V-79-57344-38762 V-79-57344-38392 Virtual machines hosted on VMware and running Windows Server 2016 or later do not support Granular Restore Technology (GRT) when Backup Exec server is running on Windows Server 2019

Problem

Backup Exec does not support Granular Restore Technology (GRT) processing of a virtual machine hosted on a VMware host under the following conditions:

• Backup Exec server is installed on Windows Server 2019.
• A VMware hosted virtual machine is being backed up with the GRT option enabled.
• The virtual machine is running Windows server 2016 or later operating system.

Error Message

V-79-57344-38392 - Backup Exec installed on Windows Server 2019, does not support GRT processing for VMware virtual machines running Windows Server 2016 or later.

UMI Code: V-79-57344-38392

Cause

In Backup Exec versions 21.1 or prior, mounting a disk of a Windows Server 2016 or later VM with REFS partition, a driver that is part of VDDK 6.7 causes Backup Exec server to blue screen and crash.

Backup Exec used VDDK 6.7 to backup virtual machines hosted on VMware. To avoid the blue screen, Backup Exec does not allow GRT processing of virtual machine with Windows Server 2016 or later version of operating systems irrespective of the file systems it has.

Solution

This issue is resolved in Backup Exec 21.2 R2.

Note:

• Backup Exec 21.2 or later uses VDDK 7.0.
• Backup Exec 21.2 installed on Windows 2019/2022 will support GRT except for the ReFS volumes of any VM. Exception in Job Log is reported - V-79-57344-38762 - The format of disk 'Refs Disk Drive letter' on the virtual machine is not supported on this version of Windows and therefore not supported by Granular Recovery Technology (GRT). A granular restore cannot be performed on this volume. [This limitation is due to VMware VDDK and may be addressed by VMware in a future release]
• To support GRT with BE 21.2 installed on Windows 2019, registry key mentioned below is no longer needed.
• BE 21.2 installed on Windows Server 2016 or below still supports GRT for ReFS volumes (with existing limitation that media server should have similar or higher version Operating system than VM being backed up)

For backup Exec versions 21.1 or prior please follow the workaround as mentioned below:

WORKAROUND

Warning: Incorrect use of the Windows registry editor may prevent the operating system from functioning properly. Great care should be taken when making changes to a Windows registry. Registry modifications should only be carried-out by persons experienced in the use of the registry editor application. It is recommended that a complete backup of the registry and workstation be made prior to making any registry changes.

In your environment if you have virtual machine with Window Server 2016 or later operating system and does not have REFS partitions, you can make a configuration change in the Backup Exec server, to allow GRT for such virtual machines.

To make the configuration change:

1. Go to Start > Run > Regedit.
2. Locate and select one of the following registry keys:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Symantec\Backup Exec For Windows\Backup Exec\Engine\VMware Agent          for BE20.x     or
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Veritas\Backup Exec For Windows\Backup Exec\Engine\VMware Agent               for BE21
3. Click Edit > New > DWORD (32-bit value).
4. Name it as Allow Unsupported Windows VM GRT and set the value to 1.