VMware Cloud Community
montechnology
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

VMware ESX Essentials Kit - advice on choosing the right Essentials kit and backup software

Hey Guys

I'm just about to build a new server and turn the old one into a backup device and wanted some advice on choosing the right VMware ESX Essentials Kit and backup software.

Currently running 3x VM's (want room to grow as we may be adding a document management system later).

The new server specs are: 2x cpu (10core each), 96gb ram, 3TB storage (10x drives in raid10).

The old server specs are: 2x cpu (4core each), 32gb ram, 1.5TB storage (4x drives in raid5). (not expecting it to be a perfect backup host, but enough to get some services going. email, files etc).

I was thinking of using the standard VMware ESX Essentials Kit 5.5 and buying a license for each physical server. Will that support 2x cpu with 10x cores?

I'm currently using Shadowprotect for backup. Should I get the Essentials Plus kit with vMotion or get Shadowprtect headstart restore? I don't need the backup server to mount a VM instantly. Within a couple of hrs would be fine. 2days downtime would be when it starts becoming a problem.

What do you guys think? Am I heading in the right direction?

Kind Regards

Aaron

Tags (3)
Reply
0 Kudos
4 Replies
bayupw
Leadership
Leadership

Hi Aaron,

Have you tried vSphere Data Protection (VDP) ?

VMware vSphere with Operations Management: Data Protection

Some of my customers who are running vSphere with Essentials+ are using VDP for their backup.

You should be able to download a trial copy, try and see if it meets your requirements, RPO, RTO, manageability.

VDP is included in Essentials Plus if you are planning to get the Essentials+

VMware KB: vSphere Data Protection (VDP) FAQ

Q: Do I need additional licenses to use VDP?

VDP is included with vSphere Essentials Plus and higher.

Please note that the VDP is not application-aware (Exchange, SQL, etc).

If you need an application-aware backup you can go with VDP Advanced/VDPA vSphere Data Protection Advanced: Backup & Recovery in vSphere Environments

Either Essentials or Essentials+ it is recommended to have a backup (with Shadowprotect, VDP/VDPA, or any other backup software).

If you are planning to get the Essential+ and happy with VDP, you do not need to buy additional backup software.

vSphere Editions

Thanks,

Bayu

Bayu Wibowo | VCIX6-DCV/NV
Author of VMware NSX Cookbook http://bit.ly/NSXCookbook
https://github.com/bayupw/PowerNSX-Scripts
https://nz.linkedin.com/in/bayupw | twitter @bayupw
Reply
0 Kudos
montechnology
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Hey Bayu


Many thanks for your input. I do have SQL and Exchange running so application aware backup is needed.

The price difference between Essentials and Essentials+  seems to be $900 vs $8000.  I couldn't find a price for VDP Advanced/VDPA, so not sure of a final cost to get continuity. But have I got those prices about right?

This makes me think Essentials (non plus) might be the way to go and keep Shadowprotect as the backup software.

If I go that way can I just dump the Shadowprotect snapshots onto the backup server running Essentials and maybe use Headstart for a standby restore?

Any thoughts?

Kind Regards

Aaron

Reply
0 Kudos
bayupw
Leadership
Leadership

Hey Aaron

I'm not sure about the price.

You might need to contact VMware partner or VMware to get the price with VDPA, VDPA is another license which licensed per CPU.

For the Essentials Kit, you can also check the price in VMware online store here: VMware Official Online Store Online Store - VMware vSphere Essentials Kits

The additional features with Essentials+ are:

- vMotion (Live migration of VMs from one host to another with zero downtime)

- HA (Protects VMs and automatically restarts them in case of host failure, VM failure)

- VDP (Backup Recovery Tool)

- vSphere Replication (Virtual machine level replication by the vSphere host, normally used for replication by host between sites)

- vShield Endpoint (if you are using agentless anti-virus for virtualization).

Whether you need vMotion & HA or not it will be depends on your requirements.

If you need to protect the VMs from host failure and live migration between hosts (for hardware maintenance, hardware upgrade, hardware decommission) then you can you can consider the Essentials+.

If you do not need these additional features, you can go with Essentials (non +) with Shadowprotect, make sure the Shadowprotect is application-aware based on your requirements.

If you find this or any other answer useful please consider to mark it as Helpful or Correct Smiley Happy

Thanks,

Bayu

Bayu Wibowo | VCIX6-DCV/NV
Author of VMware NSX Cookbook http://bit.ly/NSXCookbook
https://github.com/bayupw/PowerNSX-Scripts
https://nz.linkedin.com/in/bayupw | twitter @bayupw
Reply
0 Kudos
montechnology
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Hi Bayu

I think we'll be ok without live migration so the Essentials non plus is what I'll get. I talked to Shadowprotect and Headstart Restore looks like a good way to go. Not instant uptime but well within the BDR requirements.

I was looking at the ESX 5.5 Essentials kit. It says "This kit includes 6 CPU licenses of vSphere Essentials (for 3 servers with up to 2 processors each) and 1 license for vCenter Server Essentials.".


Just one last question, Server1 has 2x CPU with 10x core's each, Server2 has 2x CPU with 4x cores each. Does that mean I only need to buy 1x copy of ESX 5.,5 Essentials and I am licensed to run it on both physical servers?


Kind Regards

Aaron

Reply
0 Kudos