Backup Exec 2012 SP4 restore AD to 2012 DC

Hello,

I have taken over a support environment that has Virtual Windows Server 2012 R2 Domain controllers on an ESXi 5.5 platform being backed up by Backup Exec 2012 SP4 with a lapsed support contract.

I am doing DR documentation and have run into a roadblock regarding accurate information as to how to restore Active Directory or System State to these Domain Controllers should a disaster occur. I have reviewed the Software Compatibility list and observed that 2012 R2 is not on it. The servers are being backed up via the ESXi hosts (VMDK backups) and via the agent and I have successful system state backups via the agent. The clients’ presumption is that these are sufficient to restore active directory should a disaster occur however I have read many forum articles and technotes and have seen multiple issues with security and connecting to a DC in AD restore mode in order to restore the system state.

This Blog article https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/blogs/backup-exec-2012-r2-update-news-about-windows-server-2012-r2-support-and-target-ga indicates BE 2012 R2 would have support for Server 2012 R2 however it appears from this article, https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/blogs/backup-exec-beta-program that BE 2012 R2 turned into BE 2014?

Is that the case? Can someone please confirm that Backup Exec 2012 SP4 cannot restore a Windows Server 2012 R2 Domain Controller’s system state? If it can, can someone please advise where the documentation is for this?

Thank you