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9 Replies Last post: Feb 29, 2008 8:00 AM by Froste

esXpress VM Backup Software

Feb 6, 2008 7:28 AM

JFWilmer 40 posts since
Mar 27, 2007

We are currently evaluating esXpress ver 3.1 from PHD Tech.

So far this is the best software that we have tested and are considering purchasing this product.

Questions???

Are you using this backup software and how do you feel about it. Would you recommend?

What do you think they do really well and what could they improve on??

Is there another product out there that you feel is better....

Thanks again

Reply Re: esXpress VM Backup Software Feb 6, 2008 7:49 AM

vmroyale 1,253 posts since
Jun 15, 2007

I have been using it for a while and have no complaints at all. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

The backups work as expected, and I have had no surpirses at all with it. Restores are also very easy to accomplish.

Reply Re: esXpress VM Backup Software Feb 7, 2008 3:56 AM

kix1979 3,758 posts since
Oct 14, 2004 Moderator

Most people use a two pronged approach with Image based backups for DR & recovery purposes where file level restore from the image my be prohibitive. They suplement that with agent based backups with your traditional vendors for application level recovery or where they need fast access for FLR. Most of the traditional tools are also starting to get into image based backups by leveraging VCB from VMware, but in general if you are looking for a good image based tool I would start with one designed from the ground up as they tend to be more full featured.

Also check out Eric's site for a great list of backup related links for VMware. http://vmware-land.com/Vmware_Links.html

Reply Re: esXpress VM Backup Software Feb 9, 2008 11:31 AM

ctfoster 613 posts since
Nov 18, 2007

I've also been using it with 3.5 and have been really impressed by it. The things I like about it are; its simple, works out of the box and give me a high degree of confidence that I could get the VM back if I needed it in a hurry. One of the strengths of esXpress is the software free restore which gets round so many of the Catch22 situations you often find yourself in in DR senarios. The delta technology is a joy and the auto restore feature is one of the best kept secrets on the vm world.

Lastly the support is supposed to be pretty good, although I've never had to use it.

What could be better - documentation and the GUI. It's broken on 3.5 - but hopefully soon fixed. They could also give it away free ... oh they do!

Reply Re: esXpress VM Backup Software Feb 10, 2008 5:32 PM

in response to: ctfoster

ronzo 325 posts since
Nov 11, 2003

ctfoster-

Thanks for the good words
"The delta technology is a joy and the auto restore feature is one of the best kept secrets on the vm world."

The next new big secret is the advanced replication:
http://support.p2v.net/boards/read.php?5,6446

As for "and the GUI. It's broken on 3.5 - but hopefully soon fixed."
We hear from our contact that it is in the hands of their Engineers and they will let us know. But we are working on plan B, which is almost done too.

thanks
ronzo
phd technologies

Reply Re: esXpress VM Backup Software Feb 25, 2008 2:06 PM

Froste 18 posts since
Sep 26, 2007

We are also currently evaluating esXpress ver 3.1 from PHD Tech.

I have been working with their support team to customize the product to our environment and I have never dealt with a more helpful and knowledgeable support team.

If you are still trying to get VCB to work for your environment, definitely consider this product.

Reply Re: esXpress VM Backup Software Feb 26, 2008 12:50 AM

in response to: Froste

VBarak 43 posts since
Jun 26, 2007

do you know if they implement a smart solution for VM's with RDM in physical mode?

how do they solve this problem?

Reply Re: esXpress VM Backup Software Feb 27, 2008 12:02 AM

in response to: VBarak

petedr 1,331 posts since
Mar 18, 2006

Hey VBarak,

With esXpress you need to do Hot Backups you have to be able to add a snapshot to the VM to run which is an issue of course with physical RDMs (virtual RDMs are ok). The suggestion we have to today is we can backup the VM is by powering it off and then skipping the physical RDM. This probably doesn't help your situation at this point but we are always looking at new ideas to address issues like this. Possibly in the future we will have a solution for physical RDMs.

Pete@esxpress

Reply Re: esXpress VM Backup Software Feb 28, 2008 1:06 PM

in response to: ctfoster

jaygriffin 157 posts since
May 3, 2006

esXpress version 3.1.8 is out and the GUI works in 3.5!

Reply Re: esXpress VM Backup Software Feb 29, 2008 8:00 AM

in response to: jaygriffin

Froste 18 posts since
Sep 26, 2007

esXpress version 3.1.9 is out

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02/28/2008 04:26 PM

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