Manual backup on VSphere 5 Essential Plus.

[linuxmc]

Hi to all,

a very simple question. I need to do, each month, a cold backup of my virtual machines. I want to do it manually.

Is it enough if i copy only .vmx and vmdk files or is it better if i copy all the files contained within the virtual machine folder ?

Thanks, bye.

[julienvarela]

Hi,

It is enough, but the best way if you want to export manually your VM , is to create a ovf. Because when you create a OVF, your VM will be compressed and all your VM'sconfiguration will be correctly exported.

Select your VM, click on File--> Export --> Export OVF Template.

Regards,

Julien.

[linuxmc]

Yes, it seems good, thanks. But if i want to exclude a virtual disk from the backup, i can't do it with "Export OVF Template" procedure. Is it right?

[aravinds3107 · Accepted solution]

Is it enough if i copy only .vmx and vmdk files

The vmdk files contains the actual data of the VM's so this needs to be backed up, VMX files jut contain the configuration information of the VM and it is easy to create if the vmdk files are present.

But if i want to exclude a virtual disk from the backup, i can't do it with "Export OVF Template" procedure

OVF option exports entire content of the VM folders in compressed format.

What is the exact of purpose of doing it manually?

Everyone prefer for an automated was than manual , If you are goal is perform a backup take a look at this  ghettoVCB.sh - Free alternative for backing up VM's for ESX(i) 3.5, 4.x & 5.x

[julienvarela]

If you want to exclude a vmdk, just before the export, remove the vmdk from edit settings ( But do not delete it ! ) and you will not retrieve the vmdk on the ovf template.

When you export is finish, just add your vmdk again.

Regards,

julien.

[linuxmc]

Yes, i thought the same.

[linuxmc]

Everyone prefer for an automated was than manual , If you are goal is perform a backup take a look at this  ghettoVCB.sh - Free alternative for backing up VM's for ESX(i) 3.5, 4.x & 5.x

Yes i know, but i prefer to do the first backup manually and within Virtual Center. To use ghettoVCB.sh it's necessary to work directly with the console and i prefer to avoid this risk at the moment (i'm a neophyte for this kind of management task).

[aravinds3107]

By remove the vmdk and exporting the VM as OVF you have downtime during the backup window and also you are not backing up the VMDK which contains the actual data of your VM's .

probably you may need to have a proper back software in place for your production environment, Check this VM Explorer Editions - Free/Pro and see if the free edition it helps for you.