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akatombo
Contributor
Contributor

How do I backup VMs with Networker client in ESX service console, not using VCB?

I have a single ESX 3.0.1 box, with all VMs on Direct Attached Storage. No SAN, so no VCB.

Right now, I have the CA Brightstor Arcserve Linux client installed in the ESX service console. When I run a backup from the Arcserve server, the client makes a temporary snapshot, backs up the VM files, then commits the snapshot when it's done. It's all good.

For reasons outside my control, I am now compelled to replace Arcserve with EMC Legato Networker. I installed the "legato-networker-addon" package, then the Networker client. So far, so good.

Here's my question: how do I tell the Networker client to make a snapshot before the backup, then commit the snapshot after the backup?

There seems to be no documentation on this anywhere. CA has a 19 page PDF on backing up ESX hosts, with a big section on running their Linux client in the service console. EMC & VMware have zip, zilch, nada Smiley Sad

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4 Replies
RParker
Immortal
Immortal

Have you tried calling the company? This doesn't sound like an ESX, VM Ware, or a SC problem at all, its totally the restriction of the product you are using. I would call them.

Not to mention the name "Networker" doesn't sound like it supports VMFS only backups.........

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akatombo
Contributor
Contributor

Per the VMware Backup Software Compatibility guide, it's supported. Networker and VMware are both EMC products.

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depping
Leadership
Leadership

I would say create pre- and post-backup scripts for the esx hosts which uses vmware-cmd -l to list all the vm's registered on this hosts, set them into snapshot mode and removes the snapshot with the post script when done.

Duncan

akatombo
Contributor
Contributor

Thanks, Duncan. Along with some posts in other threads, your tip about vmware-cmd helped me back up a guest VM the way I wanted. My next step is a test restore next week, wish me luck;-)

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