Backup of vCenter Server

we use a product that does the backup of all guests including vCenter
veeam is a good one to use; we might be switching to that since our current product is being discontinued

"we use a product that does the backup of all guests including vCenter"
what is that product?'

"veeam is a good one to use;"

I heard about that before.

but the point is , no built-in backup tools from VMware ?

vCenter Server is an application which installs on Windows OS.

So you backup the VM and SQL database just like you would any virtual machine.

There is a version called VCSA based on Linux, so again you backup the virtual machine.

but the point is , no built-in backup tools from VMware ?

VMware does have a backup product called VDP. - VMware Data Protection which is now end of life.

hi,

"VMware does have a backup product called VDP. - VMware Data Protection which is now end of life."

any other product to replace it?

"vCenter Server is an application which installs on Windows OS."

you mean I backup the whole box which has the vCenter installed together with OS ?

you mean I backup the whole box which has the vCenter installed together with OS ?

Yes that's correct.

see here

http://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere/data-protection.html

in our company. recovery of vCenter is reinstall eveything, how come ?

"Yes that's correct."

so this is the whole windows system backup ?

how about backup individual ESXI host ? also backup the whole windows ?

Just recover and restore, vCenter Server from backups.

Configuration of a host can be backed up.

andrew,

"vCenter Server from backups"

are you referring to an item/option from windows backup which is called vCenter ?

"Configuration of a host can be backed up."

what you mean here is we only need to backup each VM host's configuration, then how can we recover each VM host by restoring host's configuration only ?

Seth Simmons,

then you will keep staying with that backup and not going to find an replacement for that?

are you referring to an item/option from windows backup which is called vCenter ?

No I mean you use a virtual machine aware backup application like Veeam Backup and Replication, Backup the Virtual Machine and Restore it.

what you mean here is we only need to backup each VM host's configuration, then how can we recover each VM host by restoring host's configuration only ?

Backup the Host configuration file, and then re-install the Host ESXi software, and restore the configuration file.

andrew,

"Backup the Host configuration file, and then re-install the Host ESXi software, and restore the configuration file.


ok, then the host ESXI will have all configuration back you mean by starting from an empty EXSI host ?

"http://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere/data-protection.html?ClickID=bgn1gllmges61d6y66ffsselldmdugyggqel"

are you using this from EMC?

ok, then the host ESXI will have all configuration back you mean by starting from an empty EXSI host ?

Correct, not it is open to debate, as to which is quickest

1. Backup configuration, re-install new virgin ESXi, and restore configuration.

or

2. Re-install ESXi, and reconfigure from your documentation. (does not take long 15 minutes)

see here

https://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2042141

"see here

https://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2042141"

sorry that link shows nothing related to that.

tks.

so  conclusion here is, use backup tools that is VM Aware to back it up such as Veem or
http://www.databasejournal.com/features/mssql/article.php/3744521/SQL-Server-2005-Express-Edition---Part-22---Upgrading-from-Microsoft-SQL-Server-Desktop-Engine-MSDE.htm

right?

and we can also has an option to backup the EXSi host configuration so that we can easily create the ExSi back, right ?

tks all