backing up VMFS with legato networker

[mjb68]

HI all,

I'm trying to backup /vmfs on an ESX 3.0.2 server using legato networker 7.2.

I can backup succesfully the rest of the ESX machine, but trying to bakcup /vmfs I get:

* sequana:+<span class="moz-txt-tag">/vmfs save: Warning inode number changed for /vmfs/devices<span class="moz-txt-tag">/+ may not be recoverable
* sequana:+<span class="moz-txt-tag">/vmfs save: Warning inode number changed for /vmfs/volumes<span class="moz-txt-tag">/+ may not be recoverable
  sequana: /vmfs                    level=full,      2 KB 00:00:02      4 files
  gig: index:sequana                level=full,   6801 KB 00:00:12     15 files

what can I do ?

thanks

[jccoca]

Hi,

Seems that it is not supported

http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_backup_guide.pdf

[mjb68]

yes...I see...

Any other useful ideas about backup ?

Generaly I back-up the v-machines with their own (networker) client, but a couple of days ago a vmachine-flat.vmdk "disappeared" from /vmfs (still investigating how/why), so I was wondering what could I do to avoid this ?

(except reinstall vmachine and download everything from vmachine backup)

[jccoca]

You can use any of the supported clients at the service console level.

You can use consolidated backup.

Or you can export the disks to another location with scripts.

[mjb68]

>You can use any of the supported clients at the service console level.

>You can use consolidated backup.

Management dows not want to pay for soething else (no blame on me...)

>Or you can export the disks to another location with scripts.

what dou you mean ?

thanks again

[jccoca]

You can do scripts at console level to add snapshots and then export disk with vmkfstools or vcbExport

[petedr]

Hey mjb68,

If you are looking for a free solution for backing up Virtual Machines an option could be my company's free version of esXpress. It will give you Full VM backups. The backups run in a Virtual Backup Appliance (VBA).

pete@esxpress

[scerazy]

petedr is right, best free solution around

Seb

[wizoot]

Hi,

You just have to set rhe parameter 'save command' to 'save -x' to specify the client to cross filesystem.

[kennygno]

Hi,

I'm using ESX 3.5 and trying to backup the VMs through the service console with Legato Networker 7.2. I already installed the backup enabler.

First the backup stopped after a few seconds with the message 'Warning inode number changed....'. After I set the save-command to 'save -x' the complete 60GB were saved but I still got the error message...Any idea?

[kennygno]

Sorry for the duplicate. Got an error message 'Thread not available' and thought I have to repost.

Message was edited by: kennygno