Backing Up VMware Virtual Machines in Hot-Add Mode

This use case describes the steps involved in backing up VMware Virtual Machines in Hot-Add mode.

Choose from the following topics:

Introduction
Requirements
Before You Begin
How to Configure VMware Virtual Server Hot-Add Mode
Important Considerations

Introduction

In the most common configuration for disk-level backups, the Virtual Server iDataAgent for VMware is installed on a separate physical computer containing the VMware Consolidated Backup (VCB) and VMware Converter software (this computer is referred to as the VCB proxy in this document). An alternative method to this configuration is utilizing the VMware Virtual Server Hot-Add mode. This method uses a virtual machine on the ESX server as the VCB proxy rather than a separate physical computer. When implemented, several benefits are provided:

The virtual VCB proxy can access all data on the ESX Server directly. This eliminates the need to transfer the backup data across a network, which in turn reduces network resource usage and operation time.
The virtual VCB proxy can be backed up and restored in the same manner as the other virtual machines on the ESX Server.

Requirements

Review the following requirements before utilizing the VMware Virtual Server Hot-Add Mode feature:

A separate virtual VCB proxy must be created on each ESX server in the environment.
A helper virtual machine must also be created for each virtual VCB proxy. The helper virtual machine assists the virtual VCB proxy during data protection and recovery operations.
Each virtual VCB proxy must have the Virtual Server iDataAgent installed.
Each virtual VCB proxy can only protect data residing on its parent ESX server.
The virtual VCB proxy must be running for any data protection operations to be performed.

Before You Begin

Ensure that the VMware environment satisfies the requirements specified in System Requirements - Virtual Server iDataAgent.
A full understanding of the following subjects will prove helpful:
- Backup - Virtual Server
- Restore Data - Virtual Server

How to Configure VMware Virtual Server Hot-Add Mode

The following procedure describes the steps in utilizing the VMware Virtual Server Hot-Add Mode feature.

Create a Virtual VCB Proxy
1.	Create a virtual VCB proxy for each ESX Server. The memory, disk space, and resources configured for each virtual VCB proxy should be comparable to the physical VCB proxy that would otherwise be used.
Create a Helper Virtual Machine
2.	Create a helper virtual machine for each virtual VCB proxy. The helper virtual machine should be given the same name as the virtual VCB proxy appended with (VCB-HELPER). For example, if the virtual VCB proxy's name is: backupproxy then the helper virtual machine's name should be: backupproxy(VCB-HELPER) Note that the helper virtual machine can be configured with minimal resources. For example, a helper machine with Windows Server 2003 would need: no network connectivity no operating system an estimated 1MB of hard drive space an estimated 4MB of RAM The helper virtual machine is able to function with these resources due to its use of the ESX Server's I/O stack for most of its operating resources.
Install and Configure the Required Software
3.	Install the VMware Consolidated Backup (VCB) and VMware Converter software on the VCB proxy computer. Refer to the following for more information: System Requirements - Virtual Server iDataAgent for information on supported versions of VMware Consolidated Backup (VCB) and VMware Converter. the VMware ESX server documentation for step-by-step instructions on installing VMware Consolidated Backup (VCB) and VMware Converter.
4.	Install the Virtual Server iDataAgent on the VCB proxy computer. See Install the Virtual Server iDataAgent for step-by-step instructions.
5.	Configure the required Virtual Server iDataAgent components for protecting the ESX server data. See the following for step-by-step instructions: Create an Instance Create Backup Sets Create a Subclient
Perform Backup Operations of Virtual Machines
6.	Once the VCB proxy and helper virtual machine have been created and configured, you can backup and restore the ESX Server's data as you otherwise would. See Backup - Virtual Server for an overview of the backup options available.

Important Considerations

Consider the following when protecting and recovering data in VMware Virtual Server Hot Add Mode: