https://login.veeam.com/en/oauth?client_id=nXojRrypJ8&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.veeam.com%2Fservices%2Fauthentication%2Fredirect_url&response_type=code&scope=profile&state=eyJmaW5hbFJlZGlyZWN0TG9jYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy52ZWVhbS5jb20va2IxODc4IiwiaGFzaCI6Ijg5YzFlOTQzLWUyNjgtNDIyOS1hOTEyLWU1NzZkOTliZDMzYiJ9
Exchange logs not being truncated
Challenge
This KB provides information on items to check when logs are not being truncated, even when Veeam Backup & Replication is stating that everything is successful.
Cause
There are various causes for failure of truncation operations, both in the Veeam Backup & Replication application, and within the Exchange Windows guest itself.
Solution
Make sure that the job is set to use Application-Aware Image Processing and proper credentials are being used:
You will then want to check to make sure that transaction logs are set to be truncated on successful backup:
If this is set correctly, make sure that the command is being sent to the Exchange server. You can verify this by analyzing the VeeamVSSSupport.log (VeeamGuestHelper.log in VBR v8+) file that can be found in the following location:
If the command is being sent, you should see the following in the log file:
INFO Processing external FinishSnapshot command.
Notifying writers about the 'BACKUP FINISH' event.
Truncate logs: [true].
Processing external FinishSnapshotEX command, job id ‘{job ID}’, is logs truncation enabled yes.. ok.
If this is being sent, we will want to look at Windows event logs for any possible errors as well as the VSS writers.
Run the following in an elevated CMD prompt and verify the Exchange writer is present:
If the writer is not being listed or is in a failed state, the Exchange server should be rebooted, then it should be verified that the writer returns and shows as Stable/No Error. Once this has been done, retry the Veeam job and verify log truncation.
Within the event logs, look for any Exchange based errors. If the Exchange configuration is utilizing Distributed Availability Groups (DAG), the replication process between the different nodes can prevent log truncation if there are any errors. These will show with the event source MSExchangeRepl. If there are errors here, generally these are not affected by Veeam Backup & Replication processes and should be addressed in the Exchange and/or Windows configuration. To isolate whether the issue is caused within Veeam Backup & Replication processes or within VSS itself, enabling the Windows Backup role on the server and running a native Windows Backup (system state) will generally isolate the issue to the operating system.
You will then want to check to make sure that transaction logs are set to be truncated on successful backup:
If this is set correctly, make sure that the command is being sent to the Exchange server. You can verify this by analyzing the VeeamVSSSupport.log (VeeamGuestHelper.log in VBR v8+) file that can be found in the following location:
- Windows 7/8 Generations: C:\ProgramData\Veeam\Backup
- Windows XP/2k3: %allusersprofile%\Application Data\Veeam\Backup
If the command is being sent, you should see the following in the log file:
INFO Processing external FinishSnapshot command.
Notifying writers about the 'BACKUP FINISH' event.
Truncate logs: [true].
Processing external FinishSnapshotEX command, job id ‘{job ID}’, is logs truncation enabled yes.. ok.
If this is being sent, we will want to look at Windows event logs for any possible errors as well as the VSS writers.
Run the following in an elevated CMD prompt and verify the Exchange writer is present:
vssadmin list writers
If the writer is not being listed or is in a failed state, the Exchange server should be rebooted, then it should be verified that the writer returns and shows as Stable/No Error. Once this has been done, retry the Veeam job and verify log truncation.
Within the event logs, look for any Exchange based errors. If the Exchange configuration is utilizing Distributed Availability Groups (DAG), the replication process between the different nodes can prevent log truncation if there are any errors. These will show with the event source MSExchangeRepl. If there are errors here, generally these are not affected by Veeam Backup & Replication processes and should be addressed in the Exchange and/or Windows configuration. To isolate whether the issue is caused within Veeam Backup & Replication processes or within VSS itself, enabling the Windows Backup role on the server and running a native Windows Backup (system state) will generally isolate the issue to the operating system.
More information
To manually test shadow creation and truncation please review KB1980: Using the Diskshadow Utility to manually test VSS operations.
Information on Application-Aware Processing and Log Truncation:
MSExchangeRepl errors:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh994877(v=exchg.141).aspx
Information on Application-Aware Processing and Log Truncation:
vSphere:
Application-Aware Processing
Log Truncation
Hyper-V:
Application-Aware Processing
Log Truncation
Application-Aware Processing
Log Truncation
Hyper-V:
Application-Aware Processing
Log Truncation
MSExchangeRepl errors:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh994877(v=exchg.141).aspx
KB ID:
1878
Product:
Veeam Backup & Replication
Version:
6.x, 7.x, 8.x
Published:
2014-04-21
Last Modified:
2020-08-13
Couldn't find what you were looking for?
Below you can submit an idea for a new knowledge base article.
Report a typo on this page:
Please select a spelling error or a typo on this page with your mouse and press CTRL + Enter to report this mistake to us. Thank you!
Please select a spelling error or a typo on this page with your mouse and press CTRL + Enter to report this mistake to us. Thank you!
Spelling error in text
Knowledge base content request
How can we assist you today?
How can we assist you today?
Happy Holidays!
Chat is offline now. Please fill out the form and we will call you back.
Technical
General and Licensing
Renewal
Sales
Partnership
Do you have an issue or need post-sales technical assistance?
*if you need help choosing the right product, please select "Sales" chat
Do you need guidance on the website, upgrade hints or help with your licenses/accounts?
Questions regarding your Veeam contract renewal? Contact us and learn how you can maximize your savings
Do you need additional license, pricing details, product information or have any other sales-related question?
Would you like to become our partner or do you need assistance as our existing partner?
Start chat
We apologize, but this chat is not available at the moment
Start chat
We apologize, but this chat is not available at the moment
Start chat
We apologize, but this chat is not available at the moment
Start chat
We apologize, but this chat is not available at the moment
Privacy Notice. By submitting, you agree that your personal data will be managed by Veeam in accordance with the Privacy Policy.
Back
Thank you for your request!
Veeam representative will get back to you shortly.
Stay up to date with Veeam product updates, latest news, and recent content.
By subscribing, you agree to receive communications about Veeam products, services and events. Your personal data will be managed by Veeam in accordance with the Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.