Is "VSS Support" installed with VMWare Tools by default and its use ?

[TonyJK]

Hi,

We are running ESXi 5.5.

When we update / install VMware Tools, we would like to know

1) Is VSS Installed as default ?

2) Do we need to enable VSS in VMware tools ?

Thanks

Message was edited by: TonyJK

[mcrape]

Hi there - VSS is a function of Windows, not VMware. When VMware Tools are installed, VMs can then be quiesced (using VSS) for a more consistent backup of snapshot.

Hopefully that makes sense.

[AdilArif]

Hi TonyJK,

As mcrape suggested, VSS is a different feature altogether.

Here is a good overview of what VMWare Tools is.

VMware KB: Overview of VMware Tools

Cheers,

Adil Arif

[TonyJK]

Hi,

From Veeam documentation, they write

We recommend using application-aware image processing instead of VMware Tools quiescence.

Installing  "Volume Shadow Copy Services Support" option will allow VMware Tools to perform VSS-aware file system snapshots, but not VSS-aware application snapshots.

Does it mean that if we don't install "Volume Shadow Copy Services Support" in VMware Tools, we can still invoke "Application Aware VSS" on a Virtual Machine ?

Thanks

[AdilArif]

Hi Tony,

If you could explain, what is the end goal that you are trying to achieve? Maybe we would be in a better position to answer.

Cheers,

Adil Arif

[mcrape]

Hi TonyJK - Volume Shadow Copy Services Support is part of the standard VMware Tools install. It is highly recommended that you install these in your VMs as it greatly improves performance. What Veeam is referring to is if you want to be able to back programs that are running in-memory (e.g. databases, Exchange, etc.), then VMware Tools needs to be installed to take the snapshot, which Veeam backs up from.

Hopefully that clarifies things for you.