already in use. Very handy when deploying multiple Backup Proxies and redirect the network traffic on a specif Port when communicating with the main Backup Server.
In this step we can specify a user with local admin permissions to allow the components installation.
Next the wizard will look and install for missing components.
As soon as we click on finish the Backup Proxy will register to the main Backup Server.
Configure Veeam Repository to Backup Office 365
We are now ready to take a quick view on the Backup Repository. Same as per Backup Proxy we can access the settings from Backup Infrastructure view and then right click on the intended one.
Next is to define a name for the Backup Repository. Description is optional.
From this screen we can set the location in the Backup Repository where to store the Backup Data. The link “Get free space” will show the current available space on the entire volume where the Backup Data will be sitting. This is useful to quickly monitor the remaining space in light of Backup Data required space.
Next is the option to set the Retention Policy for the mailbox items. It is possible to specify from 1 year up to 25. Or keep them forever. Or configure the number of days. In addition per each Backup Repository we can also set when the Retention Policy will be applied.
As soon as we click on Finish the Backup Repository will register to the main Backup Server.
Add Tenant details
We are now ready to add the Office 365 Tenants details we want to Backup. Let’s move to the Organizations view.
From the ribbon let’s hit on Add Org to start the wizard as per screenshot below. We can use the same wizard to add Office 365 Tenants, Exchange Organizations in Hybrid deployments and instances On-Premise.
Next is to specify the Region. This release also supports Office 365 Tenants for Germany, China, US Government and Department of Defense (DOD) types.
The “Grant impersonation to this user” will allow the service account to also backup and restore other mailboxes in the same Exchange Organization online and On-Premise
The next screen shows the action performed by the wizard. It connects to the Exchange Web Services and uses PowerShell to connect to the intended Exchange instance.
If everything goes well a new Office 365 Tenant will appear in the Organizations view. We can reuse the same wizard to add multiple Exchange Organizations: Online, Hybrid and On-Premise.
This concludes this part of the setup for the main components. Of course we can add more should the current environment require a scalable architecture. In the next article we’ll cover how to run a job to Backup Office 365 along with Restore and eDiscovery options.
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