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Introduction

Veeam Backup & Replication provides reliable backup solutions for virtual, physical, and cloud environments. However, when using the Veeam Linux agent, some users may encounter issues related to accessing virtual devices during backup operations. This is often indicated by error messages such as No such device or Failed to open file [/dev/veeamimageX]. These errors typically occur when the Veeam service cannot interact with the required virtual device files due to improper initialization or unavailability of the devices.

This guide outlines the steps necessary to identify and resolve these virtual device access errors to ensure smooth and successful backup operations.

Issue

During Veeam backups using the Linux agent, some users may encounter errors related to the inability to access virtual devices. The errors typically manifest as follows:

No such device POSIX: Failed to open file [/dev/veeamimageX]
Failed to open emulated disk
Failed to open disk for read
Failed to upload disk
Agent failed to process method {DataTransfer.SyncDisk}

These errors suggest that the Veeam service is unable to interact with the virtual device file because it might not be available or not correctly initialized.

Resolution

To address this issue, follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1: Access the Linux System

Log into the Linux machine using an account that has root privileges or can use su or sudo to execute commands as the superuser:

sudo su -

or

su

Run the following command to unmount each Veeam virtual device that is causing errors:

umount /dev/veeamimageX

Step 3: Restart Veeam Service

Restart the Veeam service to apply the changes and reinitialize the virtual devices. Use the following command:

systemctl restart veeamservice

This command ensures that the Veeam service is restarted and any issues with previous mounts are cleared.

Step 4: Rerun the Backup Job

Once the service has been restarted, rerun the backup job from the Veeam Backup & Replication (VBR) console to check if the issue is resolved.

Additional Tips

• Ensure that there are no underlying disk issues on your Linux machine that may be causing the Veeam backup process to fail.
• Check the permissions of the /dev/veeamimageX devices to confirm that the Veeam service has the required access rights.
• If the problem persists, refer to Veeam’s official documentation or contact Veeam support for further assistance.

Summary

When encountering virtual device access errors during Veeam backups with the Linux agent, it is often due to issues with the device files not being properly initialized or available. This guide provided a step-by-step approach to unmount the problematic devices, restart the Veeam service, and rerun the backup job to resolve these errors. By ensuring proper device management and permissions, you can maintain smooth backup operations and reduce disruptions.

For further assistance, please consult Veeam support or refer to their official documentation.