---
title: "Backup Infrastructure Components"
description: "To start working with Veeam Backup & Replication, you must set up the backup infrastructure. The basic Veeam Backup & Replication infrastructure consists of the following core components: Backup server A machine on which Veeam Backup & Replication..."
canonical: "https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/vbr/qsg/infrastructure_components.html"
breadcrumb: "Quick Start Guide > Backup Infrastructure > Backup Infrastructure Components"
dateModified: "2026-10-21"
---

# Backup Infrastructure Components

To start working with Veeam Backup & Replication, you must set up the backup infrastructure. The basic Veeam Backup & Replication infrastructure consists of the following core components:

- **Backup server**

  A machine on which Veeam Backup & Replication is installed. The backup server performs main management operations: coordinates backup, replication and restore tasks, controls job scheduling and resource allocation.

- **Backup repository**

  A component where Veeam Backup & Replication keeps backup files, backup copies and metadata of replicated VMs.

- **[For VMware vSphere] VMware backup proxy**

  A component that retrieves data from the source host, processes it and transfers to the backup repository.

- **[For Microsoft Hyper-V] Backup proxy (on-host or off-host)**

  A component that retrieves data from the source host, processes it and transfers to the backup repository.

- **Infrastructure servers and hosts**

  VMware vSphere and Microsoft Hyper-V hosts that you plan to use as source and target for backup, replication and other activities. Microsoft Windows and Linux servers for which you plan to assign roles of a backup proxy or backup repository.

## Reference

For details on all backup infrastructure components, see the [Backup Infrastructure Components](https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/vbr/userguide/components.html?ver=13) section in the Veeam Backup & Replication User Guide.