Which Veeam v13 ISO Should You Download? Complete Edition Selection Guide

Which Veeam v13 ISO Should You Download? Complete Edition Selection Guide


Last week, a friend posted in a group chat: "Downloaded the Veeam V13 ISO, but the upgrade failed."


I asked him: "Which one did you download?"


He said: "The Veeam Data Platform Premium ISO, the 20 GB one."


I sighed and waved my hand: "You downloaded the wrong ISO file."


Core Change in V13: VDP Premium ISO Can No Longer Be Used


This change in V13 left many people confused at first.


In the past, when upgrading Veeam, no matter which ISO you downloaded, you could use it to upgrade the VBR server.


In V12, one Veeam Data Platform ISO worked for everything. Not anymore.


Starting with V13, the Veeam Data Platform Premium ISO cannot be used to upgrade VBR.


Honestly, this change was quite sudden. But if you didn't know and, like my friend, downloaded the 20 GB ISO only to find out it couldn't be used when you tried to upgrade—that's a waste of time.


Three Types of ISO—Don’t Mix Them Up Anymore


V13 now has three main types of ISO, each with completely different uses.


1. VBR ISO (Use This for Upgrades)

Filename: VeeamBackup&Replication_13.0.x.xxxx_[date].iso

Size: 16.56 GB

Purpose:

- Upgrade from V12 Windows to V13 Windows VBR

- Fresh install of Windows-based VBR

Remember: Want to upgrade VBR? Download this one.


2. VSA ISO (For New Linux Deployments)

Filename: VeeamSoftwareAppliance_13.0.x.xxxx_[date].iso

Size: 12.19 GB

Purpose:

- Deploy a pre-hardened Linux-based virtual appliance

- Only supports fresh deployments; does not support migrating configurations from V12

Remember: Want to use the Linux version of Veeam? Try it for new environments.


3. VDP Premium ISO (Complete Premium Edition)

Filename: VeeamDataPlatform_13.0.x.xxxx_[date].iso

Size: Includes VBR + Veeam ONE + VRO (full suite, approx. 18.8 GB)

Purpose:

- Fresh installation of the complete Veeam Data Platform environment

- Includes VBR + Veeam ONE + VRO


Use it for fresh installations of the full suite. Don’t choose this for upgrading VBR.


Three Common Mistakes


Mistake 1: Using VDPP ISO to Upgrade VBR


This is the most common one.


The reason is simple: In V12, that’s how it was done—you downloaded a VDP ISO and upgraded.


In V13, that habit is hard to break.


Result? You download 19 GB, wait forever, and then find there’s no upgrade option in the installer.


Solution: Re-download the VBR-specific ISO, the 16.56 GB one.


Mistake 2: Trying to Use VSA with Socket Licenses


VSA (Linux version) only supports VUL licenses.


If you still have old Socket licenses and want to use VSA?


Not possible.


Solution: Either keep using the Windows version of VBR (supports Socket licenses) or convert to VUL licenses when renewing.


Mistake 3: Ignoring Network Port Changes


V13 changed the network communication protocol.


It used Microsoft RPC and Microsoft WMI; now it uses gRPC.


NTLM authentication is also deprecated, replaced by Kerberos.


If you don’t check your firewall rules, you might find backup tasks can’t connect after upgrading.


Solution: Check the official documentation before upgrading to confirm which ports need to be open.

Check these 5 things before downloading

screenshot of Veeam V13 iso types


Recommendations


Don’t Rush into VSA


VSA (Linux version) is a major feature of V13—pre-hardened, auto-updating, high security.


But keep these points in mind:

- V13 doesn’t support configuration migration; only fresh deployments

- Some advanced features aren’t yet supported in the web console

- Is your team more familiar with Windows or Linux?


If your current VBR is running smoothly, I recommend:

- Windows users stick with the Windows version of V13

- Consider VSA for new environments

- Give VSA some time to mature


Three Specific Suggestions


1. Test First in a Lab Environment

Don’t upgrade directly in production.


Run through the process in a test environment first and iron out any issues ahead of time.


2. Check the Filename Before Downloading

VeeamBackup&Replication_... → This is the VBR upgrade ISO


VeeamDataPlatform_... → This is the full suite ISO


Don’t mix them up again.


3. Keep Old ISOs for at Least a Year

Veeam’s official site usually only offers the latest version for download.


What if you run into issues and need to roll back? Or want to deploy a new environment with an older version?


Don’t delete the old ISOs after downloading the new one.

🔍 Why Choosing the Correct Veeam v13 ISO Matters

With Veeam Backup & Replication v13, multiple ISO options are available, each designed for different deployment scenarios.
Downloading the wrong ISO can lead to:

  • Failed installations

  • Missing components

  • Unsupported upgrade paths

  • Wasted deployment time

Understanding which Veeam v13 ISO you should download ensures a smooth and supported installation.


🔹 Veeam v13 Official Download Page

🔹 Upgrade & Installation Related

🔹 Security & Feature Context


Posted by at No comments:
Tags , , , , , ,

Veeam Agent Installation Error – Causes, Fixes, and Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Veeam Agent Installation Error – Causes, Fixes, and Proven Troubleshooting Steps


Today, while backing up a file server using Veeam, I encountered an error during agent installation: "Agent is managed by another Veeam server."

screenshot of veeam agent for windows install error


Solution


1. Connect to the host that needs to be backed up, type "regedit" in the search box to open Registry Editor (run as administrator):


2. Locate Veeam's registry location HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Veeam, and delete the Veeam entry:

screenshot of fix veeam agent for windows install error


3. Then execute the agent installation again from the Veeam server:


At this point, the error about being managed by another Veeam server no longer appears, and the issue is resolved.

you can also refer to blog links to learn more details

Veeam Agent for Windows Documentation

  • Veeam Agent for Linux Documentation


    • 🔍 Why Veeam Agent Installation Errors Are So Common

    The Veeam Agent installation error usually appears in real-world environments with:

    • Strict firewall rules

    • Hardened security policies

    • Incomplete OS prerequisites

    • Failed push installations from VBR

    Understanding the root cause is critical—reinstalling blindly often makes the issue worse.


    🧠 Common Root Causes of Veeam Agent Installation Errors

    Based on field experience, most failures fall into these categories:

    • Missing OS dependencies (.NET, glibc, kernel headers)

    • Blocked network ports (RPC, SMB, SSH)

    • Insufficient privileges or expired credentials

    • Antivirus or EDR is blocking the installer

    • Corrupted installer cache or interrupted push deployment

    Identifying the correct category saves significant troubleshooting time.

    🛠 Practical Troubleshooting Checklist

    Before retrying installation, verify the following:

    • OS version is supported by the installed Veeam version

    • Firewall allows required ports (135/445 for Windows, 22 for Linux)

    • The endpoint has enough disk space

    • Antivirus exclusions are configured for Veeam directories

    • DNS and hostname resolution work correctly

    This checklist alone resolves a large percentage of installation failures.


    🔹 Directly Related (Highly Recommended)

    🔹 Security & Reliability Context



    Posted by at No comments:
    Tags , , , , , ,

    Practical Method for Resetting vCenter Password – Safe Recovery Without Reinstall

    Practical Method for Resetting vCenter Password – Safe Recovery Without Reinstall


     Introduction

    Recently, while upgrading a customer's vCenter, I encountered a situation where the root password was unknown. The customer also asked around but couldn't find it. To recover this root password, I did some research, and today I'm sharing it here. The practical environment for this operation: VMware vSphere vCenter 8.0.


    Steps:

    1. Use the Administrator@vsphere.local account to log in to https://vCenterIP:5480.

    2. Navigate to the "Access" tab and check whether vCenter SSH login is enabled. If SSH remote access is not activated, click "Edit" and enable "Activate SSH Login."

    3. Use the Administrator@vsphere.local account to SSH remotely into the vCenter server.

    4. Type "shell.set --enabled true" to enable the shell function.

     
shell.set--enabled true


    5. Type "shell" to enter the shell bash interface.

    6. Use "sudo passwd root" to update the root password. Enter the new password twice.

    screenshot of VMware vSphere vCenter 8.0 root password reset


    7. Sometimes the account might be locked, so we need to unlock it first.

    version before 8.0 u2 

     
sudo pam_tally2 --user=root --reset


    version after 8.0 u2 (include 8.0 u2)

     
sudo /usr/sbin/faillock --user root --reset

    Your Can Refer to this VMware official document:

    🔍 Why vCenter Password Reset Is a Common Admin Challenge

    Password-related lockouts are one of the most frequent vCenter operational issues, especially in environments with:

    • Password expiration policies

    • Staff turnover

    • MFA misconfiguration

    • Limited documentation

    Using a practical and supported vCenter password reset method helps administrators restore access without risking data loss or reinstallation.

    🛠 Common Scenarios That Require Resetting vCenter Passwords

    You may need to reset a vCenter password when:

    • The root or administrator password is forgotten

    • vCenter services are running, but the login fails

    • Password expired, and SSH access is blocked

    • Appliance shell is disabled

    • Access is needed urgently during outages

    This practical reset approach minimizes downtime and avoids unnecessary rebuilds.

    ✅ Best Practices Before Resetting vCenter Passwords

    Before performing a password reset, always:

    • Take a snapshot of the vCenter appliance

    • Ensure console access via ESXi or vSphere

    • Confirm the exact vCenter version

    • Schedule a maintenance window if possible

    These steps reduce the risk of recovery and help ensure a smooth reset process.

    🔹 Password & Recovery Related

    🔹 Service & Access Troubleshooting




    Posted by at No comments:
    Tags , , , , , ,

    Veeam 12 Upgrade Failed – Root Cause Analysis and How the Issue Was Finally Resolved

    Veeam 12 Upgrade Failed – Root Cause Analysis and How the Issue Was Finally Resolved


    Recently, due to security vulnerabilities, I was performing an upgrade to Veeam Backup & Replication version 12.3. Today, upgrading one Veeam instance failed. This article documents the analysis process and the solution.

    screenshot vbr upgrade error


    Problem Analysis

    According to the prompt, checking the log (SetupBackupCheckerBR_26_10_2025_20_50_44.log) shows the error content:

    

ERROR [PGSQL] 28000: SSPI authentication failed for user "postgres" (Npgsql.PostgresException)


    From the error message, it can be seen that error code 28000 indicates authentication failure, and SSPI (Security Support Provider Interface) is an authentication mechanism used by Windows. This error is a PostgreSQL database authentication failure. Some possible causes for the error are:


    • Windows user mismatch
    • pg_hba.conf configuration issue
    • Service account permission issues


    I suspected it was due to a Windows user mismatch because I was logged in with my own domain account, while the account that installed this VBR was a different one. Since there was no authorization, it couldn't connect to the PostgreSQL instance.


    So I checked the Veeam official explanation:

    This error occurs when the account used to interact with the PostgreSQL instance is not authorized.


    Sure enough, since my account wasn't authorized, it naturally couldn't perform the upgrade operation. The solution is quite simple: use the account that deployed the VBR installation to perform the upgrade operation.


    Checking the C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\15\data\pg_ident.conf configuration file:


    This configuration file records the domain account used during the VBR installation. I didn't have the password for this account, and the colleague who owned it had already left the company, so it couldn't be used. In this case, the only option was to add a new domain account. You can refer to the following steps.


    Solution

    Check the Veeam PostgreSQL log (C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\15\data\log), scroll to the end where the error occurred:


    Add the above domain account to the C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\15\data\pg_ident.conf configuration file:

    screenshot of Veeam fix sspi authentication error


    Save the file, then re-run the upgrade operation:


    Problem solved, upgrade completed.


    If the hostname of the VBR host has been changed, you might also encounter this issue and need to update the pg_ident.conf file.

    Note: Starting from Veeam 12, the underlying data storage can use a PostgreSQL database.

    Why Veeam 12 Upgrade Failures Are Often Misleading

    Many administrators assume a Veeam 12 upgrade failure is caused by installer bugs or corrupted packages. In reality, upgrade errors are frequently triggered by environmental issues such as:

    • Insufficient disk space on system or configuration volumes

    • Leftover services or locked processes

    • Repository metadata inconsistencies

    • Unsupported OS or missing prerequisites

    These hidden problems often surface only during the upgrade process, making root cause analysis critical.

    Key Lessons Learned from This Veeam 12 Upgrade Case

    This case highlights several important upgrade best practices:

    • Always validate disk space and file system health before upgrading

    • Stop all Veeam-related services cleanly

    • Check Windows Event Viewer and Veeam logs, not just installer messages

    • Do not ignore “non-critical” warnings shown during pre-checks

    Veeam upgrades are reliable—but only when the environment is clean.

    ✅ Recommended Pre-Upgrade Checklist for Veeam 12

    Before upgrading Veeam Backup & Replication, ensure:

    • Backup repositories are online and healthy

    • No active backup or replication jobs are running

    • Windows updates are completed

    • Antivirus exclusions are configured for Veeam directories

    • A configuration backup has been taken

    📌 External reference (Veeam official upgrade guide):
    https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backup/vsphere/upgrade_vbr.html

    Posted by at No comments:
    Tags , , , , , ,

    vCenter 8.0 Password Recovery from GRUB – Step-by-Step Root Access Guide

     

    vCenter 8.0 Password Recovery from GRUB – Step-by-Step Root Access Guide

    A few days ago, I installed vCenter 8.0 to use as a lab environment, but after installation, I found that no matter what password I entered, it was incorrect. After several attempts, I realized I had remembered the wrong password, so I'm documenting this article to help myself and others figure out what to do when you forget your vCenter password.


    This article outlines the steps to reset the root password on the ESXi host where vCenter is installed, including reboot procedures, modifying command-line options, and using vDCA to generate a new administrator password.

    Introduction

    Losing administrative access to VMware vCenter 8.0 can quickly turn into a critical outage. Fortunately, VMware provides a supported way to recover the vCenter root password using GRUB mode, allowing administrators to regain control without reinstalling the vCenter Server Appliance (vCSA).

    This guide explains how vCenter 8.0 password recovery from GRUB works, when to use it, and best practices to avoid future lockouts.

    Resetting the root account password


    1. First, to reset the root password, log in to the ESXi host where vCenter is installed and reboot vCenter.

    2. Open the virtual console. When the Photon interface appears, press the "e" key to enter the "Options" settings.

    screenshot of VMware vcenter login

    3. After pressing "e", the GNU GRUB interface appears.

    screenshot of Vmware vcenter GNU GRUB

    4. Add "rw init=/bin/bash" after "fips=1", then press "F10" or "Ctrl+X" to boot into the system.

       This mounts the root filesystem in read-write mode (rw) and specifies the system initialization process as the bash shell (init=/bin/bash), bypassing the normal login process and directly entering a command-line environment with root privileges, used for system troubleshooting (such as resetting passwords, modifying configuration files, etc.).

    screenshot of Vmware vcenter GNU GRUB reset passwd

    5. Enter the following commands in sequence:

       mount -o remount,rw / (Remount the already mounted filesystem with read-write permissions to the root directory)

       passwd root (Change the root password)

       Enter the new password

       Enter the new password again

       umount / (Unmount the root filesystem)

       reboot -f (Force reboot the system)

     
mount -o remount,rw / 
passwd root
New password
Retype new password
umount /
reboot -f


    Modifying the vCenter password

    1. Open the virtual console and press "Alt+F1" to enter the vc command-line interface.

    2. Log in with the root account using the newly reset root password.

    3. Enter "shell" to enable BASH.

    screenshot of modifying the vmware vcenter passwd

    4. Use the "vdcadmintool" command tool to reset the password. Enter the command "/usr/lib/vmware-vmdir/bin/vdcadmintool".

    screenshot of VMware vcenter vdcadmintool

    5. Select option 3, "Reset account password", to reset the account password. Enter "3" and press "Enter".

    6. Enter "administrator@vsphere.local" and press "Enter". A random password will be generated.

    7. Copy the generated random password, open the vc page in a browser, and log in.

    8. After entering vc, click the account icon in the upper right corner and select "Change Password".

    9. After changing the password, click confirm.

    Conclusion

    The vCenter 8.0 account password reset process is now complete. For newcomers to the IT field, especially those getting familiar with data center infrastructure, small issues like forgetting a password are actually great opportunities to understand the underlying system logic. It helps you better understand vCenter's boot process, the role of command-line tools (like passwd and vdcadmintool), and more.

    However, prevention is always better than recovery—secure your vCenter access, monitor password policies, and document emergency procedures to stay in control of your virtual infrastructure.

    Related troubleshooting guide:
    https://anfuitblog.blogspot.com/2025/09/how-to-reset-vmware-vcenter-67-root.html

    Posted by at No comments:
    Tags , , , , ,
    Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)