Do I need GRT enabled to perform differential backup of Hyper-V Virtual Machine ?

[oskaremil]

I wasn't able to find a clear answer anywhere and we are currently running Backup Exec 2010 so I cannot test this for myself.

I am not interrested in GRT backups, my backups are full images without the possibility to restore single items from the image. 
(Sure, it could be great but the trade-off in longer backup jobs is a no-go)

That brings me to the questions,
a) with GRT disabled, will Backup Exec 2012 (or newer versions) be able to perform differential backup of a Hyper-V Virtual Machine image ? 
b) if yes, how will it affect backup job length ?

[pkh]

a) Unlike BE 2010, BE 2012 is able to perform differential backups of Hyper-V VM's

[Sagar_Walambe]

Here is the technote for What's new in Backup Exec 2012 Agent for Microsoft Hyper-V agent option.

http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH179363

Hope this will help!

[oskaremil]

Thank you, but neither really answered my question ; is GRT required to perform a differential backup for HyperV VMs?

[Sush--- · Accepted solution]

a) with GRT disabled, will Backup Exec 2012 (or newer versions) be able to perform differential backup of a Hyper-V Virtual Machine image ? 

--> Yes. Even when GRT option is disabled you should be able to take Differential backups of Hyper-V Virtual Machines. Its not necessary that GRT needs to be enabled.

b) if yes, how will it affect backup job length ?

--> This will surely reduce the time taken for backups as the time taken to collect the Meta-Data for GRT backups will now not be required. It may not affect in high number but overall it will surely reduce the time.

Thanks,

-Sush...

[AshwinApte]

No, GRT is not required for performing differential backups of Hyper-V.