VMWare Virtual file backups

[wardog25]

We have 2 ESX 3.5 hosts with VMs stored on a SAN.

We use Netbackup as our backup software.

Are there ways to set up the VMWare host so that our backup server can just copy the VM files as if it is copying from a normal file system? Or is that not possible?

We are just trying to figure out how to get VM file backups for as low a cost as possible.

Thanks.

 

[Roadki11]

You cant just grab the files as they are in use. We use vRanger, not very expensive and works real well.

RoadKi11

"This apparent fear reaction is typical, rather than try to solve technical problems technically, policy solutions are often chosen." - Fred Cohen

 

[wardog25]

Yeah, I was thinking about possibly downing the VMs once a week to backup the VM files.

Does vRanger backup VM files while they are active?

 

[Roadki11]

Yes, vRanger backs the VM's up while they are on or off.

RoadKi11

"This apparent fear reaction is typical, rather than try to solve technical problems technically, policy solutions are often chosen." - Fred Cohen

 

[wardog25]

how much cheaper is it than the VMware route?

 

[needcoffee]

You can just copy the files out of the VMFS datastore by using the ESX console but where are you copying the file to? How will you copy them back for restore? Do you have RDM volumes running in physical mode?


Check out Veeam. Cost was not high (license per host socket not # of guest) and can backup running & shutdown guests. Can backup files in VMFS but not RDM in physical mode. Restore is the easiest I've used.

needcoffee