CPU spikes or Backup Exec Remote Agent (beremote.exe) high CPU utilization every two hours observed on certain hardware configurations.

Problem

Backup Exec Remote Agent (beremote.exe) high CPU utilization every two hours.

The Backup Exec Remote Agent process (beremote.exe) may show high CPU utilization every 2 hours on a Backup Exec Media server or a Windows Server with the Backup Exec remote agent installed. The high CPU utilization may also occur when the Backup Exec services or remote agent service is restarted.

Additionally after about 48 hours of the Windows Server uptime the server may freeze or pause for up to 3 mins when the Backup Exec services are restarted OR every two hours.

Applications, Virtual Machines, and network access to the server are affected during the High CPU utilization or freeze.

This issue observed under the following conditions

•  Windows 2012 R2, 2016, 2019
•  UEFI BIOS Enabled. UEFI firmware features.
•  Windows OS installed using UEFI GPT partition style. 
•  Dell PowerEdge T and R series Servers

Cause

The CPU spike and server freeze can occur outside of the Backup Exec application being installed or running on the server.

WMI calls/queries to the BCD and multiple Vssadmin List Writer calls outside of Backup Exec causes the CPU spike and server freeze.

Solution

Contact the hardware vendor and apply the latest Server BIOS firmware update. 

The issue appears to be related to a certain hardware configuration and can be reproduced outside of Backup Exec.