Backup and Restore the Host

[dpsmithPH]

Hello.

Beginner VMware Admin here.

I was asked how I'm going to backup the 3 Host servers in case of a failure.

Done a lot of reading but I'm not sure of the correct plan to have.

I'm a Windows guy so be gentle. :smileyconfused:

Setup:

3 Hosts with ESX 4.1

This article looks promising:

http://vmetc.com/2008/10/11/how-to-backup-vmware-esx-servers/

But it's almost 3 years old.

I don't have any additional users that log onto the Hosts.

Just Root.

I also don't have any additional configuration.

Is my best option just to reinstall from CD?

I've also have a blank check of sorts.

I can buy any backup product that works and if it includes the VMs as well than all the better.

Any suggestions?

David

[DSTAVERT]

Is this ESX and do you have vCenter or is this ESXi Standalone free?

[DSTAVERT]

http://communities.vmware.com/docs/DOC-10780 contains a nice list of some of the backup products that work with ESX or ESXi.

[Troy_Clavell]

thread moved from VMware Server 1 to Backup & Recovery

[Troy_Clavell]

I'd say don't worry about your ESX Hosts you should protect your  guests.  If you could get a successful backup of your ESX Host, a  restore, if sucessful would take a heck of a lot longer than it would to  rebuild.

[dpsmithPH]

Hi, it's EXSi 4.1 and I do have VCenter.

[DSTAVERT]

If your package is Essentials Plus or higher then you have access to the vDR appliance. http://vmware.com/go/data-recovery

[dpsmithPH]

We have Advanced. So I don't think so.

[DSTAVERT]

vDR was added to Advanced recently. Log into your account and you should be able to download it.

[bulletprooffool]

ESX hosts are quick and easy to rebuild - your guests are your major worry.

If you are using ESXi, you can easily use PowerCli to backup your config though - also, you could (if you were licensed to the correct level) use Powercli to reduce configuration times in the case of needing ot recover from disaster.

[petedr]

I would agree most people rebuild their hosts and dont look to back them up, the VMs are the key for backups. If you have an Enterprise Plus license you can also look at Host Profiles for implementing a standard host configuration. It doesn't handle everything, like licensing but it is a good start.

www.thevirtualheadline.com

[CBriggs53]

Its always good practice to at least take note of the config of anything that you might need to build again.  This goes for your hosts as well.  As mentioned it is easy to bring them back up and with some notes about the config its a quick and painless process.  The main concern is the guests as that what most people need access too.  A good backup software like PHDVB should get you on the right path.

[petedr]

  In the classic ESX days I usually would recommend people to make a copy of the entire /etc folder so they have it for reference. Now with kick start abilitie, host profiles and with vSphere 5 AutoDeploy things are getting easier from the host perspective.

www.thevirtualheadline.com