.vbm

Extension: Veeam Backup Metadata File

Developer: Veeam Software

The .vbm file, or Veeam Backup Metadata file, is a crucial component of the Veeam Backup & Replication software suite. It doesn’t contain the actual backup data itself, but rather acts as a comprehensive index or catalog. Think of it as a detailed table of contents for your backups. This file stores essential information like the backup job’s name, the date and time of the backup, the source virtual machines or physical servers included, the storage repository where the backup data resides, and the backup type (e.g., full, incremental, or synthetic full). This metadata is vital for efficient backup management, allowing for quick identification of specific backups and streamlining the restoration process. Without the .vbm file, locating and restoring specific data within a large backup repository would be significantly more challenging.

You won’t typically open a .vbm file directly like a document or image. Its purpose is internal to the Veeam Backup & Replication console. The software automatically creates and manages these metadata files. To access the information within, you need to use the Veeam Backup & Replication application itself. The console provides a user-friendly interface to browse through your backups, using the information stored in the .vbm files to display details and facilitate restoration. Therefore, attempting to open a .vbm file with other applications will likely be unsuccessful. If you encounter issues with your Veeam backups, ensuring the integrity of the associated .vbm files is a crucial troubleshooting step.