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Windows Server 2012 support

Windows Server 2012 introduces new technologies and features that can affect how BackupAssist operates. This resource explains how some of the key changes impact BackupAssist and what you need to know when performing backups and restores in a Windows 2012 environment.

BackupAssist v7.1 and later supports the following features

Resilient Files System (ReFS)

ReFS is a new file system that introduces reliability and compatibility features to Windows Server. BackupAssist supports ReFS formatted drives as a backup source and destination for all backup types. BackupAssist can also restore from ReFS formatted drives.

De-duplication

De-duplication for Windows Server 2012 is a technology that efficiently stores and transfers data using less space. All BackupAssist backups can operate in a de-duplicated environment.

Server Message Block

Server Message Block (SMB) is a network protocol for sharing resources. SMB 3.0 includes changes such as improved performance and VSS support. BackupAssist supports SMB 3.0 as both a backup source and destination. This includes backing up data from a CSV source to an SMB destination.

Failover cluster and CSV

Windows Server 2012 introduces the CSVFS format, which allows a cluster to differentiate CSV storage from other NTFS storage. BackupAssist supports backing up Hyper-V guests located on CSV storage using the CSVFS file system.

Hyper-V

Hyper-V is Microsoft’s implementation of virtual machine (VM) technology. Virtual machines run on a physical host machine and provide dedicated operating system environments.

Storage spaces

Windows Server storage spaces are virtual disks created from pools of real disks. BackupAssist supports Windows Server storage spaces as a data source and destination for all backup types. BackupAssist can also restore data from Windows storage spaces. We support Mirroring and Parity modes.

Windows Server 2012 R2 support

BackupAssist v 7.4.0 officially supports Windows Server 2012 R2 for backups, restores and recoveries.

The technologies listed below are included in BackupAssist's Windows Server 2012 R2 support

Exceptions

The Windows Server 2012 R2 features listed below are currently being evaluated for future inclusion in BackupAssist's support.