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5 Replies Last post: Mar 21, 2007 9:46 AM by petedr
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Backup solutions...

Mar 21, 2007 4:35 AM

Click to view stogner's profile Novice stogner 5 posts since
Mar 19, 2007
Hello,
I am trying to find the best way to backup VM machines either via a APP or manually.. Any information or utilities to try would be great.. thank you.
Reply Re: Backup solutions... Mar 21, 2007 4:36 AM
Click to view epping's profile Expert epping 794 posts since
Oct 9, 2003
personally i think the best way is just to stick an agent in the vm i.e. just like you do with a physical machine
Reply Re: Backup solutions... Mar 21, 2007 4:41 AM
Click to view thorsten.trittschack's profile Hot Shot thorsten.trittschack 124 posts since
Jan 16, 2006
Check esXpress from PHD, best backup tool I ever tried. Reliable, fast and cheap. There is a free version with a speed throttle, but good enough to see how it works.

http://www.esxpress.com/
Reply Re: Backup solutions... Mar 21, 2007 4:45 AM
Click to view mittell's profile Champion mittell 3,095 posts since
Apr 25, 2006
Free solution for VM level backups.

http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=70253
Reply Re: Backup solutions... Mar 21, 2007 5:36 AM
Click to view davidbarclay's profile Master davidbarclay 1,095 posts since
Sep 20, 2006
CAN OF WORMS!

There is no "best way". There are many ways that suit different people.

VCB has its flaw/limitations, but can do some really cool stuff.

Vizioncore's esxRanger IMHO is the leader of the 3rd party providers (and has VCB support).

Either way, you will still need agents in most VMs for now.

Dave
Reply Re: Backup solutions... Mar 21, 2007 9:46 AM
Click to view petedr's profile Master petedr 1,331 posts since
Mar 18, 2006
I would recommend that you atleast do the complete guest (vmdk) backup. Without that you are missing one of the best advantages of running a server as a VM. That is to be able to a complete 100% backup of the entire machine.

Then if you have requirements that call for the use of agents inside the VM that do that also to compliment the vmdk backup.

Also in our environment we use esXpress.
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