vm vmdk backups

[sdewar83]

Hi,

What is the benefit of using something like PHD Virtual Backup 4.0 for VMware ESX?

Why would you use such a product, rather than just backup/copy the vmdk file ?

Sorry if its a silly question.

Regards,

Simon

[FranckRookie]

Hi Simon,

It's always the same question: "why should I pay for a product that just makes file copies?".

Because most backup solutions do not just do file copies! Depending on the software you choose, there are many features you can't have with a simple vmdk copy script you can build yourself. For example, you can do incremental backups, restore a single file inside a VM, deduplicate your backup storage pool, etc.

So choosing between a home made script or a commercial product for a backup solution depends on your needs. But the more VM you have in production, the quickest you'll see that you definitely need a real backup tool.

Good luck.

Regards

Franck

[Cyberfed27]

I find it quick and easy to copy VM's to a SAN drive from where I can backup to tape if needed.

Unless you have hundreds of VM's you need to backup on a regular basis. I just do it without 3rd party apps.

My .2 cents.

[petedr]

Simon,

If you have any questions on PHD Virtual backup solutions you can always email me or private message me.

Also our next generation product PDHVB 5.1 is planned to be released by the end of the month.

Pete@PHD Virtual

www.phdvirtual.com, makers of PHD Virtual Backup for Vmware and Xen Server, formally esXpress

[AndreTheGiant]

To copy the vmdk you have to power-off the VM (or make a snap) and then other manually operation.

Backup product can take backup of live VM, and in most cases can also handle some applications consistency. In some cases you can also do granular restore... And so on...

Andre

[sdewar83]

is there vm backup software which will backup directly to tape drive?

Or, what is the best way to backup vm's to tape drive

Or do you just schedule an outage and powerdown vm's and backup vmdk's to tape using netbackup or whathaveyou

and i know its not really related but do you guys have any advice on decent non-vm backup software for tape drives, be licenced or shareware/freeware? Or do you just NTbackup?

[idle-jam]

Those Netbackup and etc, but with integration of VADP (vstorage API for data protection). It will backup the image level via LAN free to the tape.

iDLE-jAM | VCP 2, VCP 3 & VCP 4

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