Best backup system or data recovery system?

[Andrew800]

What is the best or most commonly used backup/restore system for a vSphere environment using iSCSI shared storage?

[vmroyale]

Note: Discussion successfully moved from VMware vCenter™ to Backup & Recovery

Do you currently have any backup software in your environment?

[Andrew800]

Not yet.

[ch1ta]

We are using image-based solution called Veeam Backup and Replication in our environment. So far, so good.

Among other interesting product features, there is one specific VB&R option regarding ISCSI storage that needs to be mentioned – Direct SAN access. Your backup/proxy server can be configured such a way, so that, VM's virtual disks data can be directly retrieved from production storage over ISCSI.

The aforesaid method provides us with completely LAN-free data retrieval mechanis that does not affect our production ESX(i) hosts or our management network.

Thanks.

[JLackman]

Well, "best" is a sure way to start a vigorous discussion, but here are a few things to check into.

1. VDP - VMware Data Protection. I think this is included with all licenses (Standard, Enterprise, Enterprise +) in 5.1 anyhow.  It's available as an appliance, or as an install. It's pretty robust. It can back up 8 at a time, and you can add more VDPs for capacity. This is what we're using.
   1. License comparisons http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/vsphere_pricing.pdf 
   2. vDP  http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=2016565
2. VEEAM (mentioned above) is also a great product. It now comes packaged with FastSCP, which used to be a separate VEEAM product but is now included in the VEAAM free backup suite. Fast SCP is supposed to be 6x faster than other SCP utilities.
3. Unitrends also has a robust backup appliance with a free version. I think the free version does 4 VMs like VEEAM does. http://www.unitrends.com/unitrends-enterprise-backup/download

Hope this helps.

JL

Message was edited by: JLackman - minor grammar update

[Andrew800]

Thanks for the input JLackman and ch1ta.  I don't see a clear place to get the virtual appliance.  It keeps saying it is included but I looked on the vSphere installation disc and I don't see anything related to vDP.  Is there a link to where I can download the free appliance?

Also, just so you're aware, our environment is using an iSCSI shared storage system.  Although I haven't read up on the vDP yet, are there any recommendations or best-practices you can provide with regard to using vDP in this type of environment that would include moving or transferring data backups offsite for diaster recovery?  [In other words, we use tapes in the regular office datacenter and this, obviously, is a new type of datacenter setup that would use a much different approach to data backups and restoration.]

[JLackman]

Andrew;

If you're logged into myvmware (and I think you are to post here), you should be able to download it here; VMware vSphere 5: Private Cloud Computing, Server and Data Center Virtualization

It's just a .ova you import.

As for offsite or tape backup, I don't think vDP supports this out of the box. I think I have seen several threads and blog posts objecting to this design. I think that VMware wants you to buy vCOPs Replication licensing to handle DR type scenarios.

I'd suggest checking out the VEEAM and/or UNITRENDS solutions; they might allow better offsite or tape options.

JL

[Andrew800]

Thanks for the info.  I'll look into this right away.