How to configure Veeam B&R to work with replicated volume snapshots on the target Pure Storage array

Challenge

Replicated volume snapshots on the target Pure Storage array are not displayed in the storage system hierarchy in the Veeam Backup & Replication console.

Cause

The Pure Storage Plug-In for Veeam Backup & Replication version is earlier than 1.2.45 or the Veeam.Backup.PublicStoragePlugin.PureStorage.dll.config file is missing or improperly configured.

Solution

Starting from the Pure Storage Plug-In for Veeam Backup & Replication version 1.2.45, you can use replicated volume snapshots on the target Pure Storage array to browse or restore VM data.
To display replicated volume snapshots in the storage system hierarchy:

1. Make sure that the Veeam.Backup.PublicStoragePlugin.PureStorage.dll.config file exists in the plug-in installation folder.

NOTE: By default, the plug-in is installed to the Plugins\Storage\Pure Storage Inc subfolder of the Veeam Backup & Replication installation folder. If the configuration file does not exist, reinstall the plug-in.

2. Make sure that the ExposeShadowVolumes key in the configuration file has the True value:

<configuration>
  <appSettings>
    <add key="ExposeShadowVolumes" value="True"/>
  </appSettings>
</configuration>

If the configuration file exists and the key has the True value, Veeam Backup & Replication will create auxiliary volumes with the VEEAM-ShadowReplica prefix on the target Pure Storage array during the storage system rescan. After that, Veeam Backup & Replication will mount to the auxiliary volumes the replicated volume snapshots and display the snapshots in the storage system hierarchy.

More Information

Mind that after you change the key value to False, the auxiliary VEEAM-ShadowReplica volumes will actually remain on the target Pure Storage array. Veeam Backup & Replication deletes the auxiliary volumes only when the Pure Storage array is removed from the Veeam backup infrastructure. If you do not plan to remove the Pure Storage array from the Veeam backup infrastructure, you can delete the auxiliary volumes manually in the Pure Storage console.