backup solution for the free version of VMware
i am looking for a solution to backup the vm machines running on the free workstation version. there is a snapshot feature but the preference is a snapshot type solution either script or otherwise.
hot backups are preferred however if necessary we will suspend the VM during the backup.
thank you.
hot backups are preferred however if necessary we will suspend the VM during the backup.
thank you.
michote
Hot backups, are not recommended you'll probably get a junk backup. You will need to get the machine offline. Copy or backup the files on the VMware virtual machine folder. Bring the machine back up. The snapshots are on the fly but I am pretty sure the free version is limited to one. If you want more you need the paid version.
are you using VMWares data storage files or Pysical Drives.?
ASKER
i see - thanks. would you by any chance know if there is a script for taking the machine off/online for backup?
The free version of worksation player only works with VM machines. Not drives.
You need to install the Vmtools. They have some scripting components that allow you to do this. But this is in the free SERVER version. I am not sure the Player version (which I assume you are using) allows this.
http://www.vmware.com/download/server/
http://www.vmware.com/download/server/
Vmtools are installed on the guest.
Isnt suspended the machine then coping that VM file to the backup space in folders of dates and option?
Support for VIX API 1.6: This feature provides a programming interface for automating virtual machine and guest operations.
This is the thing I am talking about. It is an API that basically allows you to automate this. If I remember correctly it was in perl.
BTW go for the 1.x series the 2.x series is really slow. And requires like 500megas to run (before any vmachine is loaded) I still using the 1.x series because of this.
This is the thing I am talking about. It is an API that basically allows you to automate this. If I remember correctly it was in perl.
BTW go for the 1.x series the 2.x series is really slow. And requires like 500megas to run (before any vmachine is loaded) I still using the 1.x series because of this.
ASKER
hi Benji,
i am using VMware server.
i am using VMware server.
ASKER
"suspending the machine then coping that VM file to a backup destination" is def an option.
but needs to be automated/unattended.
but needs to be automated/unattended.
If you are already on server, you are set. You just need to install the API (it is not installed by default) run the installer again and choose the option.
i cant rember if there is a script to suspend and unsuspend at cetrain times, but u could use a bat to do the file copy
That will give you access to write scripts for what you want to do.
The options you need on the installer are
Client Componets
VMware VmCOM scripting API
VMware VmPerl scripting API
Programming API (experimental)
Depending on what you want to write your script on.
Client Componets
VMware VmCOM scripting API
VMware VmPerl scripting API
Programming API (experimental)
Depending on what you want to write your script on.
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ASKER
looks like vmware-cmd will do the trick!
C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Server>vmware-cmd /?
got this from
http://www.petri.co.il/virtual_script_startup_shutdown_vmware_servers.htm
thank you all.
C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Server>vmware-cmd /?
got this from
http://www.petri.co.il/virtual_script_startup_shutdown_vmware_servers.htm
thank you all.