In the latest version of Veeam Backup & Replication, a significant amount of love has been shown to Linux users. One of the most exciting features is the ability to assign a Linux VM the role of a backup proxy. This new functionality allows organizations to leverage their existing patch management systems for their production workloads and ensure the same level of security and patching for their proxies as well.

As a virtualization expert, I found it intriguing to explore the possibilities of automating the deployment of proxy servers. Thankfully, Veeam Backup & Replication has an excellent PowerShell extension that makes automation a breeze. My colleague Anthony Spiteri has also developed a comprehensive project called “Project Ōtosukēru” based on Terraform, which may be of interest to those looking to automate their proxy deployments.

One potential issue with automating proxy deployments is the need for a test/lab environment. However, Veeam provides a small Linux operating system VMware called PhotonOS, which can be used for testing purposes. Instead of performing a traditional install and setup, I decided to use the prebuilt Linux appliance as the source for my proxies.

The script I have developed performs four different tasks:

1. Configures the location and working directory for the downloaded files.

2. Downloads the OVA file and sets the name of the OVA.

3. Configures the Proxy VM with the specified vCPUs, vRAM, logon account, and default password.

4. Sets the IP address, DNS, and NTP server for the Proxy VM.

The script uses a configuration file named config.json to store the settings. The configuration file includes the following parameters:

1. location: Where files will be downloaded and the working directory.

2. ovasource: URL to the OVA.

3. ovaname: Name of the OVA.

4. ProxyBaseName: Base name of the Proxy VM to be deployed.

5. ProxyvCPU: Number of vCPUs to assign the Proxy VM.

6. ProxyvRAM: Amount of vRAM to assign the Proxy VM.

7. sshuser: Logon account for the Proxy VM.

8. ovainitialpassword: Default password of the OVA.

9. newsshpassword: New password to apply for the root user on the Proxy VM.

10. prod: Settings for the production environment, including the IP address of the Veeam Backup & Replication server, vCenter Server, and DNS settings.

To use the script, simply download both files (config.json and Deploy_Veeam_Linux_Proxy.ps1) to c:temp, and then you’re good to go! The script will download only what it requires, and all the settings can be adjusted in the config.json file to reflect your environment.

In conclusion, the new functionality in Veeam Backup & Replication version 10 allows Linux VMs to act as backup proxies, providing organizations with greater flexibility and the ability to leverage their existing patch management systems. With the help of PowerShell and automation tools like Project Ōtosukēru, deploying and managing proxy servers can be streamlined, making it easier for organizations to ensure the security and patching of their workloads.