Data Domain Repository integration with Veeam Backup

In the previous posts we have seen the steps on how  to deploy and run the initial configuration setup for the EMC Data Domain Virtual Edition 3.0. The procedure was really straightforward and the purpose of this article is to continue with the rest of the deployment by integrating Veeam Backup and Replication platform to use Dell EMC deduplication appliance as Data Domain Repository.

This is the perfect combination when it comes down to a rock solid solution protecting your infrastructure and leveraging a well known platform offering sophisticated algorithms for compression, deduplication, replication and scalable file system storage. Last but not least the integration between Veeam Backup and EMC Data Domain will leverage the EMC proprietary DD Boost protocol offering enhanced performances like faster Backups up to 50%. The good news is that it is possible to download and test trial versions or evaluation editions for both solutions. In particular with Veeam a trial version and even a NFR license is available for 1 year! In the case of EMC Data Domain as per previous articles we can use the evaluation license for an environment up to 500GB which should cover the majority of home lab scenarios out there!

Add Dell EMC Data Domain Repository to Veeam

At this point we are ready to start with the installation of a new Backup Repository for our Veeam Platform.

As per screenshots below let’s navigate into the Backup Infrastructure and then with a right click to Backup Repository to start the wizard.

Let’s provide a descriptive name.

Let’s choose the last option as in the screenshot below.

At this point let’s specify the EMC Data Domain option.

Next is to specify the credentials to access the Data Domain appliance. Please note this credential should have the “none”role to limit the Data Domain Management capabilities to a minimum required for security and proceed with the basic operations for connecting to the platform.

At this point we can also specify the Data Domain server name . I would recommend to verify both FQDN name resolutions are working as expected.

Veeam will now connect to EMC Data Domain to browse the available “Storage Units”. Since we have created a specific one for Veeam we’ll use that one.

As per screenshot below let’s choose the appropriate Storage Unit or one of it sub-folders as containers. New folders can be created also from this steps without going back to the EMC Data Domain virtual appliance.

By clicking on “Populate” button Veaam can read the actual storage capacity. For now we can leave the rest of the options unchanged. Veeam setup wizard will check and suggest the best ones based infrastructure selected.

At this point we need to specify a server which will act as a mount point for restore operations.By default the Veeam Backup Server is selected. If other servers are available for this purpose they can be specified here.

And now a final review of the main settings.

At this point Veeam is committing the changes. I would advise to review the log messages making sure everything is a working order.

As a last step Veeam will ask if the default Backup location should be changed to the new Repository. Let’s run a quick test and then make our decision.

It’s now time to test our first Backup to a Data Domain Repository. So I did create a Job from Veeam to run a Backup for one of my running VMs (a Firewall  based on a CentOS distribution) and from the EMC Data Domain Dashboard we can see the various real-time statics including the DD Boost Data Throughput as in the picture below.

And if we take a look at the Job History in Veeam we can see the successful job is complete.

What’s next? Discover and learn more about Veeam new features knowing we can couple them with encryption, deduplication and faster storage to the best of our home lab specs!