VCB vs Acronis True Image

[TechInNeedmm]

Just looking for the general concensus of these two and what the majority are using.

VMWARE states that it supports and validates VCB (Obviously) as well as Symantec,etc.

I have 2 ESX 3.0.2 Update 1 servers talking to an AX150i

Looking for a solution to take total VM backups LIVE for fast recovery to the other ESX box (Virtual) or to a separate box physically.

I also want the obvious file level backups as well.

I know both support both, but what are the majority here using and any experiences, thoughts and suggestions?

[TechInNeedmm]

I will state the obvious that I am running ESX VI3 std edition

I am in the process of downloading True Image Echo Enterprise Server to evaluate.

[Osm3um]

I think that ESXPress does a sort of sync/backup as well. I know it states it does file level restore, but I have never messed with it. One good thing is it is licensed per ESX host.

Are you happy with your AX150i? I have been using one for 1.5 years and only had one issue (the tech support sucked....). We have around 10 clients (Exchange, Sharepoint, DC, file share, SQL etc) on ours with 2 ESX servers with 65 users.

I have also heard good things about "Doubletake" but have not messed with it.

Bob

[scerazy]

VCB vs Acronis True Image is like Apples vs Oranges

Both are fruits & they both good

VCB is nightmare, Acronis at thousand bucks is relatively expensive

For file level backup I would be using existing solution (you have one, right?)

So I would go for eXpress (as in the simplest version it is completly FREE)

Just my 2 cents

Seb

[TechInNeedmm]

Osm3um

I will be testing out ESXpress in the upcoming days.

Acronis is 1000 per VM....so that means, in my case, 5 licenses for my servers. That is a heck of a lot especially if there are software out there that are free like the suggested.

I have, 5 VMs talking to a AX150i.

2 DC's, Exchange, WSUS/AV, Fileserver.

We do not use resource hungry applications like SQL etc. I am happy so far with it.

Glad to see that someone else out there is saying good things about my purchase

Thanks for the feedback.

[TechInNeedmm]

thanks for the feedback...will test ESXPRESS tonight or tomorrow.

[RParker]

> Acronis is 1000 per VM....so that means, in my case, 5 licenses for my servers.

One of the primary reasons we didn't choose Acronis. The management tools are also a joke.. they are flaky and they don't work, and Acronis has some problems with some RAID cards. Also I take exception to having to do my own configuration to make to bootable via the BART PE, that's like doing my own work. not a very polished product if you ask me.

[TechInNeedmm]

I am in the process of preparing to install the two RPM files on my ESX host to test ESXPress.

Judging by the MANY posts in here, a lot of people are happy with this product.

Quick Question: Documentation does not state that a reboot is required. Is it?

As simple as installing the two RPM files and then connecting to the VM that does the managment of the Backup via VIC?

Thanks for your response.

[petedr · Accepted solution]

Hey TechinNeedmm,

I work for the company that makes esXpress and thanks for evaluating our product. To answer your first question a host reboot is NOT necessary.

Once you install the two rpms ( one is the VBA itself and the other is the small management agent on the host that starts and stops VBAs ) you need to do one step in the service console before you can launch the configuration GUI accessible from VIC. You need to tell esXpress which vmfs the VBAs will reside on. You do this using the phd menu. There is an installation guide on our web site which goes through the steps. Also a note if you are running esx 3.5 our gui does not start and all configuration needs to be done through the phd menu. Backups should work fine though for 3.5.

Pete@esxpress

[Osm3um]

I don't mean to imply that ESXPress is perfect: It works with ESX 3.5 but does have a couple issues they are working on which should be fixed shortly, the free version works great but is limited by speed after about 30 days etc. BUT it works well enough for us that we ponied up the cash without hesitation.

It is kind of a weird product (in a good way) in that once you get it setup you just forget about it.

Bob

[TechInNeedmm]

petedr

Thanks for replying. Wow, getting help and feedback from an actual rep from ESXPress. That is very comforting. Yes, I am in the process of reviewing the installation documentation and will be doing this ronight. Reason why I asked if a reboot is required, as this is the production environment and therefore, downtime is not an option

I am running ESX 3.0.2 Update 1, so what u stated should be non issues for me.

Osm3um

Thanks again, i will post back with my results after installation and performing at least 1 backup of one of my VMs, I may even try a restore, depending how fast ESXPress backs up 30 Gigs. Dont expect it to take long at all.

Thanks guys. Really apprecaite the speedy responses.

[TechInNeedmm]

Well ran an backup last night of a 20 gig VM (compressed to 6 gigs in total - for Delta and Full) and left it overnight to perform an additional one automatically. Two phd files in both backup folder VMs now.

Question:

It states to perform a Delta restore of the file rather than a Full backup. So in essence, I should always indicate, the restoration process to point to the Delta file and then point it to the full *.vmdk files?

I will be grabbing the backup files on (example) "LUN-Backup" and then pointing to restore it to that same LUN, this is just for testing. Are there any issues in doing this? After which this time, all I have to do is reconfigure the *.vmx files to point to the new location (LUN-Backup)? Then start up the VM and there is my new duplicate copy of a backed up VM?

Man, if it that easy, I will definiately fork over the cash for added features like speed, as 13mb/sec was too slow.

Thanks again.

Should I be posting this in the esXpress forums?

[khughes]

If you post it on their support forums, you usually get a response back pretty quick so thats your best bet. I know Pete trolls the boards here but your best bet is to ask the questions there.

[petedr]

Thanks again for evaluation, yes for further questions/issues you should post them on the esXpress board or you can contact our support/sales group, the information is on our web site.

Even with a full backup, which you did on your first backup esXpress creates an empty delta file ( contains vmx and other backup info ). For restores it is better to restore using a Delta but you can use the Full as well. When you do the restore you can restore to the current location ( where the backup came from ) and in this case you should be able to turn the VM on or to a different location where you would have to point the VM to that vmdk after the restore. Also if the speeds aren't what you are looking for contact our support group and we can take a look.

Pete@esxpress

[ejward]

I'm not sure if somebody else cleared this up yet but, VCB and True Image (Or any backup software) are two different animals. VCB doesn't do backups. It really is just a tool to let other backup software access VM's across fiber rather than across the network. Even if you implement VCB, you still have to buy backup software be it Acronis, Symantec, Etc.

[TechInNeedmm]

Thanks for responding so quickly pete, I have started posting over there. Thanks for clearing that up. The way the questions are dealt from a supportive end, is exceptional. A good way to start off the eval process of this prodcut

Thanks again

[TechInNeedmm]

Yes, a previous poster cleared it up for me.

Thanks for clarifying.

Well, if I do in fact settle with esXpress (looks very promising), I also will be probably looking at an upgrade to my Windows based backup agents of Symantec (forgot what version is supported) for Full, incremental and file level backups etc at the Windows level.

Is this what many others have done? That is, use a Full VM backup DR solution and well, obvioulsy, a Windows based backup solution as "treat your VM environment just like it is a physical environment" still applies?

[TechInNeedmm]

Forgot to comment on this but, yes i do agree that the Acronis software and GUI that i tested was flaky as well. But once I got it working, it worked. Just leading up to it was somewhat of a pain.

[ejward]

Do you do a lot of file level restores on VM's? The reason I ask is that VCB is geared more towards file level backups anyway. There's no need for an agent on each VM. It defeats the purpose of using VCB.

I haven't really used ESXpress but have used Vranger (Vizioncore). It does and image of a VM in conjunction with VCB and can also do a file level restore if needed. It's not meant for file-level restores but, it will do it if needed. I very rarley get a request for a single file restore on a VM.

[TechInNeedmm]

That's the thing, I don't really get requests for file level restores as well.

I have ESX std edition which does not include VCB.

So what you use for DR and backup is vRanger to backup mainly at the VM level and with file level backup features?