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VM Backup exec agent, space requirement

Hi guys,

I want to backup a VM using the Backup Exec 2010 agent. But I need to know how much space it needs.

I tried it with our mail-server but it crashed it. Does it create a local snapshot then copy it over. Or is it a normal shadow copy?

THanks

SOLUTION

Paul Solovyovsky

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Manpreet SIngh Khatra

Is this what your looking for

How to backup VMware Virtual Machines (VM) on ESX 3.02/3.5 servers using Backup Exec Windows Server (BEWS) 12.5 Agent for VMware Virtual Infrastructure (AVVI).
http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH63805

TechTip: Backup for VMware Virtual Infrastructure using Backup Exec 12.5
http://www.symantec.com/connect/articles/techtip-backup-vmware-virtual-infrastructure-using-backup-exec-125

- Rancy

liminal

ASKER

Great info paulsolov, thanks

But really the core of what I want to know is; How much free space does VMware need to back up using the VMware agent? 10% 20%, does it create a local snapshot and copy it down ie 100%.

Thanks

liminal

ASKER

So paulsolov, when you say do both. Are you saying, take a VM snapshop once a week and then just take the information store during the week days? Not much is going to change on a mail server week to week, other then the information store I'm guessing.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Paul Solovyovsky

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liminal

ASKER

Oh ok, SO it puts the base VMKD in read only mode? ie mail will go down when the back up is being done?

Paul Solovyovsky

incorrect. VMware snapshots keep the VM live. When a snapshot s taken a delta vmdk is created and any data gets written to it. When the backup is deleted the snapshot "delta" vmdk gets consolidated with the base vmdk. No downtime is incurred.

liminal

ASKER

Ok you threw me with the "The backup takes a VM snapshot which basically makes the base VMDK read only,"

Ok sounds great, thanks so much for your help