Mapping an existing Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows backup chain to a Veeam Backup & Replication repository

Challenge

You need to map an existing Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows backup chain to a Veeam Backup & Replication repository

Cause

There are no features in Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows that would allow mapping existing backups to Veeam Backup & Replication, however it is possible to copy a local backup chain to a Veeam Backup & Replication repository and continue using it.

Solution

Here is the list of steps for mapping a local backup chain to a Veeam Backup & Replication repository.

1. Create a backup with Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows at any temporary backup destination of your choice.

If a Veeam Backup & Replication repository was used,

• remove the existing Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows backup job from jobs (right lick > Delete)
• remove the backup files from configuration: right click Disk (backups) > Endpoint Backups > Remove from configuration. 

2. Place the backup chain into the required folder.

2.1 Example for a non-cloud repository

Backup files reside in C:\VeeamBackup\Backup Job 1 and need to be moved to a Veeam Backup & Replication repository into the following folder: C:\Backup.

Under C:\Backup you will need to create a folder named after the account that is used to access the repository. In this example, the account is DOMAIN1\user1, so the folder name would be DOMAIN1_user1.

The complete path to the backup files would be C:\Backup\DOMAIN1_user1\Backup Job 1

2.2 Example for a cloud repository

The backup files reside in C:\VeeamBackup\Backup Job 1 and need to be moved to a cloud Veeam repository into following folder: C:\Backup.

Under C:\Backup you will need to create a folder named after the tenant account that is used to access the repository. If the account name is Tenant2, the complete path to the backup files would be C:\Backup\Tenant2\Backup Job 1

If a subtenant is used with the account name Subtenant3, the path will be C:\Backup\Tenant2\Subtenant3\Backup Job 1

3. Rescan the Veeam Backup & Replication repository. Here is a brief guide on repository rescan. (Warning: Skip this step if you are using a Cloud Connect repository)

4. The Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows backup should appear under Disk > Imported.

5. Point the Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows job to the required Veeam Backup & Replication repository. Do not run it immediately, just close the wizard after making the changes.

6. On the Veeam Backup & Replication machine, the backup should be moved from the Imported section to Backup > Disk. Make sure that backups are located in Backups > Disks (not Disk (imported)).

7. Run the Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows backup job. It should continue the imported backup chain.

Note: The described solution works for Veeam Backup & Replication repository and Veeam Cloud Connect repository.

More Information

If you have any questions, open a case with Veeam Support.