Category Archives: IT Pro

Do I really need 10Gbps fiber to the home?

Posted on by
Reply

Do I really need 10Gbps fiber to the home?

Do I really need 10 Gbps fiber to the home? The nerd in me would love 10 Gbps (or 25 Gbps) Internet connectivity to play with in my home lab. Online, you will see many people with 1Gbps or better. Quite often, these people earn good money or live in countries where prices are very low. More often than not, they are technical and enjoy playing with and testing this kind of network connectivity. So do I, but the question is whether I need it. Do you need it, or do you want it?

I would like it, but I do not need it

Yes, I’d like to have a 10Gbps Internet connection at home. Luckily, two things keep me in check. First, I was doing OK with VDSL at about 65 Mbps down and 16 Mbps up, based on my measurements. Now that I switched to fiber (they stopped offering VDSL), I pay 0.95 Euros more a month for 150 Mbps down and 50 Mbps up with a different provider. That is more than adequate for home use, IT lab work (learning and testing), and telecommuting with 2 to 3 people.

Do I really need 10Gbps fiber to the home?

Look, I don’t have IPTV or subscriptions to online streamers. I limit myself to what is free from all the TV networks, and that is about it. I am not a 16-year-old expert gamer with superhuman reflexes who needs the lowest possible latency, even when parents and siblings are streaming movies on their TVs. Also, telework video meetings do not require or use 4K for 99.99% of people. The most important factor is stability, and in that regard, fiber-to-the-home clearly beats VDSL.

What about my networking lab work

Most of my lab experiments and learning are on 1Gbps gear. If I need more, it is local connectivity and not to the Internet.

The moment you get more than 1 Gbps of Internet connectivity, you need the use cases and gear to leverage it and achieve your ROI. Bar the 2.5 Gbps NICs in PCs and prosumer switches; that leaves 10 Gbps or higher equipment. You need to acquire that kit, but for most lab experiments, it is overkill; it consumes more electricity, can be noisy, and produces heat. The latter is unwelcome in summer. The result is the bill goes up on different fronts, and how much more knowledge do I gain? 100Gbps RDMA testing is something I do in more suitable labs outside of the house. 10Gbps or higher at home is something I would use for local backups and secondary backups to a secondary site.

If not 10 Gbps Internet connectivity, why not 1Gbps?

Well, 1Gbps Internet connectivity sounds nice, but it is still mostly overkill for me today. Sure, if I were downloading 150GB+ virtual hard disks or uploading them to Azure all the time. That would saturate my bandwidth, leading to issues for other use cases at home, and my patience would be depleted very quickly.

But in reality, such situations are rare and can usually be planned. For those occasions, I practice my patience and enjoy the stability of my connection. The latter is better than at many companies, where zero-trust TLS inspection and mandatory VPNs like GlobalProtect make long-running uploads and downloads a game of chance. Once you have enough headroom, bandwidth is less important than stability, latency, and consistent throughput.

The most interesting use case I would have for 1Gbps (or better) would be off-site backups or archival storage when the target can ingest data at those speeds. Large backups can take a long time, limiting their usability and the ability to enable real-time backups. But since I need a local backup anyway, I can restrict the data sync to nighttime and the most essential data. And again, somewhere in the cloud, you need storage that can ingest the data, and that also comes at a cost. So rationally, I do not require higher bandwidth today. All cool, but why not go for it anyway?

Do I really need 10Gbps fiber to the home?

Cost is a factor

Sure, in the future I might get 1 Gbps or better, but not today, because we have arrived at the second reason: cost. Belgium is not a cheap country for internet connectivity compared to some other countries. And sure, if I spent 99.99 Euro per month instead of 34.95, I could get 8.5 Gbps down and 8 Gbps up. That’s about the best you can realistically expect from fiber-to-the-home via a shared GPON/XGS-PON, which is the model we have in Belgium. If I ever need more than my current 150Mbps down / 50Mbps up subscription, I can go to 500Mbps down / 100Mbps up or to 1000Mbps down / 500Mbps up to control costs.

Yes, I hear you, what is another 10 to 20 Euros per month? Well, think about the dozens of recurring expenses you have, each adding 10-20 Euros. That adds up every month. It is smart to control that and keep it low. Unemployment, illness, and economic hardship are always a possibility, and it is smart to control your budget. That way, you can weather a financial storm more easily, and you don’t have to rush to cut unnecessary spending. That holds, even when you make way more than average. Going from 150 Gbps down/50 Gbps up to 8.5 Gbps down and 8 Gbps up is a slight percentage increase in cost compared to the increase in bandwidth, but it does add to your fixed expenses. Frugal, sure, but also rational and realistic.

Now, Digi in Belgium offers Fiber To The Home for 10 euros per month, and I would jump on it. Unfortunately, it is only available in one town. Their expansion to the rest of the country seems at a standstill, and it would not surprise me if the powers that be (ISPs and politicians) have no urge to move this forward to protect (tax) revenue. But in due time, we might see the budget offerings move up the stack, and then you can move with them.

Speed is addictive

It is a fact that speed is addictive. Seeing that FTP or Windows ISO downloads are 10 times faster at first is very satisfying, and then that becomes your minimum acceptable speed. But that is the case whether you upgrade to 150 Mbps down/50 Mbps up, 2.5 Gbps down/2.5 Gbps up, or even higher. Don’t get me wrong, speed is also good. It provides a better experience for working from home or streaming a 4K movie. Just be sensible about it. They like to upsell bundles in Belgium, making you buy more than you need. On top of that, the relatively low price increase for ever more bandwidth is meant to lure you in: as you buy more bandwidth, the percentage increase in cost is low versus the gain in bandwidth, but the total cost still goes up.

But speed is not the biggest concern for many businesses when it comes to employee comfort. I see so many companies sharing 10Gbps among thousands of employees in their office buildings, and I realize I have it good at home.

If you go for 1Gbps or higher on purpose, fully knowing when and what you can use it for, have a blast. Many people have no idea what their bandwidth needs are, let alone when or how they consume bandwidth.

Conclusion

Do I really need 10Gbps fiber to the home? Today, that answer is definitely “no.” For work-from-home scenarios, 150 Mbps down and 50 Mbps up is perfect. You can comfortably work from home all they long with two or three people. The only issue you can encounter is when someone starts downloading or uploading a 150 GB virtual hard disk during video calls, if the telecommuters or your kids are torrenting 8K movies during office hours.

For me, unless I magically become very wealthy, I will keep things at home fiscally responsible. For educational purposes, such as learning about network technologies (switching, routing, firewalling, forward and reverse proxying, load balancing), 1 Gbps or less for Internet connectivity will suffice. 1 Gbps for your hardware needs is also good enough. It is also easier to obtain cheaply or for free via dumpster diving and asking for discarded hardware.

Sure, if you want to learn about 100Gbps networking and RDMA, that will not do it. The costs for hardware, electricity, and cooling are so high that you will need corporate sponsorship and a lab to make it feasible. And that is local or campus connectivity, rarely long-distance WAN networks.

So, start with 150 Mbps down and 50 Mbps up. Move to 500 Mbps down and 100 Mbps up if you notice a real need. That will be plenty for the vast majority. If not, rinse and repeat, but chances are you do not need it.

Veeam Vanguard Applications for the 2026 class

Posted on by
Reply

The Veeam Vanguard Program

Veeam has opened the Veeam Vanguard Applications for the 2026 class. That means that new applications are now being accepted. If you work with Veeam products, as a customer, consultant, partner in any shape or form, and contribute to the success and advancement of Veeam deployments and usage in the world by sharing your experience and insights, this might be something for you.

The Essence of the Veeam Vanguard Program

The Veeam Vanguard Program is Veeam’s premier, long‑running community initiative that recognizes the most dedicated, knowledgeable, and influential Veeam experts around the world. It sits at the top of the Veeam100 community structure and offers members unparalleled access to Veeam’s product teams, early releases, strategy discussions, and exclusive events. Vanguards aren’t just users or partners — they are trusted voices who help shape Veeam’s future.

What the Veeam Vanguard Program Is

  • A global community of top Veeam experts who deeply understand Veeam technologies and actively share that expertise.
  • Part of the Veeam100, alongside Veeam Legends and Veeam MVPs.
  • A highly exclusive program offering:
    • Early access to beta products and the ability to influence product development.
    • Direct interaction with Veeam’s product strategy and management teams.
    • Monthly deep‑dive sessions with Veeam technologists.
    • Free access to VeeamON events and the annual Veeam100 Summit.
  • A platform that amplifies members’ voices, featuring their work through newsletters, spotlights, and community channels.

What Makes a Great Veeam Vanguard

A strong Veeam Vanguard embodies both technical mastery and community impact. The best candidates typically:

  • Demonstrate deep Veeam expertise.
    They understand Veeam products at a high level and stay engaged with new features, releases, and best practices.
  • Create consistent, original content.
    Blog posts, videos, guides, labs, or technical write‑ups — not just social posts. Vanguards contribute knowledge that helps the entire community grow.
  • Actively engage with the Veeam ecosystem.
    They participate in forums, discussions, user groups, and community hubs, helping others solve problems and learn.
  • Share openly and generously.
    Vanguards are known for lifting others up, not gatekeeping expertise.
  • Show passion for Veeam and its community.
    They’re enthusiastic advocates who genuinely enjoy working with Veeam technologies and contributing to the community’s success.

Call to action

If you recognize yourself in this profile, why not apply to become a Veeam Vanguard? You will interact, meet, and mingle with many like-minded experts. That will expand your reach to a global network where you can learn and grow. You will receive recognition for your expertise, and Veeam runs a strong community program that, over the years, has consistently been among the best in the industry. I have written about that here Veeam 100 Summit 2025 – Prague: Trust, Resilience, and Community in Action – Working Hard In IT

Really, do apply! Veeam is offering you a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic and supportive community. They and we, your fellow Veeam community members, would love to welcome new faces in the 2026 class! You can find the announcement by Veeam here: Apply to the 2026 Veeam Vanguard Program. Apply using the big apply button at the top left of the article) Or use this direct link: Veeam Vanguard 2026 Application | SurveyPlanet. The application process is open until January 9th.

Why You Need an Immutable Backup Repository, And Why Veeam’s Just Enough OS and VBR appliance are the Smart Choice

Posted on by
Reply

Introduction

Let’s be honest: if you’re still relying on traditional backup strategies without immutability in today’s threat landscape, you’re playing a game of Russian roulette. Ransomware isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a business model. Insider threats aren’t hypothetical; they’re happening. And when the proverbial shit hits the fan, your backups are either your lifeline or your liability. Then there are wipers, who want to destroy data and your business, nothing else. They don’t ask for ransom payments, blackmail you to stop them from exposing your confidential files, or threaten to harm your personnel physically. Destruction and mayhem are all they care about. You need protection!

So, how do you prepare for that? You need a hardened repository, providing immutability and protection from deletion! Not just any Windows or generic Linux box with some tweaks, but a purpose-built, security-first solution. And suppose you want to avoid reinventing the wheel while staying compliant and operationally sane. In that case, the Veeam Hardened Repository ISO or its successor, Veeam Just Enough OS (Veeam JEOS), is the recommended approach.

Now, while I focus on the why related to Veeam’s Hardened Repository ISO, it is worth noting that an immutable repository does not exist in isolation. The 3-2-1-1-0 rule, CPU core and memory sizing, redundancy, high availability, IOPS, throughput, and storage and networking capacity matter! However, when it comes to the 3-2-1-1-0 rule, I have always stated that I don’t count the production workload as a copy. However, that one immutable copy is something I’m gradually changing into zero non-immutable and deletable copies.

Additionally, hardening any role in your backup fabric is now a must. Everything is a target, including your employees, via social engineering.

Hardened Linux Repository with immutability

Using a Hardened Linux Repository with immutability should be mandatory. None of this is about being paranoid; it’s about being prepared. Sure, you can laugh at me, say it is overkill or too expensive. Laughing is healthy, so keep doing that. But listen to me. It is not overkill and is not more costly. It is not even more cumbersome, except for the inevitable extra steps in a zero-trust workflow. There is even a bonus: when ransomware strikes, listening to me might keep that smile on your face!

You may have seen my blog post, Revised script for decrypting datacenter credentials from the Veeam Backup & Replication database | Working Hard In IT. That post does not mean Veeam or Windows cryptography implementations are inherently flawed; it highlights the inevitable consequences of having root access to your system. Hence, you can guess that you require any server role in your Veeam backup environment to be hardened as much as possible. Veeam is therefore also providing a Veeam Software Appliance (VeeamSoftwareAppliance_13.0.0.12109.BETA2.iso).

When you build your own Veeam Hardened Linux Repository, you must take technical measures and establish a process flow to service genuine requests and protect against both external and internal malicious actions. All that is taken care of by the Veeam appliance approach. Not too shabby, not too shabby at all!

A hardened Linux repository is a tactical and strategic asset in a backup fabric. It gives you a fighting chance and serves as an ark of Noah to start over from. Below, we will discuss why it should be a mandatory component in your architecture.

Immutability is essential

If your backups can be deleted, encrypted, or tampered with, you don’t have backups, but “hope”. You have a false sense of security. Immutability ensures that your backup data is locked down and protected from malware or rogue administrators.

Pre-Hardened OS

Security isn’t just about firewalls and antivirus. It’s about reducing your attack surface. A pre-hardened OS turns off unnecessary services, enforces strict access controls, and aligns with best practices from the outset. That means a lot of work and worrying that you don’t have to do.

STIG Compliance

Want to sleep better at night? Align with government-grade security standards. STIG compliance ensures your repository is secure, and you can reference Veeam to support that claim when needed.

Ransomware Resilience

Ransomware loves backup data. It’s the first thing attackers go after. A hardened repository isolates your backups and enforces immutability, making it a fortress against encryption attempts.

Auditability & Compliance

GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001 compliance isn’t optional. Hardened repositories support forensic analysis, secure logging, and system integrity checks. You’re not just protected; you can prove to an auditor. Yes, compliance is a thing, and while the actual protection comes before compliance reports, we cannot ignore that.

Operational Stability

Misconfigurations are the silent killers of IT. A hardened repo minimizes that risk. With pre-applied security settings, even teams without deep Linux chops can deploy confidently.

Maintenance without effort

Security updates and patches? Streamlined. Veeam handles the OS and repo updates, so you don’t have to babysit your infrastructure. I still need to determine if the ISO can also handle firmware updates for you.

Insider Threat Mitigation

Not every threat comes from outside. Role-based access, BMC port protection, and restricted shell access help prevent internal sabotage, whether accidental or intentional.

Strategic Value

All the above is not just a technical and operational advantage. It’s a business win. A hardened repo ensures your backups are a reliable recovery point, even when everything else goes sideways. It is your Ark of Noah! And guess what? Have redundant Arks! One is none, two is one 😉.

Why Veeam’s Just Enough OS ISO Is a Game-Changer

You could build your own hardened Linux repo. I’ve done it. It works. But it’s not for everyone. Veeam’s Hardened Repository ISO (VeeamHardenedRepository_2.0.0.8_20250117.iso) streamlines the process, automates the hardening, and provides a vendor-backed solution that’s ready for production.

The future Veeam Just Enough OS hardened repository (VeeamJEOS_13.0.0.12109.BETA2.iso) is well locked down, and privileged actions require security officer approval. While that is essential in a zero-trust world, it also means you must have your processes streamlined and communication lines open. When people need to reset a password or require root access for troubleshooting, they cannot wait until the next business day when the security officer is at work, let alone a week, because somebody has to bring it up at the weekly CISO approval board.

Look, you can roll your hardened repository if you have the skills, time, and appetite for ongoing maintenance. I have done that and might still do so depending on the environment and requirements. However, if you’re looking for a secure, compliant, and low-maintenance solution that works, Veeam Hardened Repository ISO or its successor, Veeam Just Enough OS, is the answer. By starting today, testing these solutions, you gain insights and experience using them, and will be optimally prepared for when Veeam Backup & Replication v13 becomes available. The Veeam Hardened Repository ISO has experimental support, enabling its use in production environments. At the very least, you can store one backup copy on it today. If you are interested in this for future use, consider Veeam Just Enough OS (VeeamJEOS_13.0.0.12109.BETA2.iso) as part of the future V13 release. However, that one is not yet production-ready. But it won’t be long now when we look at the post by Anton Gostev on LinkedIn! At the time of writing this post, it should be less than a month.

Conclusion

The above is not paranoia, and it’s not just about ticking boxes for compliance. It’s about building a backup strategy that survives real-world threats. And in that world, immutability isn’t optional. It’s your insurance policy. Look, I have seen the devastation ransomware causes. It is a horrible place to be. I don’t want you to be in that world of hurt. However, we cannot prevent it. You are a target, and you will get hit. It is a question of when, not if. So make sure you have the means to come out on top!

Revised script for decrypting datacenter credentials from the Veeam Backup & Replication database

Posted on by
1

Introduction

In a previous article (Protecting your Veeam Backup and Replication Server is critical | Working Hard In IT), I discussed my script for decrypting the datacenter credentials from the Veeam Backup & Replication database. Since then, that PowerShell code has been published dozens of times all over the internet in various articles.

However, three relevant things have changed since my original blog post:

  1. Veeam v12.1 introduced a new encryption method.
    Firstly, in Veeam 12.1, the method of encrypting passwords has changed. That means the old script no longer works (always) as it only uses the legacy method.
  2. Veeam published its encryption and decryption methods.
    Secondly, Veeam has published the methods used to encrypt and decrypt passwords in the spirit of full disclosure and to preempt anyone who attempts to claim that Veeam is insecure. Those individuals or companies demonstrate only ignorance and malicious intentions. The good news is that the article has all the information we need to write a new script.
  3. Veeam now supports PostgreSQL, in addition to Microsoft SQL Server.
    Finally, Veeam now also supports MySQL as a database, in addition to Microsoft SQL. That means we need to ensure that we can retrieve the necessary data from both database types.

Background Info & approach

I based the script on information found in the Veeam KB article “How to Recover Account Credentials From the Veeam Backup & Replication Database” (https://www.veeam.com/kb4349).

Instead of having two scripts, my old one and a newer one. I decided to create one that would work on VBR v12 and lower, as well as on VBR 12.1 and higher.

What Changed in Encryption

Until version 12, Veeam used its internal .NET static method:

[Veeam.Backup.Common.ProtectedStorage]::GetLocalString($encryptedPassword)

That method leverages the native Microsoft Data Protection API (DPAPI) under the hood. It was part of the Veeam.Backup.Common.dll and worked well up to version 12. In v12.1 and beyond, this method no longer exists. Instead, Veeam now leverages the native Microsoft Data Protection API (DPAPI), directly:

[System.Security.Cryptography.ProtectedData]::Unprotect($bytes, $salt, ‘LocalMachine’)

Since both leverage the native Microsoft Data Protection API, I figured I could also use the [System.Security.Cryptography.ProtectedData]::Unprotect static method to decrypt those legacy passwords as long as I don’t try to leverage the optionalEntropy parameter for them. The good news is that in the KB article, Veeam provides instructions on how to differentiate between the legacy and new types of password encryption. That allows me to write logic to determine the version and execute the corresponding decryption method accordingly.

By the way, once you update a password on v12.1 or up, it will be encrypted with the new method. As time passes, by rotating the passwords, legacy encryption phases out.

The new script

I did not want to maintain two separate scripts, one for the legacy password decryption method and one for the newer one. That’s why  I’ve consolidated everything into a single, unified PowerShell script. It supports:

  • Supports VBR v10 through v12.3+ and decrypts Veeam credentials from registry and database.
    • The Veeam Backup & Replication encryption salt in the registry lives here: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Veeam\Veeam Backup and Replication\Data.

    • The Veeam database info in the registry lives here:
      Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Veeam\Veeam Backup and Replication\DatabaseConfigurations\
  • Per-user counters and clean output formatting
  • Supports MSSQL and PostgreSQL configurations
  • Handles multiple password formats:
    • ‘v12 and lower’
    • ‘v12.1 and up (with encryption salt)’
  • Optional filtering by username
  • Optional export to file (`Veeam_Credentials.txt` on Desktop)
  • Graceful error handling and informative console output

The script runs on Windows only, because DPAPI is a Windows-native feature. With VBR v13 introducing Linux-based deployments, this script won’t work in those environments. That’s a different challenge for another day.

Getting the script

You can find the script on GitHub at https://github.com/WorkingHardInIT/Revised-script-for-decrypting-datacenter-credentials-from-the-Veeam-Backup-Replication-database. You will also find the documentation there.

Why do I need this script?

The IT world, like everywhere else, is not a perfect place, and I need a way to deal with imperfection. It is that simple. If we are honest, we all know that  IT environments aren’t always in pristine condition. Whether it’s a lab, a forgotten backup server, or an entire backup fabric for a production environment abandoned by a previous IT partner, credentials are often missing. Documentation is sparse. And when disaster strikes, you need access, fast.

My script has already helped IT teams recover access to critical systems when no one else could. I know because I’ve seen it happen. Before Veeam ever published its KB article, my original script was quietly saving the day in real-world scenarios.

Conclusion

Knowledge is power. And while power inherently allows abuse, hiding knowledge under the guise of “security” is just security theater. Security through obscurity is not security but window dressing.

That’s why I’m glad Veeam documented their credential encryption methods. It empowers administrators to recover access responsibly. And it exposes the charlatans who twist transparency into baseless accusations of insecurity. I just felt compelled to create a handy, functional script around it that I can use when needed.

If someone uses this information to claim Veeam is irresponsible, they could not be more wrong. They prove themselves to be untrustworthy. To me, they’ve lost their reputation and credibility.

This script isn’t about hacking. It’s about recovery, accountability, and clarity. And if it helps you regain control of your environment when all else fails, then it’s done its job.