Veeam Backup — Upgrade/Migrating to new server

Background:
This article is written on 24-Jul-23
I was migrating from Veeam B&R version 11 to version 12.

Precautions:
Different database provider
Veeam B&R version 11 is using MS SQL DB while version 12 is using Postgress SQL DB.
They are not compatible and we will not be able to restore configuration database.
For such case, we need to use MS SQL DB for Veeam B&R version 12.
During installation of the newer Veeam B&R version, choose MS SQL as the database.

Use MS SQL Database

Timing
You need to perform migration on non backup time window.
Installing new Veeam B&R version will upgrade components on the infrastructure to be backed up hence the old Veeam version will not work anymore.
Finish your backup first and do the migration before the next backup window.

Prerequisites
Installed MS SQL (maybe Express edition) on new server.
Installed both old version and new version of Veeam Backup and Replication (I am using community edition).
There is a backup of existing (old) Veeam B&R.

Check existing configuration backup

At least 1x successful backup should present

Configure backup repositories on your new Veeam version
This is necessary to restore configuration backup.

Restoration Process
Assuming you have installed your newer version of Veeam B&R, open the configuration backup

Configuration Backup

This time, choose to restore

Restore configuration from backup

Choose to Migrate

Choose your backup repository and browse for the backup file

Choose the latest configuraiton backup

Analyze the config backup file

Analysis completed

If you use PostgreSQL, you will not be able to import config

Specify target database (MS SQL)

Confirm current config will be erased

I just click restore

Existing process will be closed

Need full restore — press yes

Configuration database restore completed (only database, not the config)

Verify credentials

Credentials passwords were not stored in backup, hence you have to supply all required passwords (by pressing the edit button).

Upgrade components as required

Configuration restore completed

Restored backup jobs are disabled, so you need to enable them

Disabling previous version of Veeam B&R

When possible try to run backup on your new version of Veeam B&R.
Once successful, you need to disable your previous version Veeam B&R jobs.
(Anyway, they will fail as components are already upgraded)

Disable previous version backup jobs

Disable configuration backup as well

Once you are confident your new version of Veaam B&R is running well, you can proceed with uninstalling of previous version.

InsyaAllah you are successful in your migration task, aameen.