Veritas Backup Exec Product Licensing Overview

Product Name

Veritas Backup Exec

Product Version

22.x

Product Overview

Backup Exec 22.0 licensing for Backup Exec Simple Edition has been simplified and streamlined into a single license that includes all Backup Exec features and functionality. The new Backup Exec Simple license is allotted by the number of data sources being protected (instance metering) and is available as a subscription license. Both the NetInsights Console in the Licensing Portal (VEMS) and the Backup Exec Console Home Page display licensed instance usage information.

Previous Backup Exec licensing models: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Custom and V-Ray editions are available for purchase and renewal but do not include the most recent functionality such as support for Microsoft 365. Bronze, Silver and Gold Editions are available as perpetual or 12-month subscription licenses. Custom Edition and V-Ray are available only as perpetual licenses but do not provide support for deduplication to cloud storage. Customers purchasing or renewing Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Custom editions, and V-Ray licenses who wish to backup Microsoft 365 user data must purchase a Backup Exec Simple Core Pack license and deploy a separate Backup Exec server.

NOTE: Backup Exec Simple licensing cannot be mixed with legacy Backup Exec licensing on the same server.

Product Downloads

Veritas Download Center

Please see https://www.veritas.com/support/en_US/article.100046183.html for more information on the new Veritas Download Center.

The Veritas Download Center will still be accessible by following the existing steps for accessing downloads in VEMS:

Software downloads can be accessed from the Dashboard, Entitlements, and Downloads tabs by clicking the  download button. Which one to use is a matter of preference. In each tab, entitlements can be filtered by product or located by Entitlement ID.

Trialware

Please check www.veritas.com for trialware availability

Product Activation

Veritas Backup Exec uses either .slf file activation or in-product licensing.

.slf file activation is done by uploading .slf files obtained from VEMS into the Backup Exec console.

In-product licensing is done by entering the appropriate Veritas Backup Exec Entitlement IDs into the product console.  This option requires an active internet connection on the server.

Perpetual Licensing versus Subscription

• Perpetual Licensing
• • Initial cost for purchase a license plus annual maintenance renewal cost.
  • If maintenance is not renewed, the software will continue to work, but technical support and version upgrades are not available.
• Subscription
• • Right so use the product, install updates, and receive technical support are bundled into a yearly subscription.
  • Customers do not own the license, but may use Veritas Backup Exec for the duration of the subscription.
  • If subscription is not renewed, customers lose the right to technical support, updates, and backups, but restores are allowed.

Determining the required quantity of licenses

Veritas Backup Exec is licensed per front-end Terabyte or Per Instance.  If the licensed capacity is exceeded by 15% or more for 30 consecutive days, backups will no longer run, but restores will be allowed.

Subscriptions will provide alerts 60, 30, and 5 days before expiration.  Upon subscription expiration, backups will no longer run, but restores will be allowed.

Generating Licenses

NOTE: This is optional for Veritas Backup Exec. Customers do not need to generate license files for this product unless opting not to use in-product licensing. In rare instances, customers may need to generate .slf files in order to resolve licensing issues.

Licenses can be generated in the Dashboard and Entitlements sections of VEMS by clicking the  key generation button. Entitlements can be sorted by product, account name, etc. They can also be located by Entitlement ID, contract number, and other search criteria. Which one to use is a matter of preference. Customers will be asked to select a version and quantity when generating keys and can add notes to the key generated.

The License Keys tab displays license keys and files that have already been generated. Users may also save, print, and email generated licenses from this tab under Actions:

How to Apply Activation

Licensing instructions for new installations and additional licenses are available in Administrator's Guides at https://www.veritas.com/support:

1. Navigate to https://www.veritas.com/support
2. Click Documentation
3. Click Backup Exec
4. Choose the applicable version
5. Open the Administrator's Guide. NOTE: Click the  Read as PDF icon to more easily locate the licensing instructions

"Deduplication Option is no longer licensed in this upgrade" error message

This error message appears when upgrading from an earlier edition where Deduplication Option has been activated, but not configured.

Instructions on resolving this issue are available at the following technote:  https://www.veritas.com/support/en_US/article.100013050

Additional Licensing Resources (including information on replacing license files)

https://www.veritas.com/support/en_US/article.100032497

How to locate the number of licenses installed in the product and expiration dates

1. Click the Backup Exec button
2. Select Installation and Licensing
3. Click License Information

Upgrades

As of November 5, 2017, Veritas Backup Exec was a brand new offering available to new customers as a subscription.  It was not an upgrade from Veritas Backup Exec 16. 

As of April 2, 2018, Existing Veritas Backup Exec 16 customers with active maintenance are elibible to upgrade.  Products upgrade and renew as-is.  Customers wishing to cross-grade to Bronze, Silver, or Gold may contact their preferred Veritas Partner or Sales rep for additional information. 

As of August 13, 2018, Existing Veritas Backup Exec 20.1 customers with active maintenance are eligible to upgrade to version 20.2. Version 20.2 uses existing 20.1 licenses.

As of April 4, 2020, Existing Veritas Backup Exec 20.x customers with active maintenance are eligible to upgrade to version 21. 

As of June 6, 2022, Existing Veritas Backup Exec 21.x customers with active maintenance are eligible to upgrade to version 22. NOTE: Backup Exec Simple Edition is a new offering and not an upgrade from Backup Exec 21.