Esxi 6.5 Backup Configuration
ESXi 6.5 is the latest release of VMware’s flagship hypervisor. It offers a number of enhancements over its predecessor, ESXi 6.0, including support for larger virtual machines, a new virtual disk format, and a more powerful built-in firewall.
Like all versions of VMware’s ESXi hypervisor, ESXi 6.5 can be administered using VMware’s vSphere Client GUI. However, the vSphere Client is being phased out in favor of VMware’s more powerful vSphere Web Client. The vSphere Web Client is a Java application that can be accessed from any web browser.
In order to protect your ESXi 6.5 installation from data loss, you should create a backup plan. The first step in creating a backup plan is to determine what data should be backed up. In most cases, you’ll want to back up the entire contents of your ESXi 6.5 system, including the virtual machines, their configuration files, and the virtual disk images.
The next step is to choose a backup method. There are a number of different ways to back up data, but the two most popular methods are image-based backups and block-level backups.
An image-based backup captures the entire contents of a disk or partition as a single file. This type of backup is useful for backing up entire disks or partitions, but it can be slow and can take up a lot of disk space.
A block-level backup copies only the blocks of data that have changed since the last backup. This type of backup is faster and takes up less disk space than an image-based backup, but it can only be used to back up files that are stored in a file system.
The final step is to choose a backup destination. You can back up your data to a local disk, a network-attached storage (NAS) device, or a remote server.
Once you’ve created a backup plan, you need to configure your backup software to execute the plan. The configuration process will vary depending on the software you’re using, but typically you’ll need to specify the backup source, the backup destination, and the schedule.
If you’re using VMware’s vSphere Data Protection (VDP) software, you can also configure it to create periodic incremental backups. Incremental backups only copy the blocks of data that have changed since the last backup, so they take up less disk space than full backups. However, they can only be used to restore data to a point in time that is within the last few backups.
Once your backup plan is configured, you can rest assured that your data is safe in the event of a disaster.
Table of Contents
- 1 Understanding the Importance of Backup Configuration
- 2 Setting Up a Backup Storage Repository
- 3 Creating a Backup Job in ESXi 6.5
- 4 Configuring Backup Options and Schedule
- 5 Performing a Backup Verification and Restoration Test
- 6 Using Third-Party Tools for Backup and Restore
- 7 Best Practices for ESXi 6.5 Backup Configuration
- 8 Troubleshooting Common Backup Issues in ESXi 6.5
Understanding the Importance of Backup Configuration
Backing up your data is one of the most important things you can do to protect your business. The same is true for your VMware infrastructure. In this article, we will discuss the importance of backup configuration and provide some tips on how to configure your backups.
The first step in creating a good backup strategy is to understand your environment and the data that needs to be backed up. In a VMware environment, there are three main types of data that need to be considered:
1. Virtual machines (VMs)
2. Configuration files
3. Virtual disks
The first two items on the list are the easiest to back up. Configuration files can be backed up using a tool like vSphere Data Protection (VDP), and virtual disks can be backed up using a tool like VMware Data Recovery (VDR).
The third item on the list, virtual disks, can be a bit more difficult to back up. This is because virtual disks can be split into multiple files, and each file can be a different size. In addition, virtual disks can be in different states (e.g. thin-provisioned, thick-provisioned, or eager-zeroed). This can make it difficult to determine which disks need to be backed up and how to back them up.
There are a few ways to address this:
1. Use a tool like VDR to back up all virtual disks, regardless of their state.
2. Use a tool like VMware Consolidated Backup (VCB) to back up only the virtual disks that need to be backed up.
3. Use a tool like PowerCLI to script the backup of virtual disks.
The first option, using a tool like VDR to back up all virtual disks, is the simplest option, but it can be inefficient because it will back up disks that don’t need to be backed up. The second option, using a tool like VCB, is more efficient because it will back up only the virtual disks that need to be backed up. The third option, using a tool like PowerCLI, is the most efficient option, but it requires more work to set up.
Once you have determined which disks need to be backed up, the next step is to determine how to back them up. There are two main options for backing up virtual disks:
1. Full backup
2. Incremental backup
The first option, a full backup, is the simplest option. It backups all the data on a virtual disk, regardless of whether it has changed since the last backup. The second option, an incremental backup, is more efficient because it only backups the data that has changed since the last backup. This can save time and storage space.
The next step is to determine when to back up the data. There are two main options for backing up data:
1. Scheduled backup
2. Event-driven backup
The first option, a scheduled backup, is the simplest option. It backups data at a fixed time, regardless of whether it has changed since the last backup. The second option, an event-driven backup, is more efficient because it backups data only when it has changed since the last backup. This can save time and storage space.
The next step is to determine where to back up the data. There are two main options for backing up data:
1. Local backup
2. Remote backup
The first option, a local backup, is the simplest option. It backups data on the same server as the VMware environment. The second option, a remote backup, is more efficient because
Setting Up a Backup Storage Repository
A storage repository is a logical container for storing backup files on an Esxi host. A storage repository can be a local disk on the Esxi host, a network share, or a storage area network (SAN).
To create a storage repository, you must first create a folder on the target disk or share. The folder name must be the same as the storage repository name. The folder must be accessible to the Esxi host, and the user account used to run the vSphere Data Protection (VDP) appliance must have permissions to write to the folder.
There are two types of storage repositories:
Fixed-size storage repositories
Folder-based storage repositories
A fixed-size storage repository is a dedicated disk or LUN that is allocated a specific amount of space when it is created. Once the disk or LUN is allocated, it cannot be resized. A folder-based storage repository is a folder on a disk or share that is used to store backup files. The folder can be resized as needed.
To create a storage repository:
1. Log in to the vSphere Web Client.
2. Navigate to the vSphere Data Protection home page.
3. Click the Backup tab.
4. Click the Storage Repositories tab.
5. Click the Add button.
6. Select Fixed Size or Folder-based.
7. Enter a name for the storage repository.
8. Enter the path to the folder where the storage repository will be created.
9. Enter the size of the disk or LUN, in gigabytes.
10. Click the OK button.
Creating a Backup Job in ESXi 6.5
Creating a Backup Job in ESXi 65
There are many things to take into account when creating a backup job in ESXi 65. The first step is to identify what needs to be backed up. This can include virtual machines, files, or folders.
Once the items to be backed up have been identified, the next step is to create a backup plan. This plan should include the schedule for the backups, what media will be used, and how long the backups will be kept.
Once the plan is created, the next step is to create the backup job. This is done in the vSphere client. The first step is to select the host or cluster to be backed up.
Next, select the Backup tab and then click on the Add button. This will open the Add Backup Job wizard.
The first step in the wizard is to select a backup type. There are three types of backups: full, incremental, and differential.
The next step is to select the items to be backed up. This can be done by selecting the virtual machines, files, or folders to be backed up.
The next step is to select the destination for the backup. This can be a local or remote location.
The next step is to select the schedule for the backups. This can be done by selecting a time interval or by specifying a date and time.
The next step is to select the media to be used for the backups. This can be a local or remote location.
The next step is to specify the retention policy for the backups. This can be done by specifying how many backups to keep or by specifying the age of the backups.
The next step is to review the settings and then click on the Finish button.
The backup job will now be created and will run according to the schedule that was selected.
Configuring Backup Options and Schedule
There are several ways to back up your Esxi 6.5 server. You can use native tools such as vmware-vsphere-client or the command line interface. You can also use a third-party backup tool. In this article, we will discuss configuring backup options and schedule using the native vmware-vsphere-client.
To configure backup options in Esxi 6.5, open the vSphere Client and connect to the Esxi host. Then, go to the Configuration tab and click on the Backup button.
The Backup window will open. By default, the backup job is disabled. To enable the backup job, click on the Edit button.
The Edit Backup Job window will open. Here, you can configure the following settings:
Name: The name of the backup job.
The name of the backup job. Description: A description of the backup job.
A description of the backup job. Backup type: Select Full or Incremental.
Select Full or Incremental. Schedule: Select the time and frequency of the backup job.
Select the time and frequency of the backup job. Storage: Select the storage location for the backup files.
Select the storage location for the backup files. Compression: Compress the backup files.
Compress the backup files. Encryption: Encrypt the backup files.
Encrypt the backup files. Overwrite historical backups: Overwrite the previous backup files with the new backups.
Click on the OK button to save the settings.
The backup job will now be enabled and will run according to the schedule you configured.
Performing a Backup Verification and Restoration Test
Instructions for performing a backup verification and restoration test:
1. Verify that the backup media is functional.
2. Make a copy of the backup media.
3. Verify that the backup files are intact.
4. Verify that the backup files are compatible with the restore media.
5. Verify that the backup files are configured correctly.
6. Perform a restoration test.
Using Third-Party Tools for Backup and Restore
ESXi 6.5 is the latest release of VMware’s bare-metal hypervisor. ESXi 6.5 can be installed on various hardware platforms from Intel and AMD processors, to Dell, HPE, and Cisco servers.
ESXi 6.5 provides a number of new features and enhancements over the previous release, ESXi 6.0. These include:
■ VM encryption
■ Enhanced support for Nvidia GRID cards
■ Support for hot-add of Nvidia Quadro P6000 and Tesla P40 cards
VMware has also released a new version of its flagship management product, vSphere 6.5. vSphere 6.5 provides a number of new features and enhancements over the previous release, vSphere 6.0. These include:
■ HTML5-based vSphere Client
■ Simplified vSphere installation and management
■ Support for Secure Boot
■ Enhanced vMotion and Storage vMotion performance
Backup is one of the most important aspects of any IT infrastructure. It is essential to have a reliable, regular backup routine in place to protect against data loss in the event of a disaster or system failure.
There are a number of different ways to backup an ESXi host. One option is to use the built-in VMware vSphere Data Protection (VDP) product. VDP is a free product that provides basic backup and restore functionality for VMware environments.
However, VDP is limited in terms of features and functionality, and is not always suitable for more complex environments. For example, VDP does not support the backup of virtual machines that are stored on NFS datastores.
For more complex environments, it is often necessary to use a third-party backup product. There are a number of different third-party backup products available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
In this article, we will compare two popular third-party backup products, vSphere Data Protection (VDP) from VMware and Veeam Backup and Replication. We will look at the features and functionality of each product, and discuss which product is better suited for specific use cases.
VMware vSphere Data Protection (VDP) is a free, built-in backup product for VMware environments. VDP is a limited product, and is not always suitable for more complex environments.
VDP supports the backup of virtual machines that are stored on local or shared datastores. It does not support the backup of virtual machines that are stored on NFS datastores. VDP also does not support the backup of virtual machines that are stored in VMware Cloud on AWS.
VDP supports the backup of both physical servers and virtual machines. It can be used to create full backups, incremental backups, and synthetic full backups. VDP can also be used to create image-level backups of virtual machines.
VDP can be used to restore virtual machines to a previous point in time, or to a completely new location. VDP can also be used to restore physical servers.
Veeam Backup and Replication is a third-party backup product from Veeam Software. It is a more comprehensive product than VMware vSphere Data Protection, and supports a wider range of features and functionality.
Veeam Backup and Replication supports the backup of virtual machines that are stored on local or shared datastores, as well as virtual machines that are stored on NFS datastores. It also supports the backup of virtual machines that are stored in VMware Cloud on AWS.
Veeam Backup and Replication supports the backup of both physical servers and virtual machines. It can be used
Best Practices for ESXi 6.5 Backup Configuration
VMware vSphere 6.5 provides a number of improvements to the backup and recovery process. These improvements include:
– Support for Changed Block Tracking (CBT) for both full and incremental backups
– Support for vSphere APIs for Data Protection (VADP)
– New File-Based Backup and Restore
In addition, vSphere 6.5 supports the use of vSphere Data Protection (VDP) Appliances for backup and disaster recovery.
The following are best practices for configuring backup and recovery for vSphere 6.5:
1. Use Changed Block Tracking (CBT)
Changed Block Tracking (CBT) is a VMware feature that allows for more efficient backup and replication of virtual machines. With CBT enabled, only the blocks of data that have changed since the last backup will be backed up, which can significantly reduce the amount of time required to complete a backup.
To enable CBT for a virtual machine, right-click the virtual machine and select Edit Settings. In the Virtual Machine Properties dialog, select the Options tab and click the Edit button next to the Change Tracking option.
2. Use vSphere APIs for Data Protection (VADP)
vSphere APIs for Data Protection (VADP) is a VMware API that allows for the offloading of backup and replication tasks to a third-party backup application. VADP provides a number of benefits, including the ability to back up virtual machines that are powered off, the ability to back up multiple virtual machines at the same time, and the ability to perform incremental backups.
To use VADP, the backup application must be certified to work with VMware vSphere. For a list of certified backup applications, see the VMware vSphere Compatibility Guide.
3. Use File-Based Backup and Restore
File-based backup and restore is a new feature in vSphere 6.5 that allows for the backup and restore of individual files and folders from a virtual machine. This can be useful for backing up files that are not included in traditional backup solutions, such as application logs and configuration files.
To use file-based backup and restore, the virtual machine must be quiesced. Quiescing ensures that all pending writes to the virtual machine’s disks have completed before the backup begins. This helps to ensure that the backup is consistent and does not contain any corrupted data.
4. Use vSphere Data Protection (VDP) Appliances for Backup and Disaster Recovery
vSphere Data Protection (VDP) is a VMware backup solution that is included with vSphere 6.5. VDP is a software appliance that can be deployed on a variety of hardware platforms, including VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Oracle Solaris.
VDP can be used for both backup and disaster recovery. For backup, VDP can be used to back up virtual machines, individual files and folders, and application objects. For disaster recovery, VDP can be used to create a virtual machine replica of a backed up virtual machine.
5. Use a Dedicated Backup Server
A dedicated backup server can provide a number of benefits, including:
– Increased performance and throughput
– Increased scalability
– Reduced load on the vSphere server
To maximize the performance of the backup server, it is important to ensure that it is properly configured and that it has sufficient resources, such as CPU and memory.
6. Use a Dedicated Network for Backup Traffic
To ensure that backup traffic does not impact other network traffic, it is recommended that a dedicated network be used for backup. This
Troubleshooting Common Backup Issues in ESXi 6.5
Backing up an ESXi host is a key part of protecting your infrastructure. In this article, we’ll discuss some common backup issues in ESXi 6.5 and how to troubleshoot them.
Incorrect backup configuration can lead to data loss. One common problem is forgetting to enable SSH access for the backup user. This is required for the backup software to be able to copy files from the ESXi host.
Another common issue is incorrect permissions on the backup repository. The backup user must have write permissions to the repository in order to copy files to it.
If you’re having trouble backing up an ESXi host, here are a few things to check:
-Verify that the backup user has SSH access to the ESXi host
-Check the permissions on the backup repository
-Verify that the backup software is configured correctly
-Check the logs on the ESXi host to troubleshoot any errors