Dear Community,

My recommendations: before upgrading the VBR Application, first upgrade the connected appliance.

Upgrading the Veeam Backup for Google Cloud (VBGC) appliance from version 5 to version 6 is a significant process that involves an automated sequence of steps. This upgrade not only updates the VBGC software but also transitions the underlying operating system and database to newer versions. In this article, I share my firsthand experience with the upgrade, detailing each step and highlighting important considerations to ensure a smooth transition.

Prerequisites before initiating the upgrade:

Green Highlighted is very Important Part and all upgrade depend on it.

• Verify Compatibility: Ensure that your current VBGC version is 3.0 or later.
• Backup Configurations: Although the upgrade process creates a snapshot, it's advisable to manually back up your configurations.
• Check Permissions: Confirm that the service account used has the necessary permissions, including compute.instances.setName.
• Internet Access: Ensure that the appliance has internet access during the upgrade, especially when deploying the temporary VM instance.

Upgrade Process: Automated Steps:

The upgrade from version 5 to version 6 is largely automated. Here's the sequence of steps that VBGC performs during the upgrade:

1. Creating VM Instance Snapshot: A snapshot of the existing appliance is created to allow rollback in case of failures.
2. Stopping Running Backup and Restore Sessions: All active sessions are halted to prepare for the upgrade.
3. Migrating the OS: The operating system is upgraded from Ubuntu 20.04 LTS to Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.
4. Ready for Migration: The system prepares the environment for migration.
5. Pending Readiness for Migration: The system waits until all conditions are met for migration.
6. Upgrading PostgreSQL: The database is upgraded to PostgreSQL 16.
7. Copying Files: Necessary files and configurations are copied to the new environment.
8. Deploying a Temporary VM Instance: A temporary VM is deployed to facilitate the upgrade. Ensure that this instance has internet access during this phase.

Important Considerations:

• Internet Access: During the deployment of the temporary VM instance, ensure that the instance has internet access. Lack of connectivity can cause the upgrade to fail.
• Permissions: The compute.instances.setName permission is required for the upgrade process. Ensure that your service account has this permission.
• Monitoring the Process: Keep an eye on the upgrade process through the Veeam Backup & Replication console to address any issues promptly.

Feel free to share your experiences or ask questions in the comments below. Your insights can help others in the Veeam Community navigate their upgrade processes more effectively.