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areeb1988
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VCenter Backup

Hello,

According to the “Backing up and restoring vCenter Server 4.x and 5.0” article in the VMware  knowledge Base I should do the following:

  1. Stop the VMware VirtualCenter Service, VMwareVCMSDS, and the Database service.
  2. Back up the vCenter Server database.
  3. Backup the SSL certificate folder

But when I use the Backup EXEC to backup the VCenter Should I stop the services??? Because the Backup Exec backing up the database.

Regards

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chriswahl
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Correct. The Backup Exec agent is responsible for quiescing (temporarily halting IO) the database so that it can copy the data.

Here are some best practices from Symantec: http://www.symantec.com/docs/HOWTO74429

VCDX #104 (DCV, NV) ஃ WahlNetwork.com ஃ @ChrisWahl ஃ Author, Networking for VMware Administrators

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maishsk
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Welcome to the Forums - the thread has been moved to a more relevant location.

When backing up your vCenter server - almost all of the information you have is stored in your database - and not on the server itself (unless the DB is local to the vCenter)

If your BackupExec can snapshot the Database - and create a consistent backup - then you do not need to stop the services and if not then you will need to stop the services to backup the vCenter DB.

What usually is done is that your DBA either creates a periodic dump (backup) of the DB and that is backed up with your Backup software.

Maish

VMTN Moderator | vExpert

Author of VMware vSphere Design

@maishsk | My Blog

Maish Saidel-Keesing • @maishsk • http://technodrone.blogspot.com • VMTN Moderator • vExpert • Co-author of VMware vSphere Design
areeb1988
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The Database is local on the VCenter Server (SQL Express), and the Backup EXEC has SQL agent so i think ia can backup the VCenter DB without stopping any service, is this Right???

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chriswahl
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Correct. The Backup Exec agent is responsible for quiescing (temporarily halting IO) the database so that it can copy the data.

Here are some best practices from Symantec: http://www.symantec.com/docs/HOWTO74429

VCDX #104 (DCV, NV) ஃ WahlNetwork.com ஃ @ChrisWahl ஃ Author, Networking for VMware Administrators
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areeb1988
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Dear,

According to Backup the SSL certificate folder, does it backed up with the VCenter Server ?

Many thanks

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BharatR
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Hi,


According to Backup the SSL certificate folder, does it backed up with the VCenter Server ?



When taking the backup of VCenter Server select the path which is given below.

Here is the kb Article http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1023985 for Backing up and restoring vCenter Server 4.x and 5.0


  1. Backup the SSL certificate folder at:

    • Windows 2003: %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\VMware\VMware  VirtualCenter
    • Windows Vista and 2008 Server: %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\VMWare\VMware  VirtualCenter


Best regards, BharatR--VCP4-Certification #: 79230, If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".