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hack3rcon
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Create a backup from the whole server.

Hello,

How can I create a backup from ESXi host with its VMs?

Thank you.

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4 Replies
larstr
Champion
Champion

hack3rcon,

There are many different solutions to choose from. You can probably start here:

TOP 5 Backup Software for VMware Infrastructure

Lars

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NathanosBlightc
Commander
Commander

Most of the solutions for backup generation from ESXi host and virtual machine are separated from each other:

The best and easier way to generate a backup from ESXi host is vSphere Host Profile

But if you want to create VM backup there is many good solutions like VEEAM & Nakivo

Please mark my comment as the Correct Answer if this solution resolved your problem
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hack3rcon
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Thank you, but I meant was a solution for create backup from the whole physical server.

For example, I want to format the server and when I restore the backup then the hypervisor and all VMs restored.

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continuum
Immortal
Immortal

That is possible of course - nobody does it like that more than once - but its possible.

Assume you have ESXi and a single datastore on lets say a 4TB sata-disk.

Then power down all VMs. Power off ESXi.

Boot the host into Linux and create a full diskimage with ddrescue.

Dont use "smart" backup or fast imaging tools like ghost - that would probably fail.

A complete diskimage with ddrescue should do the job.

Does that make sense ? - it does make sense if you are a cop and need the image for further investigation.

For all other purposes it is far more useful to backup each single VM and setup a fresh ESXi and then either import a state.tgz from the old system as it is now or just redo the configuration manually.

Guessing from your nicname you may also regard it as a nice challenge - then dont let us stop you - go for ddrescue ...


________________________________________________
Do you need support with a VMFS recovery problem ? - send a message via skype "sanbarrow"
I do not support Workstation 16 at this time ...

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