Simple, Secure and Unified

Veritas Backup Exec™

Licensing Guide
Backup Exec Version 24.0

September 2024
This guide supersedes previous licensing guides
 Backup Exec 24.0 Licensing Guide
Table of Contents

Contents
Introduction........................................................................................................................................................................... 3

EULA & PUR .................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Backup Exec Licensing and Packaging Overview ............................................................................................................... 3

Backup Exec Simple Licensing ............................................................................................................................................ 3

Features and Functionality ............................................................................................................................................... 3

Instance Metering ............................................................................................................................................................. 3

Capacity Metering ............................................................................................................................................................ 4

Simple Licenses: Core Pack and Add On ........................................................................................................................ 4

Backup Exec Simple Subscription Licensing ................................................................................................................... 5

Restore Only Subscription ............................................................................................................................................... 5

Backup Exec Simple Example Licensing Scenarios ............................................................................................................ 6

Backup Exec Simple Licensing FAQ ................................................................................................................................... 9

BE Simple Capacity Licensing Example Scenarios ........................................................................................................... 10

Verified Support ................................................................................................................................................................. 11

Version Upgrade Entitlements and Upgrade Mechanisms ................................................................................................ 11

Useful Links ........................................................................................................................................................................ 11

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 Backup Exec 24.0 Licensing Guide

Introduction Previous Backup Exec licensing models: Bronze, Silver,

The Veritas Backup Exec 24.0 Licensing Guide is a Gold, Custom and V-Ray editions are available for

reference document designed for use by Veritas renewal only and do not include the most recent

partners and customers. The Licensing Guide describes functionality such as support for Microsoft 365. Backup

licensing concepts and options available for Backup Exec Simple licenses cannot be mixed with or installed

Exec 24.0. This information is intended to help on Backup Exec servers running Bronze, Silver, Gold,

customers determine the most appropriate and Custom editions, or V-Ray licenses. Customers with

cost-effective Backup Exec license for their specific older licenses who wish to protect Microsoft 365 user

environment. data must purchase a Backup Exec Simple Core Pack

and deploy a separate Backup Exec server running
EULA & PUR independently from servers running older licenses.
Please note that this Licensing Guide is to be used for Perpetual licenses are still available in Japan.
reference purposes only. For details on the specific
license rights provided under a particular Backup Exec Backup Exec Simple Licensing
product, refer to the applicable Backup Exec End User
Features and Functionality
License Agreement (EULA) and Backup Exec Product
Backup Exec Simple licensing includes all the features
Usage Rights (PUR), which are available on the
and functionality available in the product:
company’s website on the Product License Agreement
page, under the Current Agreements tab, and under the  Backup Exec Server
Backup Exec section.
 Backup physical, virtual and cloud-hosted
Windows and Linux servers
 Backup Microsoft 365 user data

 Protection and granular recovery of

applications and databases
 Centralized management of multiple Backup
Exec Servers
 Deduplication to disk and cloud storage
Backup Exec Licensing and Packaging
 Unlimited physical or virtual tape
Overview drives/libraries
Backup Exec 24.0 licensing has been simplified and  NDMP and SAN shared storage
streamlined into a single license that includes all Backup
Instance Metering
Exec features and functionality. Backup Exec Simple
Instance Metering allows you to purchase licenses
licenses are available as a subscription service that can
based on the number of data sources being protected.
be allotted by the number of data sources being
An instance is defined as a protected Windows, Linux,
protected (instance metering) or by the capacity of front-
Unix or NAS instance, such as a virtual machine, a cloud
end data (FETB) being protected (capacity metering).
computing instance, a physical system in the datacenter
Both the NetInsights Console in the Licensing Portal and
or 10 Microsoft 365 users. Each data source can have
the Backup Exec Console Home Page display licensed
multiple backups, for example the OS can be protected
usage information.
with a Simplified Disaster Recovery (SDR) enabled
backup and have separate backups for an application or

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 Backup Exec 24.0 Licensing Guide
database. Each unique host name is calculated as a TB available, and 12 TB allocated among 4 servers. To
single instance regardless of how many backups protect add capacity to any of these servers, install an Add On
the data residing on that resource. An Instance license is license and allocate the additional capacity. In this
required to protect data, volumes and system state example if 2 more TB were purchased, there would be
(anything except Virtual Machines) on each Microsoft 14 TB available, and 12 TB allocated. Licensed capacity
Windows Server with Hyper-V Role enabled and each calculations are enforced based on Allocated capacity.
VMware vCenter Virtual Appliance or Windows host. Servers with allocated licensing do not have to be
VMware ESXi host and Microsoft Hyper-V Server centrally managed.
(without Windows) do not require an instance license.
When licensed capacity is exceeded, Backup Exec will
Each node in a Windows cluster that has volumes and
notify users that there are 30-days remaining to license
system state being protected is considered as a
more capacity. When the countdown expires, backup
separate Instance. Each participant in an Exchange
jobs will fail. Up to three “test” backups can be removed
DAG or SQL AG and/or cluster that actively or passively
from the capacity usage calculation every 30 days.
hosts a database is considered an instance. Each
Backups removed from the capacity usage calculation
instance license can be used to protect up to ten
can still be restored.
Microsoft 365 user’s data in place of or as a substitute
BE Simple capacity licenses cannot be installed with any
for a compute instance (virtual machine or a physical
other license type including BE Simple instance.
host).
Separate Backup Exec servers can have separate
When the number of licensed instances is exceeded,
licensing, for example one server can have instance
Backup Exec will notify users that there are 30-days
licenses and another server can have capacity licenses.
remaining to license more instances. If the countdown
expires, backup jobs will fail for instances not entitled. Simple Licenses: Core Pack and Add On
During the 30-day grace period, the list of entitled Simple licenses are available as either a Core Pack or
instances/M365 users can be edited an unlimited an Add On license and can use instance metering or
number of times. If the 30-day grace period expires, the capacity metering.
list of entitled instances/M365 users can be edited only A Core Pack with instance metering includes the Backup
three times.
Exec Server, the ability to protect five instances (where
BE Simple instance licenses cannot be installed with any each instance is a single compute instance or ten
other license type including BE Simple capacity. Microsoft 365 users) and protection for an additional ten
Microsoft 365 users. The five instances in a Core Pack
Capacity Metering
can be used in any combination for protection of up to
Capacity metering allows you to purchase licenses
five compute instances and up to ten Microsoft 365
based on the total number of front-end terabytes (FETB)
users, or protection of up to 60 Microsoft 365 users, or a
to be protected and to allocate different capacity
combination in between such as 3 compute instances
licensing to different Backup Exec servers, including
and 30 Microsoft 365 users.
those on different sites.
A Core Pack with capacity metering includes the Backup
For example, you can purchase a license for 12 FETB
Exec server, the ability to protect 5 FETB of data
and distribute or allocate across multiple servers, such
including Microsoft 365 user data.
as 4 TB to Server A and 3 TB each to Servers B and C
and 2 TB to Server D. In this example there would be 12

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 Backup Exec 24.0 Licensing Guide
Each individual physical site, cloud or air-gapped environment by going to www.veritas.com/resources/be-
environment being protected requires a Core Pack simple-license-calculator and entering the number of
license. Only one Core Pack can be installed per Backup data sources. Simply provide the number of physical
Exec Server. Instances or capacity can be split servers, virtual machines, and Microsoft 365 users to be
(allocated) across multiple Backup Exec Servers. If there protected, and the Backup Exec Simple License
are multiple Backup Exec servers on a single site with calculator will display the number of instance licenses
instances or capacity split (allocated) and each server is required.
protecting its own Backup Exec data, then the Backup
Backup Exec Simple Subscription Licensing
Exec servers are not counted as instances or included in
A subscription license is term-based and allows you to
capacity calculations. If a Backup Exec server is being
use Backup Exec during a specified period of time (12,
backed up remotely by another Backup Exec server, the
24, 36, 48 or 60 months). Software maintenance and
product will count the remote Backup Exec server as an
technical support are included in the price of the
instance or the FETB will contribute to the capacity
subscription. During the term of the subscription, you
licensing calculation. Veritas recommends running
have the right to use the product, install product updates
periodic Simplified Disaster Recovery (SDR) enabled
and upgrades, and receive technical support. You do not
backups of the Backup Exec server and regularly
own the license but have all the entitlements of
backing up the Backup Exec server database and
ownership as long as you have an active subscription. At
catalogs for disaster and ransomware recovery
the end of the term, you can renew the subscription to
purposes.
continue using the product.
Add On licenses with instance metering provide
Backup Exec subscriptions have a lower upfront cost
protection for a single compute instance or ten Microsoft
than perpetual licenses, are easy to update, upgrade
365 users. Add On licenses with capacity metering
and scale, and provide ongoing access to technical
provide protection for 1 FETB of data being protected
support.
including Microsoft 365 data. Each Core Pack license
can have as many Add On licenses as needed to protect Backup Exec alerts users that their subscription is about
all data sources at that site and in Microsoft 365. For to expire 90 days prior to expiration. At 60 days prior to
examples, scenarios, and instance calculation details, expiration an alert is sent weekly. At 30 days prior to
see Backup Exec Simple Example Licensing Scenarios. expiration an alert is sent daily. If the subscription is
renewed prior to expiration, backups continue to run
A Microsoft 365 User is defined as:
without interruption. If the subscription is not renewed,
 Exchange: A User is either an active individual with the software can no longer be used.
an assigned Microsoft 365 Backup license or an
active shared mailbox with an assigned Office 365 Restore Only Subscription
license.
Backup Exec users whose subscription has expired
 OneDrive: User with an active M365 license
have the option to purchase a restore only subscription
assigned whose OneDrive data is being backed up.
that allows you to restore data that was protected while
 SharePoint/Groups & Teams: an active user with an
the Backup Exec subscription was still active. Technical
assigned Office 365 license and who is a member of
a site or group. Guests are not counted. support is included in the price of the subscription.

You can calculate the number of Backup Exec simple Restore Only licenses allow users to restore up to 10
FETB of data. Additional Restore Only licenses can be
instance licenses that are required to protect your
installed to increase the total FETB that can be restored.

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 Backup Exec 24.0 Licensing Guide
Backup Exec Simple Example Licensing Scenarios
Go to www.veritas.com/resources/be-simple-license-calculator and enter the number of data sources you wish to protect
to receive a custom calculation of the number of Backup Exec Simple instance licenses that are required to protect your
environment.

Example A:

Example Customer environment and needs Customer purchase option – Backup Exec
Simple Example

Protection of 18 physical, virtual or cloud data 1 x Backup Exec Simple Core Pack
A1
sources (instances) (18 – 5 = 13) 13 x Backup Exec Simple Add On
Includes up to 10 Microsoft 365 users
110 Microsoft 365 users only (110 - 60 = 50 ÷ 10 1 x Backup Exec Simple Core Pack
A2
= 5) 5 x Backup Exec Simple Add On
2 Backup Exec Servers at single site 1 x Backup Exec Simple Core Pack where
A3
Protecting 21 physical, virtual or cloud data instances are split between Backup Exec servers
sources (instances) (21 – 5 = 16) 35 x Backup Exec Simple Add On (16 + 19 = 35)
Protecting Microsoft 365 user data for 200 users
(200 – 10 = 190 ÷ 10 =19)
3 sites, each with a Backup Exec Server 3 Backup Exec Simple Core Packs
A4
Backing up 11 physical, virtual or cloud data 11 Backup Exec Simple Add On
sources (instances) on Site A (11 – 5 = 6) 6 Backup Exec Simple Add On for Site A
Backing up 7 physical, virtual or cloud data 2 Backup Exec Simple Add On for Site B
sources (instances) on Site B (7 – 5 = 2)
3 Backup Exec Simple Add On for Site C
Backing up 8 physical, virtual or cloud data
sources (instances) on Site C (8 – 5 = 3) Includes 30 Microsoft 365 User protection
(Includes 10 per site)
Total data sources 26 (26 – 15 = 11)

Example B: Host based VM backup (VMware and Hyper-V)

Example Customer environment and needs Customer purchase option – Backup Exec
Simple Example

 3 Backup Exec Servers on same site  1 x Backup Exec Simple Core Pack
B1
 Hyper-V cluster 4 nodes hosting 30 VM(s), (instances split across Backup Exec servers)
protection for cluster volumes, system state  132 x Backup Exec Simple Add On
(5 – 4 = 1)
Includes:
 VMware cluster 3 ESX servers hosting 50
VM(s) o 30 x Backup Exec Simple Add On
for Hyper-V guest VMs
 4 File Servers protecting volumes, system
o 50 x Backup Exec Simple Add On
state (4 – 1 = 3)
for VMware guest VMs
 Protecting Microsoft 365 user data for 500
o 3 x Backup Exec Simple Add On
users (500 – 10 = 490 ÷ 10 =49)
for File servers
o 49 x Backup Exec Simple Add On
for Microsoft 365 users

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 Backup Exec 24.0 Licensing Guide
Example C: Distributed applications backup (SharePoint)

Example Customer environment and needs Customer purchase option – Backup Exec
Simple Example

C1  1 Backup Exec Server  1 x Backup Exec Simple Core Pack

 SharePoint Farm: 2 Front End server and 1 (3 instances used for SharePoint Farm)
SQL server protecting entire SharePoint Farm
 Active directory server protecting volumes,
System state
 File Server protecting volumes, system state

C2  1 Backup Exec Server  1 x Backup Exec Simple Core Pack

 SharePoint Farm: 2 Front End server and 1 (3 instances used for SharePoint Farm)
SQL server protecting entire SharePoint Farm
 9 x Backup Exec Simple Add On
 Active directory server protecting volumes,
System state for Microsoft 365 users

 File Server protecting volumes, system state

 Protecting Microsoft 365 user data for 95 users
(95 – 10 = 85 ÷ 10 = 8.5)

Example D: Backup of applications in a clustering solution

Example Customer environment and needs Customer purchase option – Instance Example

 3 Backup Exec servers on same site  1 x Backup Exec Simple Core Pack
D1
 3 Exchange DAG - 3 nodes; protecting (instances split across Backup Exec servers)
databases, volumes, and system state  15 x Backup Exec Simple Add On
 4 SQL AG – 4 nodes, protecting databases, (20 - 5 = 15)
volumes, and system state
 2 Oracle RAC – 2 nodes each protecting
databases
 3 Standalone Windows File Server protecting
volumes, system state
 2 Clustered File Server – 2 nodes each;
protecting volumes and system state (2 x 2 = 4)
 3 Active Directory server protecting volumes
and system state
 1 NAS server protecting Share1, Share 2 etc.

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 Backup Exec 24.0 Licensing Guide
Example E: Cloud File shares backup

Example Customer environment and needs Customer purchase option – Instance Example

 1 Backup Exec Server  1 x Backup Exec Simple Core Pack

E1
 Azure File Share protecting 2 shares with two  1 x Backup Exec Simple Add On
different storage accounts
 1 Active directory server protecting volumes,
System state
 AWS FSx protecting 3 shares
 1 Backup Exec Server  1 x Backup Exec Simple Core Pack
E2
 Azure File Share protecting 2 shares with two  1 x Backup Exec Simple Add On for servers
different storage accounts  20 x Backup Exec Simple Add On
 1 Active directory server protecting volumes, for Microsoft 365 users
System state  21 = Total required Simple Add On
 AWS FSx protecting 3 shares
 Protecting Microsoft 365 user data for 210
users (210 – 10 = 200 ÷ 10 = 20)

Example F: Multiple Sites

Example Customer environment and needs Customer purchase option – Instance Example

 3 Backup Exec Servers, 2 in different physical  3 x Backup Exec Simple Core Pack
F1
locations and 1 in Azure cloud
Includes:
o 5 instances per site
o 10 M365 users per site

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 Backup Exec 24.0 Licensing Guide
Can I co-term existing subscriptions to a renewing
Backup Exec Simple Licensing FAQ
subscription?
What is instance licensing?
Yes. We will help customers co-term existing
A license that protects a physical, virtual or cloud
subscriptions to a renewing subscription. Please contact
workload or ten Microsoft 365 users’ data. Instance
your Sales representative to process a subscription co-
licenses are available as a Core Pack (5 instances) and
terming. Co-term allows customers to align the
Add On (single instance)
expiration dates of multiple subscription license
How many Instances do I purchase? purchases.

You need to purchase licenses for the number of data Can I sign up for auto-renewal for my subscription?
sources that you will back up within the next year. If you
No. Auto-renewal is not currently available. Please
need to purchase additional Backup Exec Simple
contact your Sales representative to process a
licenses at another time, the start/stop dates of the two
subscription renewal.
subscriptions can be synchronized so that they have the
same renewal date (co-termed). I am an existing customer with FETB licenses and
would like to add Backup Exec Simple licenses, is
I am an existing customer with FETB licensing and
that allowed?
would like to move to Backup Exec Simple licensing,
is that allowed? Backup Exec Simple and FETB licenses cannot be
combined on the same Backup Exec server. You can
No. You need to renew on FETB Licensing. Customers
renew your FETB licenses, purchase Backup Exec
with older licenses who wish to protect Microsoft 365
Simple licenses and deploy a new server to run the
user data must purchase a Backup Exec Simple Core
Backup Exec Simple licenses and protect any resources
Pack and deploy a separate Backup Exec server running
that exceed the licensed FETB capacity and Microsoft
independently from servers running older licenses.
365 user data.
Can I pay for Backup Exec monthly?
I am an existing customer in Custom Edition
No. Backup Exec Simple is available as a term-based licensing. Can I upgrade to Backup Exec Simple
subscription license for 12, 24, 36, 48 or 60 months, paid licensing instead of renewing my Custom Edition
in advance. licensing?

What happens if I stop paying for the term There is no cross grade from Custom edition to Backup
subscription at the end of the term? Will I be able to Exec Simple at this time. You can renew your existing
continue using the product? Custom edition licenses and must purchase new Backup

No. If the term subscription is not renewed at the end of Exec Simple licenses to protect Microsoft 365 user data

the term, the product will no longer be able to perform or take advantage of deduplication to cloud storage.

backup or restore jobs. Backup Exec Simple and Custom license keys require
separate Backup Exec servers.

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 Backup Exec 24.0 Licensing Guide
BE Simple Capacity Licensing Example Scenarios
Example A:

Example Customer environment and needs Customer purchase option – FETB Example

 3 TBs of data (this includes data growth)  1 Backup Exec Simple Capacity Core Pack
A1
 Protecting Microsoft 365 user data for 12
users totaling 1 TB of data
 6 TBs of data (this includes data growth)  1 Backup Exec Simple Capacity Core Pack
A2
 Protecting Microsoft 365 user data for 25  4 Backup Exec Simple Capacity Add Ons
users totaling 3 TB of data

Example B:

Example Customer environment and needs Customer purchase option – FETB Example

 1 x Backup Exec Simple Capacity Core Pack

B1 51 TB of data (this includes data growth)
 46 x Backup Exec Simple Capacity Add On
hosted on:

 6 Windows physical machines running

SQL and SharePoint
 3 ESXi hosts, dual processors, 36 virtual
machines
 Microsoft 365 for 100 users
 2 x Backup Exec Simple Capacity Core Pack
B2 51 TB of data (this includes data growth)
 41 x Backup Exec Simple Capacity Add On
hosted on:

 Site 1: 6 Windows physical machines

running SQL and SharePoint
 Site 2: 3 ESXi hosts, dual processors, 36
virtual machines
 Microsoft 365 for 100 users

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 Backup Exec 24.0 Licensing Guide
Verified Support
Verified Support is a 24x7 support offering that allows customers to contact a Technical Support Engineer (TSE) who is a
citizen of the United States of America (U.S.) and is located in the U.S. Please note that Verified Support is only available
in the United States. For more information see the Veritas Verified Support at
www.veritas.com/content/support/en_US/contact-us/veritas-verified-support.

Version Upgrade Entitlements and Upgrade Mechanisms

Version entitlements and upgrade mechanisms:

Backup Exec Version Backup Exec 24.0 Upgrade

Any version of Backup  Upgrade to Backup Exec 24.0 at no charge through the VEMS licensing portal on
Exec with active vems.community.veritas.com/vems/login.
subscription If renewing  Backup Exec 23.x and previous version license keys will not work in Backup Exec
legacy licensing, active 24.0
basic maintenance or  Customers running Backup Exec 22.0, or a later version can upgrade directly to
essential support Backup Exec 24.0. Step upgrades are not recommended. Step upgrades are the
process of upgrading Backup Exec while skipping versions, for example Backup
Exec 21.x is skipped.

Useful Links
Upgrading Backup Exec - Guidelines, best practices, and available support
www.veritas.com/content/support/en_US/article.100044375
vox.veritas.com/t5/Backup-Exec/Useful-links-for-Upgrading-Backup-Exec/td-p/884680
Professional services to help you install, upgrade, or migrate Backup Exec
www.veritas.com/services/consulting-services/deployment-services
Backup Exec Administration self-paced course with a lab environment
www.veritas.com/services/education-services/training-courses/backup-exec-21-admin
Evaluate Backup Exec FREE for 60 days
www.veritas.com/form/trialware/backup-exec
Manage and obtain license keys and licensing support
www.veritas.com/support
Hardware and software compatibility guide links, and administration guide links to current and previous versions of
Backup Exec
www.veritas.com/content/support/article.100040087
Veritas End of Life Policy
www.veritas.com/content/dam/support/terms/Veritas%20EOL%20Policy.pdf
End of Support Life dates for previous versions of Backup Exec
sort.veritas.com/eosl

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 Backup Exec 24.0 Licensing Guide

About Veritas

Veritas Technologies is a global leader in data protection and availability. Over 80,000 customers— including 87 percent
of the Fortune Global 500—rely on us to abstract IT complexity and simplify data management. The Veritas Enterprise
Data Services Platform automates the protection and orchestrates the recovery of data everywhere it lives, ensures 24/7
availability of business-critical applications, and provides enterprises with the insights they need to comply with evolving
data regulations. With a reputation for reliability at scale and a deployment model to fit any need, Veritas Enterprise Data
Services Platform supports more than 800 different data sources, over 100 different operating systems, more than 1,400
storage targets, and more than 60 different cloud platforms. Learn more at www.veritas.com. Follow us on Twitter at
@veritastechllc.

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95054 and contact numbers,
please visit our website.
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