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Upgrading the SQL Database Engine Software (Microsoft SQL Server or PostgreSQL) Used by Veeam Backup & Replication

KB ID: 4386
Product: Veeam Backup & Replication | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12.1 | 12.2 | 12.3 | 12.3.1 | 12.3.2 | 13 | 13.1
Published: 2022-12-06
Last Modified: 2025-04-02
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Support Scope

This article is provided as a courtesy to give customers a high-level explanation of how to upgrade the underlying SQL database engine used to host the Veeam Backup & Replication configuration database.

Per the Veeam Customer Support Policy, section 10: Support for Veeam Configuration Databases:

Veeam Support does not assist with upgrades or patching the SQL Instance or Operating System hosting the Veeam Configuration Database.

"SQL Instance" in this statement broadly refers to both Microsoft SQL Server and PostgreSQL.

Purpose

This article documents the procedure for upgrading the underlying SQL database engine software (Microsoft SQL Server or PostgreSQL) that Veeam Backup & Replication uses for its configuration database.

Unless indicated elsewhere by Veeam or under the advisement of Veeam Support, upgrading the SQL database engine software in use by Veeam Backup & Replication should be considered optional. Before upgrading, ensure that the version of SQL software being upgraded to is supported by Veeam Backup & Replication.

Solution

Identify the Veeam Database Location

Refer to the Identify Veeam Database Location section within KB1471 for information about locating the Veeam Configuration Database.

System Requirements

Ensure that the version being upgraded to is compatible with Veeam Backup & Replication:

Veeam Backup & Replication System Requirements > Backups Server > Configuration Database

Before You Begin

It is highly advisable to create a Configuration Backup so that if anything goes wrong, you can restore or roll back the Veeam Backup & Replication configuration.

  1. Ensure that there are no jobs or restore tasks occurring.
  2. Manually Create a Configuration Backup.
  3. (Optional) Create a backup of the Configuration Database.

SQL Database Engine Upgrade Procedure Outline

Below are the basic steps for upgrading the SQL software used by Veeam Backup & Replication. Expand and review the appropriate section below for more advanced and database engine-specific instructions.

  1. Stop and Disable all Jobs
  2. Stop all Veeam services on the Veeam Backup Server
  3. Upgrade the SQL database software.
  4. After the upgrade completes, restart the Veeam Backup Server
    Note: The Veeam services are set to "Automatic (Delayed Start)." After the reboot, please allow the services time to start before opening the Veeam Backup & Replication Console.
  5. Remember to enable the Jobs you stopped in Step 1.
Microsoft SQL Express Upgrade Procedure
These instructions assume you are upgrading the Microsoft SQL Server Express instance that came prepacked with Veeam Backup & Replication. If the deployment of Veeam Backup & Replication you are working with was using a different SQL Server Instance, you may need to adapt some of these steps.
  1. Ensure all jobs, policies, and tasks are stopped, and those that are scheduled to run are disabled.
  2. Stop all Veeam-related services on the Veeam Backup Server. 
Get-Service Veeam* | Stop-Service -Force
  1. Download the latest version of Microsoft SQL Server Express that is compatible with Veeam Backup & Replication.
  2. If the SQL Server Express installer prompts you to select either Basic, Customer, or Download Media, choose Custom.
  3. From the SQL Server Installation Center panel, select the Upgrade from a previous version of SQL Server option.
  4. Proceed through the wizard, and when you reach the Select Instance step, select the Instance in use by Veeam Backup & Replication.
  5. On the Feature Rules step, the installer will perform a pre-install system check. If any issues are listed that prevent you from upgrading, resolve them and then click [Re-run]. Depending on the specific issue, you may have to close the SQL Server Express installer (e.g., installing Server Pack 3 for the prepackaged SQL Server 2016 Express Instance).
  6. After the pre-install check completes without any failures, the upgrade process will begin.
  7. After the upgrade completes, restart the Veeam Backup Server.
    Note: The Veeam services are set to "Automatic (Delayed Start)." After the reboot, please allow the services time to start before opening the Veeam Backup & Replication Console.
  8. Remember to enable the Jobs you stopped in Step 1.

 

Note: After upgrading the Microsoft SQL Server instance, remember to update the database's Compatibility level.

Compatibility Level
PostgreSQL Upgrade Procedure
These instructions assume you are upgrading the PostgreSQL install that came prepacked with Veeam Backup & Replication. If the deployment of Veeam Backup & Replication you are working with is using a different PostgreSQL server, you may need to adapt some of these steps.
  1. Ensure all jobs, policies, and tasks are stopped, and those that are scheduled to run are disabled.
  2. Stop all Veeam-related services on the Veeam Backup Server. 
Get-Service Veeam* | Stop-Service -Force
  1. Download the latest version of PostgreSQL that is compatible with Veeam Backup & Replication.
    Note: The most recent version of PostgreSQL may not be supported by Veeam Backup & Replication, it is critical that you check the compatibility list in the Veeam Backup & Replication User Guide for details.
  2. Either run the installer directly or use the unattended option below.
    1. If running the installer directly:
      •  It will offer to install pgAdmin and Stack Builder.
        • pgAdmin is not required but may be helpful if future direct interaction with the database is needed. If not selected, it can always be installed separately at a later time.
        • Stack Builder is not required and should be unselected.
      • The installer will detect the existing installation and existing data directory. Click Next on each page of the wizard to continue.
      • If you have opted to install/upgrade pgAdmin, just before the upgrade begins, a pop-up will appear stating: 
        Please ensure the pgAdmin server is shutdown before proceeding with the upgrade.
        • Open Task Manager and ensure no processes named pgAdmin.exe are running, then click OK to proceed with the upgrade.
    2. For unattended mode, run the installer from a command line with the following options:
--mode unattended --disable-components pgAdmin,stackbuilder
Example: 
C:\temp\postgresql-15.8-1-windows-x64.exe --mode unattended --disable-components pgAdmin,stackbuilder
  1. After the upgrade completes, restart the Veeam Backup Server.
    Note: The Veeam services are set to "Automatic (Delayed Start)." After the reboot, please allow the services time to start before opening the Veeam Backup & Replication Console.
  2. Remember to enable the Jobs you stopped in Step 1.

More Information

If Veeam Backup & Replication Console fails to connect after the system has been rebooted, review KB2127: Console Error - Failed to connect to Veeam Backup & Replication Server.

 

If this KB article did not resolve your issue or you need further assistance with Veeam software, please create a Veeam Support Case.

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