Veeam announced the availability of version 6.1 of Backup and Replication (BaR) a few weeks ago. Along with performance improvements, a new GUI, and a free version, Veeam also introduced a new feature called VeeamZIP.
So what exactly is VeeamZIP and when would you use it? Here is how it is explained in the What’s New document:
VeeamZIP
Version 6.1 includes a new capability for performing ad-hoc backups. In many ways, it functions like a zip utility for VMs. For this reason, it’s called VeeamZIP. Use VeeamZIP whenever you need to:
- Backup a VM on-the-fly (for example, before making changes to it). Instead of running the regular backup job (which typically contains multiple VMs and a specified number of restore points) or creating a new backup job, simply VeeamZIP the VM.
- Archive a VM (for example, before decommissioning it). VeeamZIP is a powerful weapon in the fight against VM sprawl. You no longer need to keep unused VMs just in case someone comes around later asking for them. Instead, VeeamZIP and then delete unused VMs. It’s a great way to reclaim expensive production storage.
- Copy a VM (to your test lab, training center, to give to a client, etc.). To install the VM in a new location, simply restore it from the backup using Veeam Backup & Replication or Veeam BackupTM Free Edition (see next section).
- Unlike copying, cloning or exporting a VM:
- You can VeeamZIP a VM without pausing or powering it off.
- VeeamZIP compresses and deduplicates the data to minimize file size. –
- VMs are fully encapsulated, and all configuration settings are correctly restored. –
- Thin provisioned disks are maintained as thin throughout the backup and restore process.
- You can extract guest files from the backup.
- You can use VeeamZIP from the Veeam backup console. You can also install Veeam Backup Free Edition on your workstation and use VeeamZIP there.
- Running VeeamZIP from your workstation can be useful, for example, if you want to VeeamZIP a VM to a USB stick or local hard drive. Of course, you still need permissions in your virtual infrastructure to perform a backup.
A questionable reputation
Most people so far seem to be associating VeeamZIP with just the free version of BaR v6.1. Fact is that, although the free version does feature VeeamZIP, the full version allows you to use VeeamZIP with an extra benefit – You can create an ad-hoc backup of multiple VMs!
To use VeeamZIP in the licensed (or fully functioning trial version) go to Virtual Machines, select the Management Server or Hypervisor, and then shift select or ctrl select your VMs.
You will then be able to use the VeeamZIP button or right-click the selected VMs to start your job.
select multiple VMs and right click
Don’t let the name fool you
Contrary to the name, a VeeamZIP file does not have a .zip extension. It is actually a Full Veeam backup file with a .vbk extension. Just like all Veeam .vbks, it is deduped and compressed to use as little space as possible. You have full control where you save the VeeamZIP file.
It’s all about the restore
Finally, you can do restores from the VeeamZIP file. You don’t even have to import the .vbk back into Veeam. Just open Windows Explorer on the Veeam Server, Browse to where you saved the VeeamZIP .vbk and double-click it.
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