How to backup virtual machines on ESXi ( Free version)

Hi,

depends on whether you have purchased VCB option. If you have the VCB option then you can use backup software like CA arcserve, backup exec with the VCB integration modules.

CA ARCserve has a very good integration with VCB and runs backups great.

If you want to use free utilities then this post on vmware communities will be of good help

http://communities.vmware.com/thread/164134?tstart=0

if you want to discuss about the backup solutions please check what CA arcserve has to offer, but remember all the backup solutions use VCB and for you to get VCB option purchased from VMware and also budget for the backup software.

http://www.ca.com/files/TechnicalDocuments/vmware_best_practice_guide.pdf

bhanu

Since you're using ESXi Free version, your backup solutions are rather limited. Your best bet would be to

1. Download the VMs from the datastore
a. Log into your ESX host via VI client
b. Highlight the host on the left pane, click on the Summary tab on the right
c. Right click the datastore that hosts your VMs under the Resources section and select Browe datastore...
d. Right click the VM folder and select Download...
e. Choose a destination to save the VM folder and click OK
Note: Make sure your VM is powered down before doing this

2. Use VMware vCenter Converter
a. Download and install VMware vCenter Converter on a workstation that can communicate with your ESXi host (ping) - http://www.vmware.com/download/converter/
b. Launch Converter and click Convert Machine
c. Choose VMware Infrastructure Virtual Machine and apply credentials to access your ESXi host
d. Either keep the disk sizes or modify according to your needs
e. For the destination, selecting Virtual Appliance would be the most straight forward approach, but you can choose Other Virtual Machine to save to a file share. The difference is that if you convert your VM to a virtual appliance (that's stored on the network), you'll be restoring through VI client. If you choose Other Virtual Machine, you'll use Converter to restore the VM back to your ESX server. Pick your poison and complete the wizard.

Thank you for your reply, as i am using free version of ESXi, i haven't got VCB. Because of small budget we dont want to buy VC in order to use VCB.

I have seen software called Veeam.

http://veeam.com/vmware-esx-backup.html

When it comes to restore i need ESX ( paid version) and also need VCB.

I am looking for a software ( £300 -£350 range) which can take back up copy of virtual machines without VCB.

hi,

better use vrangerpro from vizoncore for backup and restore. it has the integration module of VCB if you want to but it does not need it.

it is priced some where 200-300 pounds

bhanu

Does Vranger pro support free ESXi?

Have a look at this thread: http://communities.vmware.com/thread/164134?tstart=0

hi,

We are hitting a road block with all the backup solutions as all of them are integrated with either VCB or they are otherwise require virtual center.

Though vrangerpro supports backup of esxi but it does it via the virtual center which would you cost more than 1000 pounds.

the best is to install the RCLI tools on a windows machine. check this post

http://communities.vmware.com/thread/162418

the options given are the best possible for a esxi machine

bhanu

Vranger will not support ESXi until early first quarter of 2009.  It was supposed to be released this quarter but per my conversation with the guys over there they need to work out some bugs they found in the beta.  The cost will probably be about $500 per socket as most of their software.

Since Vranger does backups via the console they're doing a major rewrite of the software.

what about Veeam? Has anyone tried with free ESXi?

http://veeam.com/vmware-esx-backup.html

give it a shot. It doesn't have a lot of the features that other software packages have but basic backups it should do the job.  

Just checked it:

"ESXi support - Veeam Backup 2.0 features limited support for ESXi servers through VCB. You can now back up ESXi servers using the VCB option in the backup wizard"

This means that you would need Virtual Center to run VCB which means Veeam is not an option unless you purchase Virtual Center.

hi vikram,

if you check your post you have confirmed that veeam requires VCB. I was not sure why you have asked the same question again.

please check the alternate methods that i have posted in my earlier posts.

If you want to use free utilities then this post on vmware communities will be of good help

http://communities.vmware.com/thread/164134?tstart=0

Though vrangerpro supports backup of esxi but it does it via the virtual center which would you cost more than 1000 pounds.

the best is to install the RCLI tools on a windows machine. check this post

http://communities.vmware.com/thread/162418

the options given are the best possible for a esxi machine


bhanu

Thanks for reply. What are the options available with Virtual Center? Would i be able to use VRanger Pro? Would I need VCB in order to use VRanger Pro? Thanks