Why use a third party back up over VCB and VDR

[theblackknight]

Im considering going using PHD by eSxpress, but I would like to know what advantages I would be gaining in stead of just using VCB and VDR?

[dragooner]

Hi,knight.As you know,the VCB is free for used,but it only supports fully backup.VDR supports more function,just like Differences backup,but it needs advanced license,ENT,ENT plus. One thing you must pay attention,VCB and VDR only can backup VMs.

If you buy a third party Backup software,you do not only backup ESX,you also could backup other application,just like DB,file or any others.

The third party backup software supplys you can do all the backup job in one environment.

[theblackknight]

I still see no need to purchase a product like PHD when you have VDR built in as part of your licensing...

[AntonVZhbankov]

>I still see no need to purchase a product like PHD when you have VDR built in as part of your licensing...

If you do not see need - maybe there is no need for your environment. VDR has very limited functionality and not suitable for my environment because:

1) I have more than 100 VMs, and I definitely don't want to maintain 2-3-4-5 VDR's.

2) Exact time to start backup can not be set on VDR.

3) Veeam (my favorite) can backup VMs directly over FC

4) Veeam can do also replication and I use it for site disaster recovery purposes

5) VDR before 1.2 was pretty unstable product

To summarize all above: VDR is a simple backup product for small environments. If you have special needs or your environment is bigger than 200 VMs - 3rd party backup solution is much better.

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MCITP: SA+VA, VCP 3/4, VMware vExpert

http://blog.vadmin.ru

[RParker]

I still see no need to purchase a product like PHD when you have VDR built in as part of your licensing...

You probably see no need for internet on your phone either, or pay 50 bucks a month for broadband when dial-up is less than half the cost either..

UNTIL you want to use either one. THEN you will see the difference.

Try VDR, see how easy it is to setup, how limited it is for backup, and you can't control how many backups. There are MANY other reasons, but use VDR, then you will plainly see why 3rd party backups are better.

[RParker]

The third party backup software supplys you can do all the backup job in one environment.

That might apply for Veeam, or Vizioncore but definitely NOT PHD. Thats why we switched from PHD, they don't have central management of ALL backups in one place.