VMware Communities > VMTN > VMware Infrastructure™ > VI: ESXi 3.5 > Discussions
Up to Discussions in VI: ESXi 3.5

This Question is Possibly Answered

1 "correct" answer available (10 pts) 2 "helpful" answers available (6 pts)
3 Replies Last post: Jun 20, 2009 11:06 AM by AndreTheGiant
Reply

Cant backup to cd/dvd rw - can it be done?

Jun 17, 2009 2:54 PM

Click to view ChrisWilkins's profile Lurker ChrisWilkins 2 posts since
May 30, 2009

I have a new HP ML350 G5.I 've installed ESXi 3.5 U4 embedded. This came with an an optical SATA (ESXI 2.5 U4 would not pick up)which I have replaced with an Lite-on DVD-RW IDE drive. This only works in read only.

I have set up three VMs each being Server 2003r2. I have made on VM a backup server with Symantec Backup Exec 12.5 installed. The plan was to back up data of the other two server 200sr3 VMs and write/burn to a removabalbe media being a CDR/RW and or DVD-R/RW

How can get a CD/DVD writer to work?

Chris......S.London

Reply Re: Cant backup to cd/dvd rw - can it be done? Jun 17, 2009 3:05 PM
Click to view RParker's profile Champion RParker 5,270 posts since
Dec 6, 2006
First of all a DVD only holds 8.5Gb of data if you are lucky. Most VM's probably require that at least. Secondly backing up to direct to a CD would be really really really slow. Disk is better, you can ARCHIVE to CD / DVD later.

And no you can't get this to work in a VM anyway.
Reply Re: Cant backup to cd/dvd rw - can it be done? Jun 20, 2009 10:48 AM
in response to: RParker
Click to view ChrisWilkins's profile Lurker ChrisWilkins 2 posts since
May 30, 2009

Thanks for the reply

The amount of data we wanted to burn to a CD (or DVD) was small and was to be stored elseware (fire safe or taken of site weekly) in case of disaster.

Do you know why CDRW roms don't work with ESXi? What about tape drives, USB devices etc? Where can I found a list of limitation in regards to ESXi 3.5 U4

Cheers....Chris.W

Reply Re: Cant backup to cd/dvd rw - can it be done? Jun 20, 2009 11:06 AM
in response to: ChrisWilkins
Click to view AndreTheGiant's profile Guru AndreTheGiant 5,643 posts since
Aug 28, 2008
Tape could work (using SCSI passthrough).
But must be SCSI or SAS and connected to a supported SCSI interface.

USB drive/tape/... are not supported into VM.

Andre
Actions
Up to Discussions in VI: ESXi 3.5