585 New Features and Enhancements in Veeam Backup & Replication v12: A Game-Changer for Modern Data Platforms
Introduction:
Veeam has just released version 12 of its flagship product, Veeam Backup & Replication, which brings with it a staggering 585 new features and enhancements. This release represents a significant milestone for the company as it transitions into the next phase of its journey targeting growth in the modern data platform world. As a Veeam evangelist, I am thrilled to share my thoughts on this exciting release and highlight some of the top new features that will benefit our customers and partners.
Top New Features:
1. Continuous Data Protection (CDP): This feature was first introduced in v11 but lacked a few key features for Cloud and Service Provider partners. In v12, we have made several improvements, including support for deploying CDP proxies on Linux servers, Veeam Cloud Connect support for on-premises Low RPO CDP replication including VMware Cloud Director support, enhanced security with TLS protocol communication, and better data protection and recovery options for Service Providers and their tenants.
2. Direct to Object Storage: This feature has been requested since we first introduced the ability to move data into an object storage repository via Scale Out Backup Repository policies. In v12, we now allow for direct backup to object storage, leveraging the scalability and reliability of both on-premises and cloud object storage.
3. Cloud Agents: We have developed a revolutionary new method of connecting a backup server to virtual machines living in public clouds, eliminating the need for a VPN. This feature allows for cloud VM backups to be restored to any hyper-scaler or on-premises hypervisor VM, providing users with more flexibility and portability.
4. Immutable Backups: In v12, we have added immutable backups, which provide an additional layer of security against ransomware attacks and accidental data deletion.
5. Enhanced Storage Format: We have improved our storage format, which will get an upgrade if already in use from previous versions. This update provides better performance, reliability, and efficiency for our customers.
6. Health Check Light Feature: For Agent-based Object Storage targeted jobs, we have added a health check light feature to ensure that backups are running smoothly and efficiently.
7. Wasabi Integration: We have integrated with Wasabi, a cloud storage provider known for its low costs and high performance. This integration allows our customers to take advantage of Wasabi’s scalability and reliability for their backup needs.
8. Smart Object Storage API: Our new smart object storage API enables seamless interaction with object storage platforms like Amazon S3, Microsoft Azure Blob Storage, and Google Cloud Storage.
Other Notable Features:
1. Direct-to-Cloud Backup: v12 allows for direct backup to cloud storage, providing a more efficient and integrated backup solution for object storage.
2. Spaceless Full Backups: We have eliminated the need for spaceless full backups, which were required in previous versions. This feature provides better performance and reduces the load on the server.
3. Enhanced Transaction Log Storage: We have improved transaction log storage to provide better data protection and recovery options for Service Providers and their tenants.
4. Detection of Sparse Blocks: In v12, we have added the ability to detect sparse blocks, which improves performance and reduces network traffic.
5. Agent Updates: We have updated our Agents with numerous improvements, including better performance, reliability, and efficiency.
Conclusion:
Veeam Backup & Replication v12 is a game-changer for modern data platforms, offering 585 new features and enhancements that elevate the platform’s capabilities and value. With this release, Veeam has solidified its position as a leader in the backup and recovery software market, providing customers with more efficient, integrated, and secure data protection options. I highly recommend all Veeam users to study the What’s New document and explore the new features and enhancements that will benefit their specific needs.