ESX 4 host backups to tape

[Bootrix2]

I'm looking for a solution for vSphere that allows me to backup VMs and/or files from VMs directly to tape.

1 vSphere host with 2 VMs

Goal: Backup the vms directly to tape attached through SAS to the vSphere host.

Before I was doing this with BackupExec installed and the SCSI device added to the VM.

With the changes to vSphere I can no longer do this and hardware doesn't support VMDirectPath.

I understand running 3.5 but I need to move forward and find a new solution. Preferably not Acronis either as it's a bit on the pricey side.

[AndreTheGiant]

Also without VMDirectPath could work.

If you power-off the VM with the backup software, can you add the SCSI Device that match to your tape?

If yes, then install BE as on a physical server.

If no, check first if you see the tape from BIOS.

Andre

[Bootrix2]

Example.

I installed vSphere on a new machine with a SAS LTO4 drive.

I create and configure a Windows 2008 SBS or even 2003 doesn't matter at this point VM.

In that VM I add a SCSI device which is my tape drive on the correct channel reflecting its BIOS configuration.

The Backup program, in this case Backup Exec 12.5 sees the drive and installs the appropiate drivers.

I can run an Inventory job but I can not write to it. Sometimes Labels work, sometimes not.

Much akin to this thread http://communities.vmware.com/thread/232109

His fix was VMWareDirectPath, I do not have this option.

So I figure I'm SOL with the BE12.5 vSphere route and I'll have to find another product that can acheive backups on the host directly to tape.

[AndreTheGiant]

With ESX 4.0 could be difficult to make it work... I know serveral cases where a VM with a "local" tape does not work.

Are you using a dedicated virtual SCSI card in your VM? Only for the tape?

Andre

[Bootrix2]

Yes that's correct. It's an td100x Lenovo box with a dedicated LSI Sas card.

[AndreTheGiant]

I mean also on the VM side... Have you assigned to the tape a SCSI ID like 1,x to have a different virtual controller?

Andre

[Bootrix2]

In the SCSI device's properties. I've tried changing it to different channels.