ESX/EXi server redundency using internal storage

[shannonadams]

I am using ESXi to run a few rarely used VMs. ESXi is running an a server with internal storage. Since ESXi does not have backup capabilities, I would like to install another ESXi server and keep the two in sync in case the primary server crashes.

First, is this possible with ESXi? Or do I need to purchase an ESX license for both servers and also purchase and use VMotion to keep them in sync?

Secondly, what is the maximum amount RAM ESXi and/or ESX 3.5 will support?

Thanks,

Shannon

[weinstein5]

To keep two ESX/ESXi servers in synch you will need to a buy a third party product like Doubletake or vReplicator - vmotion just allows you to move a virtual machine between hosts - you can install backup agents inside your VM to back them up

From the maximum amount of memory an ESXi host can have is 256 GB - this is the same as ESX

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[Texiwill · Accepted solution]

Hello,

I am using ESXi to run a few rarely used VMs. ESXi is running an a server with internal storage. Since ESXi does not have backup capabilities, I would like to install another ESXi server and keep the two in sync in case the primary server crashes.

ESXi backup can be performed using the latest release of Veeam Backup. So that does exist now.

First, is this possible with ESXi? Or do I need to purchase an ESX license for both servers and also purchase and use VMotion to keep them in sync?

You could look into VM level replication (Doubletake, etc). VMDK level replication (vReplicator, Veeam Backup). Or look into Xtravirt XVS or HP Lefthand Networks VSA as alternative options. These last two options will sync local storage between multiple hosts. XVS is limited to 2 hosts and 1 LUN but VSA handles more. XVS is also free.

Best regards,
Edward L. Haletky
VMware Communities User Moderator, VMware vExpert 2009
====
Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.
Blue Gears and SearchVMware Pro Blogs -- Top Virtualization Security Links -- Virtualization Security Round Table Podcast

[mreferre]

This gets into some details about what Ed mentioned:

http://it20.info/blogs/main/archive/2008/05/19/121.aspx

Massimo.