We put Veeam Kasten to the test, exploring its capabilities for backing up Kubernetes and Lightbits software-defined storage, and the results were
incredible. While our previous experience with Velero provided a solid foundation, we wanted to compare Veeam Kasten, particularly in terms of ease of use, installation, and integration.
From the outset, Veeam Kasten stood out with its innovative approach. Unlike solutions that rely on an external S3-compliant object store, Veeam Kasten leverages the default volume class in Kubernetes. This streamlined design makes for a smooth and seamless experience. And let me tell you, it couldn’t have been easier!
The installation on our Kubernetes cluster was a breeze. We simply updated the cluster to use a default storage class (configured as a local class in this case), and the installation process was flawless from start to finish. The integration with Kubernetes and the Lightbits CSI driver was impeccable, requiring only a few minor YAML file updates with the correct annotations—a standard step, as we also had to do with Velero.
One of the most impressive features is the Veeam Kasten user interface. It’s incredibly intuitive and leverages pod and physical volume claim (PVC) annotations, making it exceptionally easy to filter and manage backups, even in complex environments with multiple applications sharing the same namespace.
Within less than two hours, we successfully completed our first backup and restore. This included creating a snapshot in Lightbits and restoring a PVC with multiple pods—a testament to how quickly you can get up and running. The true mark of success? Being able to demonstrate this seamless backup and restore process to a customer on the very same day. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Want to see how we did it? Click the link to download the white paper.
