Veeam and Microsoft Strengthen Partnership with New Investment in Cloud Data Protection
Introduction
Veeam, a global leader in data backup and recovery solutions, has announced an expanded investment in Microsoft technologies. This partnership strengthens cloud-native backup, Azure data protection, and enterprise resilience strategies for businesses worldwide.
Earlier this year, Microsoft made a strategic investment in Veeam Software. But this wasn't just about funding—it represented a fundamental shift in the Microsoft 365 backup landscape. For years, backup vendors have had to constantly battle Microsoft's APIs, dealing with either throttling limits or building their own infrastructure. Now, Veeam finds itself in a unique position, noticeably different from other vendors. So what exactly did Veeam gain? How is Microsoft treating them differently? Let's take a closer look.
1. More Than Money: What Veeam Really Got
While Microsoft's financial backing is significant, what's more important is that it essentially serves as an official stamp of approval for Veeam's status. This provides strong validation, especially valuable ahead of a potential future IPO. But the benefits go much further:
• Faster AI Integration: This is one of the most immediate advantages. Veeam is working closely with Microsoft to deeply integrate AI and machine learning into its platform. This means:
- More sensitive threat detection: Using AI to identify suspicious activity and ransomware in real-time.
- Smarter recovery: Automated recovery processes that enable businesses to quickly bounce back from security incidents.
- Deeper data insights: Extracting value from M365 and Azure backup data to improve operational efficiency.
In short, Veeam is building a next-generation data protection solution with proactive defense and intelligent response capabilities.
• Deep Integration with the New Microsoft 365 Backup Service: This is where things get really interesting. Microsoft recently launched its M365 Backup service based on a consumption billing model. This service uses completely new, specially optimized APIs that completely solve the throttling issues that plagued the old Graph API.
This creates a powerful hybrid model: Microsoft handles high-performance storage, while Veeam provides comprehensive backup management.
- Veeam is among the first strategic partners and deeply integrated vendors.
- Enterprise customers pay Microsoft directly for backup storage (approximately $0.15 per GB per month), while Veeam handles backup management, granular recovery, and additional off-site storage capabilities.
• Joint Sales and Market Exposure: The companies have launched joint sales initiatives to promote Veeam Data Cloud for M365 and Azure to more customers, providing tangible benefits to Veeam's brand and market share.
• Continuous Innovation and Future Compatibility: Veeam's products will remain tightly coupled with Microsoft's latest technologies, including future support for Entra ID, Copilot, and new features continuously rolling out in the Azure ecosystem.
2. Deep Dive: What Makes the New "Fast Lane" So Special?
Many might wonder: Was the old Graph API really that slow? Does the "optimized access" really offer such significant improvements? These are valid questions in the M365 backup space, so let's compare them in detail.
Traditional Graph API (The Old Way)
Previously, most backup vendors used Graph API to pull data from Microsoft's cloud—emails, files, SharePoint sites, Teams chat records, everything relied on it. The process looked something like this:
- Backup software had to pull data itself.
- Every API request required authentication, queuing, and network transmission.
- Once backup scales increased, Microsoft would throttle the requests.
Main bottlenecks:
Throttling: This was the biggest pain point. Too many backup requests would return 429 errors (Too Many Requests) with "retry later" messages.
API call overhead: More files meant more API calls, slowing down performance.
Network latency: Data had to travel across the public internet to vendors' servers.
High complexity: Different M365 services had different API behaviors, requiring vendors to write extensive logic for retries and error handling.
Long backup windows: A full backup could take days to complete.
Typical performance: 15-20 MB/s per tenant was considered normal—truly impressive in the worst way.
New Microsoft 365 Backup Service (Optimized Access)
Microsoft has now built a dedicated backup service within its own cloud, completely different from the sluggish Graph API approach:
- Both backup and recovery happen within Microsoft's internal network.
- No public internet routing, no throttling—efficiency skyrockets.
- Third-party vendors simply connect to this service, and Microsoft handles the rest.
The advantages are clear:
1. Throttling was essentially eliminated: The internal is designed for high throughput.
2. Extreme speed: Microsoft claims backup and recovery performance exceeds 1TB/hour.
3. Low latency: Data replicates within the same cloud region without crossing the internet.
4. "Push/internal replication" model: Vendors no longer need to pull data piece by piece.
5. Higher RPO/RTO: More frequent backups and shorter recovery times.
Real-world performance: Backups that used to take days can now complete in hours.
Compare the two in one table:
Feature
Traditional Graph API
New M365 Backup Service
Performance
Slow (approx. 15–20MB/s)
Very fast (>1TB/hour)
Throttling
Main bottleneck
Basically eliminated
Latency
High
Low
Model
Vendor actively pulls data
Microsoft internal replication
Cost
No API fees, vendor charges for software & storage
Microsoft charges per GB + vendor fees
Recoverability
Slow for large-scale recovery
Fast recovery, still supports granularity
3. What About Other Backup Vendors?
Some might ask: Is Microsoft giving Veeam special treatment? Not exactly—Veeam just got a head start in this strategic initiative:
- Graph API remains available: Other vendors can still use the old method, but throttling issues persist.
- New backup service is open to all: Any vendor can integrate if they choose. However, regardless of which software customers use, they'll pay Microsoft for storage (whether Veeam pays too remains unclear).
- Veeam's first-mover advantage: Veeam leads in technical integration and product rollout. Microsoft's investment also deepens its collaboration, ensuring smoother innovation and market promotion going forward.
Why This Partnership Matters
The collaboration between Veeam and Microsoft is not just about financial investment—it’s about deep integration across hybrid and multi-cloud platforms.
Key benefits include:
Enhanced Azure-native backup and restore options.
Streamlined Microsoft 365 data protection.
Greater security against ransomware through immutable backups.
📌 According to Microsoft Azure’s official blog, cloud adoption continues to accelerate, making backup and disaster recovery more critical than ever.
Veeam’s Role in Hybrid Cloud and Microsoft Ecosystem
With this investment, Veeam is focusing on:
Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) backup for containerized apps.
Microsoft 365 recovery enhancements for Teams, SharePoint, and Exchange.
Hybrid cloud disaster recovery with seamless data portability.
Improved compliance with data governance standards.
Future-proof strategies for protecting workloads across multi-cloud environments.
With Microsoft’s infrastructure and Veeam’s expertise, IT leaders gain more control, flexibility, and confidence in managing critical data.
Conclusion
The Veeam and Microsoft investment signals a stronger future for cloud-based data protection and enterprise resilience. Businesses running workloads in Azure or hybrid environments will benefit from tighter integration, faster recovery, and improved security.
For organizations seeking a reliable backup and recovery strategy, this partnership delivers the tools needed to safeguard data in an evolving IT landscape.
Virtualization powers most data centers today, and VMware ESXi Troubleshooting 2025 skills are essential for every IT admin. A single misstep can bring dozens of virtual machines offline, costing time and money. This guide highlights the 10 most common ESXi errors and shows quick ways to fix them.
1. Network Adapter Down
Symptom: VMs lose connectivity, pings fail. Fix:
Check the physical NIC status in the ESXi Host Client.
Ensure correct VLAN tagging and switch port configuration.
Backup configuration and use a fresh ISO if the upgrade repeatedly fails.
Extra Troubleshooting Tips
Log Insight: Collect and analyze ESXi logs centrally.
Health Checks: Schedule regular network/storage diagnostics.
Knowledge Base: Bookmark VMware KB for error-specific fixes.
FAQ – Common Questions
Which ESXi errors happen most in 2025?
Network, datastore access, and snapshot issues remain the top causes of downtime.
Is vCenter mandatory for troubleshooting?
No, ESXi Host Client and DCUI allow direct host repair when vCenter is offline.
Can I automate monitoring?
Yes, use vRealize Operations or open-source tools like Prometheus exporters for ESXi.
Conclusion: Stay Ahead of Outages
VMware ESXi Troubleshooting 2025 doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By learning the 10 most frequent errors and practicing these quick fixes, admins can cut downtime and keep workloads stable. Bookmark this guide and revisit it before your next upgrade or audit.
Pro Tip: Test changes in a lab first — prevention beats repair.
Veeam Backup & Replication 13: 7 Powerful New Features
Introduction: Why This Release Matters
Data loss is every IT manager’s nightmare. That’s why Veeam Backup & Replication 13 is such big news. With stronger automation, faster recovery, and closer monitoring, this version sets a new standard in data protection. Alongside it, Veeam ONE 13 gives teams sharper insights into system health. Let’s look at what’s new and why you should upgrade.
What’s New in Veeam Backup & Replication 13
1. Smarter Backup Flexibility
Version 13 introduces better workload support across virtual, physical, and cloud systems. Whether you run VMware, Hyper-V, or AWS, the software adapts easily. This means fewer compatibility headaches when protecting hybrid environments.
Unified policy templates for cloud and on-prem
Streamlined wizard for quick job creation
2. Accelerated Recovery Speeds
Time is money during an outage. Veeam now leverages parallel processing and enhanced instant recovery, cutting restore windows significantly. According to Veeam’s own benchmarks, many environments see 20–30% faster recovery versus v12 (source).
Tip: Test recovery jobs quarterly so your team is ready when disaster strikes.
3. Stronger Ransomware Defense
Cyberattacks keep rising. V13 adds immutable backups on more storage types, plus advanced malware detection. This extra layer ensures attackers can’t simply encrypt or delete your recovery points.
4. Simplified Cloud Integration
Managing backups across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud just got easier. Unified credential handling and lightweight agents reduce setup time for multi-cloud strategies.
Veeam ONE 13: Monitoring Reimagined
1. Real-Time Dashboards
The new interface highlights risk instantly with color-coded alerts and drill-down options. IT teams see exactly which resources need attention before an outage happens.
2. Deeper Compliance Reporting
From GDPR to HIPAA, meeting data laws is simpler. Reports now map policies to specific workloads, so auditors have clear evidence of protection steps.
3. Capacity Planning Upgrades
Forecasting growth is tricky. Veeam ONE 13 analyzes trends, predicts when storage will max out, and even suggests how to reallocate resources.
Upgrade Checklist: Smooth Transition to Version 13
Thinking of upgrading? Follow these quick steps:
Review system requirements: Confirm your hardware meets v13 specs.
Backup your configuration: Export settings before you start.
Test in a lab: Validate new policies before production rollout.
If you run older versions, plan downtime carefully—most upgrades are in-place but check Veeam’s upgrade guide for details.
Why IT Teams Should Upgrade Now
By pairing Veeam Backup & Replication 13 with Veeam ONE 13, you get an end-to-end solution: rapid backups, bulletproof restores, and crystal-clear monitoring. Skipping this release means missing stronger ransomware resilience and smoother cloud operations.
Internal teams we’ve supported have seen:
40% fewer failed backup jobs after migrating to v13
Faster issue detection thanks to ONE’s proactive alerts
Conclusion: Secure Your Future with Veeam
The latest Veeam suite isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a commitment to resilient, modern IT. With smarter backups, stronger recovery, and sharper analytics, Veeam Backup & Replication 13 and Veeam ONE 13 make staying protected easier than ever. Start planning your upgrade today and keep your business data safe, no matter what comes next.
VMware Troubleshooting Guide – Fix Common ESXi and vCenter Issues Step by Step
Introduction
Running virtualized environments with VMware provides powerful flexibility, but administrators often face challenges like storage problems, VM errors, and vCenter connection failures.
This VMware troubleshooting guide will walk you through common ESXi and vCenter issues and provide practical fixes to keep your infrastructure stable. Whether you are dealing with a datastore full error, snapshot problems, or VMware vCenter service outages, these solutions will help you maintain performance and reliability.
1. Fixing VMware ESXi Storage Issues
One of the most common VMware problems is the datastore full error. This typically happens when:
Snapshots are left running too long
Old ISO files take up space
Log files grow uncontrollably
How to Fix
Identify space usage:
df -h
du -sh /vmfs/volumes/*
Delete unnecessary ISOs or logs.
Consolidate or remove old snapshots from the vSphere Client.
VMware environments are robust, but issues with storage, snapshots, networking, and vCenter services can disrupt operations. By following these VMware troubleshooting best practices, you can fix common errors quickly and maintain system stability.
The next time you face errors like “VMware ESXi datastore full” or “vCenter 503 Service Unavailable”, refer back to this guide for step-by-step solutions. A proactive approach with regular monitoring, snapshot management, and resource planning will help you prevent most issues before they impact your virtual infrastructure.
How to Enter the -MGMTDB Directory and Fix “cd -MGMTDB Invalid Option” Error in Oracle
Introduction
When working in Oracle Grid Infrastructure or RAC environments, administrators may run into the frustrating error:
[grid@host03 _mgmtdb]$ cd -MGMTDB
-bash: cd: -M: invalid option
This happens when trying to navigate into the -MGMTDB directory, which stores files for the Oracle Grid Management Database. The issue arises because the shell interprets the leading dash (-) as an option rather than a directory name.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to properly enter the -MGMTDB directory, why this error occurs, and provide practical solutions to fix it.
Why Does the “cd -MGMTDB Invalid Option” Error Happen
The primary cause is that the dash (-) at the start of -MGMTDB is treated as a shell flag. In Linux and Unix, any directory starting with a dash can trigger this issue.
Typical Scenarios
Navigating to -MGMTDB inside Oracle ASM.
Running scripts that reference the MGMTDB database files.
Misconfigured environment variables pointing to the wrong directory.
👉 Oracle officially documents this behavior in My Oracle Support Note 2392726.1, confirming that it is a syntax issue rather than a database error.
How to Enter the -MGMTDB Directory Correctly
1. Use “./” to Escape the Dash
If the directory is in the current path, run:
cd ./-MGMTDB
2. Use Double Dashes (“--”)
Tell the shell to stop interpreting options:
cd -- -MGMTDB
3. Use Absolute Path
If you know the full path, specify it directly:
cd /u01/app/oracle/diag/rdbms/-MGMTDB
Best Practices for Managing the MGMTDB Directory
Always use absolute paths in scripts to avoid shell misinterpretation.
If possible, avoid creating directories with a leading dash.
Document Oracle Grid Infrastructure paths clearly for other admins.
Regularly check ASM and MGMTDB logs to ensure stability.
The “cd -MGMTDB invalid option” error occurs because the shell treats -MGMTDB as an option instead of a directory. By using ./, --, or absolute paths, administrators can easily enter the directory and continue managing the Oracle MGMTDB database.
Mastering these simple shell tricks ensures smooth navigation in Oracle environments and avoids unnecessary downtime.
