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jadaboumalham
Contributor
Contributor

Install VCB on Virtual Machine Under ESX server.

Hello,

Can VCB be installed on virtual machine that runs under ESX server?

And can we install a tape drive or tape library on that Virtual Machine?

Thanks.

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AntonVZhbankov
Immortal
Immortal

Yes, VCB can be installed in VM, but you can not use it for LAN free backups with FC storage, so you are limited to iSCSI SAN backups or nbd backups (via service console of ESX servers).


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VMware vExpert '2009

http://blog.vadmin.ru

EMCCAe, HPE ASE, MCITP: SA+VA, VCP 3/4/5, VMware vExpert XO (14 stars)
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vmw-sfraser
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

That's not quite true. Smiley Happy

With ESX 3.5 U2 or later, you can use VCB hotadd mode, which will allow you to do FC backups with the VCB proxy as a VM.

Please see the Virtual Machine Backup Guide for details at:

Virtual Machine Backup Guide

Cheers!

There are 10 types of people in this world. Those who understand binary, and those who do not.
AntonVZhbankov
Immortal
Immortal

vmw-sfraser, I don't understand you, I'm talking about VCB in VM for iSCSI enveronment, you're saying that I'm wrong and explaining something about fibre channel.


---

VMware vExpert '2009

http://blog.vadmin.ru

EMCCAe, HPE ASE, MCITP: SA+VA, VCP 3/4/5, VMware vExpert XO (14 stars)
VMUG Russia Leader
http://t.me/beerpanda
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vmw-sfraser
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Sorry for the confusion. In your post, you say that you can not use VCB in a VM for a LAN free backup with fibre channel storage:

"Yes, VCB can be installed in VM, but you can not use it for LAN free backups with FC storage, so you are limited to iSCSI SAN backups or nbd backups (via service console of ESX servers)."

My intention was to point out that in fact, you can do LAN free FC based backups with a VCB VM, by utilizing hotadd mode, which is covered in the Virtual Machine Backup Guide. Just make sure you take in to consideration the amount of load (specifically disk based), you will be adding to the ESX host, by running the backups in a VM.

Let me know if you need any further information.

Cheers!






There are 10 types of people in this world. Those who understand binary, and those who do not.

There are 10 types of people in this world. Those who understand binary, and those who do not.
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vmw-sfraser
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

In regards to your second question, you can attach a raw SCSI device to a VM. However, at this point there are no certified Fibre Channel tape devices/libraries on the HCL.

Tape units directly attached to an Adaptec 29320 SCSI card generally work well, and are supported.






There are 10 types of people in this world. Those who understand binary, and those who do not.

There are 10 types of people in this world. Those who understand binary, and those who do not.
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