What are the recommended methods for creating backups of VMware ESXi?

There are several recommended methods for creating backups of VMware ESXi. Here are a few commonly used options:VMware Data Protection (VDP): VDP is a backup and recovery solution provided by VMware specifically for ESXi. It offers features like deduplication, incremental backups, and centralized management.VMware vSphere Storage APIs - Data Protection (VADP): VADP is an API framework that allows third-party backup software to integrate with VMware ESXi. Many backup vendors leverage VADP to provide backup solutions for ESXi.Third-party backup software: There are numerous third-party backup software options available in the market that support VMware ESXi. These solutions offer features like agentless backups, image-level backups, and granular recovery options.VM-level backups: Instead of backing up the entire ESXi host, you can also choose to perform virtual machine (VM)-level backups. This involves backing up individual VMs and their associated files, such as virtual disks and configuration files.Snapshot-based backups: ESXi allows you to take snapshots of VMs at a specific point in time. These snapshots can be used as a backup mechanism, but it is important to note that snapshots are not a long-term backup solution and should be used in conjunction with other backup methods.It is recommended to choose a backup method that aligns with your specific requirements, such as recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs). Additionally, regularly testing and validating your backups is crucial to ensure their integrity and effectiveness.

How do I create a full backup of VMware ESXi host configuration and virtual machines?

To create a full backup of VMware ESXi host configuration and virtual machines, you can follow these steps:Use a backup software: Choose a backup software that supports VMware ESXi and offers features like image-level backups, incremental backups, and granular recovery options. Some popular backup solutions for VMware ESXi include Veeam Backup & Replication, Commvault, and Nakivo Backup & Replication.Install and configure the backup software: Install the backup software on a separate physical or virtual machine. Follow the vendor's instructions to configure the backup software and connect it to your VMware ESXi host.Set up backup repositories: Configure backup repositories where the backup data will be stored. It is recommended to use separate storage devices for backups to ensure data redundancy.Create a backup job: Create a new backup job in the backup software. Specify the VMware ESXi host as the source and select the virtual machines you want to back up. Configure the backup schedule, retention policies, and other options according to your requirements.Test the backup job: Run a test backup job to ensure that the backup software is correctly configured and able to capture the required data. Verify that the backup files are stored in the designated backup repositories.Perform regular backups: Schedule regular backups based on your desired frequency (e.g., daily, weekly) and retention policies. Ensure that the backups are running successfully and monitor the backup storage usage to avoid running out of space.Verify backup integrity: Periodically verify the integrity of your backups by performing test restores. This ensures that the backup files are not corrupted and can be restored when needed.Secure the backup data: Implement appropriate security measures to protect the backup data, such as encryption, access controls, and offsite storage. This helps safeguard against data loss or unauthorized access.By following these steps, you can create a comprehensive backup strategy for your VMware ESXi host configuration and virtual machines, ensuring that you have a reliable backup in case of any failures or disasters.

Can I use VMware vSphere Data Protection (VDP) for creating backups of ESXi hosts, and if so, how?

Yes, you can use VMware vSphere Data Protection (VDP) to create backups of ESXi hosts. Here's how you can do it:Install and configure VMware vSphere Data Protection (VDP) appliance in your vSphere environment.Once the VDP appliance is set up, log in to the vSphere Web Client.In the vSphere Web Client, navigate to the vCenter Server or ESXi host you want to back up.Right-click on the vCenter Server or ESXi host and select 'All vCenter Actions' or 'All Host Actions' (depending on your selection).From the drop-down menu, select 'Backup.'In the 'Backup Job' wizard, provide a name and description for the backup job.Select the desired backup type, such as Full, Incremental, or Differential.Specify the backup destination. You can choose to back up to a deduplication storage appliance (such as EMC Data Domain) or a virtual disk.Configure the backup schedule and retention policy according to your requirements.Review the backup job settings and click 'Finish' to start the backup process.VDP will then create backups of the selected vCenter Server or ESXi host according to the specified schedule and retention policy. You can also monitor the backup progress and manage backup jobs through the vSphere Web Client.

Are there any third-party backup solutions compatible with VMware ESXi, and how do I set them up?

Yes, there are several third-party backup solutions that are compatible with VMware ESXi. Some popular ones include Veeam Backup & Replication, Commvault, Rubrik, and Nakivo Backup & Replication.To set up a third-party backup solution with VMware ESXi, you typically need to follow these general steps:Choose a backup solution: Select a third-party backup solution that meets your requirements and budget.Install the backup software: Install the backup software on a separate physical or virtual machine that is connected to your VMware ESXi environment.Configure the backup software: Configure the backup software by providing the necessary credentials and connection details for your VMware ESXi environment.Discover and add the ESXi host: The backup software will typically have an option to discover and add the ESXi host to the backup infrastructure. Provide the necessary details such as the IP address or hostname, username, and password to connect to the ESXi host.Configure backup settings: Set up the backup settings according to your requirements. This includes defining the backup schedule, retention policies, and selecting the VMs or datastores to be backed up.Test the backup: Before running the backup job, it is recommended to test the backup process to ensure it is working correctly. You can perform a test backup and restore to verify the integrity of the backup data.Run the backup job: Once everything is configured, you can start running the backup job. The backup software will connect to the ESXi host, take snapshots of the selected VMs or datastores, and transfer the data to the backup repository.Monitor and manage backups: Monitor the backup jobs to ensure they are running successfully. Most backup solutions provide a dashboard or console to monitor the backup status, view logs, and manage the backup infrastructure.It is recommended to refer to the documentation provided by the specific backup solution you choose for detailed instructions on setting up and configuring the backup software with VMware ESXi.

What steps should I take to restore a VMware ESXi host from a backup in case of failure?

To restore a VMware ESXi host from a backup in case of failure, you can follow these steps:Identify the failure: Determine the cause of the failure and ensure it won't happen again after the restore.Prepare the backup: Ensure that you have a recent and valid backup of the ESXi host. This backup should include the host configuration, virtual machine files, and any other relevant data.Install ESXi: If the host is completely unrecoverable, you may need to reinstall ESXi on the hardware. Use the same version and build as the original host for compatibility.Configure network settings: Set up the network settings on the new ESXi host to match the previous configuration. This includes IP addresses, VLANs, and any other network-related settings.Restore host configuration: If your backup includes the host configuration, you can restore it using the vSphere Client or the ESXi command-line interface (CLI). This will bring back settings such as storage, virtual switches, and security configurations.Restore virtual machines: If your backup includes virtual machine files, you can restore them to the new ESXi host. This can be done by copying the files to the appropriate datastore or using a backup/restore tool specifically designed for virtual machines.Verify the restore: Once the restore is complete, verify that the virtual machines are functioning correctly. Power them on and ensure they can communicate with the network and access their resources.Test and monitor: Perform thorough testing on the restored virtual machines to ensure they are fully functional. Also, monitor the host and virtual machines for any issues that may arise after the restore.Update documentation: Update your documentation to reflect any changes made during the restore process. This will help in case of future failures or when performing regular maintenance.It's important to note that the specific steps may vary depending on your backup solution and the exact circumstances of the failure. Always consult the documentation provided by VMware and your backup vendor for detailed instructions.

Setting Up Virtual Machine Backup Options & ESXi Configuration

Author: Vladimir Artiukh
Editor: Oleg Afonin
Updated: 14.10.2024 15:34

In today’s IT landscape, where virtualization servers are the backbone of many organizations, ensuring reliable backup options and automated processes is paramount. One of the leading virtualization platforms, VMware ESXi, requires robust backup strategies to safeguard critical data and system configurations. Let’s delve into various methods and tools available for creating reliable backups of VMware ESXi environments.

Setting Up Virtual Machine Backup Options & ESXi Configuration

Contents

The importance of backups

Virtual machines are often used to store critical information such as databases, mail servers, web applications and much more. Loss of such data can result in grave consequences causing business downtime, loss of customers, and even legal issues. Regular backup allows to recover virtual machines after errors and failures, and thus reduce the idle period of the whole system. This is especially important for business processes that require permanent availability of certain resources.

When the system configuration is modified, software is updated or certain patches are applied, there is always a risk of encountering problems. Backup files let you roll back all changes if an update goes wrong. Also, backups make it easier to migrate to new hardware or upscale your infrastructure. You’ll be able to recover virtual machines easily on new servers or in cloud-based environments.

Data backup and system configuration backup are two important elements in the strategy to ensure security in the IT field.

Data backup is focused on saving and restoring actual data stored in a system. It could be files, databases, multimedia content, and other information assets.

System configuration backup is meant to save system settings and options, including operating system settings, application settings, security settings, network settings and other parameters that determine the system structure and functionality.

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How to Create a Reliable Backup of VMware ESXi

How to back up ESXi system configuration

For starters, let’s explore how to back up a configuration of ESXi hypervisor. The easiest way to create a backup of ESXi host system and recover stuff from there is to use special commandlets included into PowerCLI. To use this backup method, you should install an extension called vSphere PowerCLI. I’ll show you how to create a backup on a Windows PC connected to the host machine over the network.

For starters, make sure that you have PowerCLI installed. Run PowerShell as administrator. Here is the command you need to use for installation:

Install-Module -Name VMware.PowerCLI -Force -AllowClobber

After that, connect to the host. Use this command:

Connect-VIServer -Server 192.168.1.177

In this command, you need to give a correct IP address of the host.

To back up an ESXi host server configuration, run the following command:

get-vmhost "192.168.1.177" | get-vmhostfirmware -BackupConfiguration -DestinationPath "D:\BackupESXi"

Backing up ESXi host server configuration

Give the ESXi server’s IP address and the path to save the backup file; in my case, it will be Disk D, and the folder – BackupESXi. After running the command in this directory - D:\BackupESXi, a file appears which contains the ESXi server configuration backup. Now you have this ESXi server configuration backup, and if there is a server breakdown, you’ll be able to recover its configuration with the help of of this backup file.

For recovery, use this command:

Set-VMHostFirmware -VMHost 192.168.1.177 -Restore -SourcePath "D:\BackupESXi\configBundle-192.168.1.177.tgz" -Force

There is one thing to keep in mind: an ESXi configuration from backup should be recovered to exactly the same version of ESXi, otherwise it may not be successful.

Restoring ESXi server configuration from backup

How to create a data backup

As to virtual machines, VMware vSphere (ESXi) offers several ways to create their backups. I’m going to show you two main methods: one using the web interface and the other using command line utilities (PowerCLI).

1. The first method

For the first method, we’ll be using the web panel. Open a browser and type the address of your ESXi host, and then give the login and administrator’s password to log in. In the main page, choose the Virtual Machines tab on the left.

Find the necessary virtual machine on the list, right-click on it and choose – Snapshot – Take snapshot.

Give the snapshot a name and description, then click Take snapshot.

You can use various options to manage snapshots, such as restoring or deleting snapshots, and you can use them to restore the previous condition of your system from a snapshot you took at an earlier time.

2. The second method

There is also the second method to take a snapshot of a virtual machine with the help of PowerShell and PowerCLI:

Previously, we have already installed this tool, so now you need to connect to the ESXi server, open PowerShell and type the following command:

Connect-VIServer -Server your-esxi-host

To take a snapshot, run this command:

New-Snapshot -VM "Linux" -Name "LinBackup" -Description "2"

Give the correct name of your machine, then the snapshot name and description.

Creating a virtual machine snapshot in PowerCLI

You can also use other PowerCLI commandlets to manage snapshots, such as Get-Snapshot, Remove-Snapshot, and so on.

Please note that taking snapshots can take some time and resources. Also, remember to manage snapshots regularly so they don’t accumulate in big numbers and can’t cause possible storage issues.

How to configure automatic backup with ghettoVCB script

One more way to create a backup copy of the virtual machine involves a third-party tool, GhettoVCB.

GhettoVCB is a script designed to back up virtual machines in VMware ESXi environment.

It’s a flexible way to back up virtual machines.

This utility is similar to VMware VCB (VMware Consolidated Backup) tool which is also used for backup purposes. Using ghettoVCB.sh involves taking a snapshot of the virtual machine, running backup operations, and then removing the snapshot after backup operations are over. One peculiarity of this scenario is that it can create backups while the virtual machine is online, without having to shut it down.

As a simple backup solution for ESXi virtual machines, ghettoVCB can create only a full backup file every time, so if you want to create backups of the differing data - or, in other words, create incremental backups or differential backups - you need to find another tool for the job.

To use this method, download GhettoVCB from the official webpage on GitHub. You need to get Source code (tar.gz) After that, enable access by SSH on the ESXi host and download ghettoVCB to the server. To enable SSH, look at the control panel, find the Hoststab, click on Actions – Services – Enable Secure Shell.

Now, to download the script to the server, go to the Storage tab and click Datastore browser. In the window that opens, choose the storage where the archive should be downloaded and click Upload, then give the path to the archive and click Open, and the download will start.

Downloading GhettoVCB installer to ESXi host

When it’s over, extract the archive. To do it, connect to ESXi host with an SSH client - for example, Putty. Type the host IP address and then the login and administrator’s password.

After successful login, go to the data storage where you downloaded the archive, type the command “cd” and the path:

cd /vmfs/volumes/vmdata/

To extract the archive, run this command:

tar -zxvf ghettoVCB.tar.gz

Give the correct archive name.

Now you have a folder on your server containing the GhettoVCB script.

Let’s create a special folder to keep your virtual machine backups - and let’s give it a simple name, backup. In addition to the local storage, you can also set up an NFS storage. If you have one more server or NAS, you can configure NFS access and save a backup file there. A bit later, I will show you how to configure NFS access on Synology NAS.

But now let’s modify the configuration file ghettoVCB.conf

Go to the folder containing the script:

cd /vmfs/volumes/vmdata/ghettoVCB-2023_09_29/

Open the configuration file in a text editor:

vi ghettoVCB.conf

Press the i key to edit.

Open the folder containing the script ghettoVCB.conf

You can modify some settings or delete everything and enter only the options you need.

VM_BACKUP_VOLUME=/vmfs/volumes/vmdata/backup

DISK_BACKUP_FORMAT=thin

VM_SNAPSHOT_MEMORY=0

VM_SNAPSHOT_QUIESCE=0

ENABLE_HARD_POWER_OFF=0

ITER_TO_WAIT_SHUTDOWN=3

POWER_OFF_VM_SELECTION=0

ENABLE_COMPRESSION=0

VM_SNAPSHOT_CONSOLIDATE=0

ENABLE_NON_PERSISTENT_NFS=0

For starters, give the path to the folder where the backup should be stored; backup format - thin volume. Now, one of the important settings is the schedule: I will configure a daily backup at 2 pm, with the CRON parameter.

Add the variable CRON_MINUTE=0, and you can set any digit from 0 to 59.

And the variable CRON_HOUR=14, from 0 to 23.

After you run the script, a virtual machine backup will be created every day at the specified time.

Now let’s reduce the number of saved backups to 5 so that they don’t take up too much space.

Add VM_BACKUP_ROTATION_COUNT=5

This means that ghettoVCB will keep a maximum of 5 backup files, and when a new one is created, the oldest file which is now the sixth file, will be removed. Now let’s save the changes: press Esc, and type a combination of colon and wq (:wq). Now you can start the backup operations.

Fill in the configuration file ghettoVCB

To check the configuration, run the script ghettoVCB:

./ghettoVCB.sh -a

If you see an error saying that a backup can’t be saved and it shows a backup folder path different from the path you have given in the configuration file, you need to change the script file itself.

Open it in the script editor:

vi ghettoVCB.sh

Here, change the path to the backup folder, press the “i” key to edit

VM_BACKUP_VOLUME=/vmfs/volumes/vmdata/backup

Then press Esc - :wq to save the changes.

Run the script one more time.

./ghettoVCB.sh -a

Parameter “-a” indicates backing up all virtual machines on the host.
By giving the “-f” parameter, you can add a list of virtual machines for backup.

To create a list, open a text editor with a name for the list of virtual machines.

vi vm_backup

Add machine names

Linux

Windows

Esc :wq

The command using the list of virtual machines will look like this:

./ghettoVCB.sh -f vm_backup

With parameter “-c” you can add a directory for virtual machine configuration
You’ll get a backup of virtual machines based on certain configurations located in this directory.
Parameter “-g” gives the path to a global ghettoVCB configuration file
With parameter “-l” the output will be written to the log file.

./ghettoVCB.sh -a -l /vmfs/volume/vmdata/ghettoVCB.log
Parameter “-d” indicates the debugging level [info|debug|dryrun]

For example, let’s run a command when the archive is not saved, and a test run will be performed.

./ghettoVCB.sh -a -d dryrun

Previously created backups of virtual machines are located in the specified folder.

How to configure an NFS storage

Now let’s explore how to configure NFS storage, with the example of Synology NAS.

By default, NFS is disabled for Synology NAS, so you need to turn it on first. Open the control panel – File Services – SMB/AFP/NFS tab, and scroll down to check the box next to Enable NFS and NFSv4.1.

Now click on the Shared folder link and add a new folder by clicking Create. Give its name, description, check the options to hide this shared folder in My Network Places and to hide files from users without permissions, then click Next.

Creating a new Synology NAS shared folder

Open Permissions and allow access for your user only. Then navigate to NFS Permissions and click Create. Type your ESXi host IP address and click OK to confirm your choice.

Remember the mount path - it is shown down below. All right, we have created a shared folder for backups. Now let’s proceed with host settings. Open the ESXi administration panel, go to Storage tab - New datastore. In the window that opens, choose the type – Mount NFS datastore and click Next.

Now give its name, type the storage IP address - in my case, the IP address of my Synology NAS - and give the directory which you have just remembered.

Choose NFS4, give the login and password with write permissions, click Next and Finish. After that, the new datastore will appear in this window. You will be able to configure backup to a new directory. To do it, you need to change the configuration file, and the script file, if necessary.

vi ghettoVCB.conf

Let’s add a new storage directory.

VM_BACKUP_VOLUME=/vmfs/volumes/NFS01

Enable NFS

UNMOUNT_NFS=1

Give the address of the NFS storage

NFS_SERVER=192.168.1.211

And give the directory

NFS_MOUNT=/vmdataNFS

NFS_LOCAL_NAME=backup

NFS_VM_BACKUP_DIR=Backup

If nothing changes after you have edited the configuration file, add the settings data to the script file.

vi ghettoVCB.sh

To recover data from a backup, you need to copy files from the backup to a certain folder of your virtual machine, or register a new virtual machine from backup,

Virtual machines- Create/Register VM, Register an existing virtual machine

and give the path to the folder.

In advance, this folder should be copied to another directory, because it may be erased as new backups are created.

Recovering data with Hetman RAID Recovery

If you ever have any issues in restoring files from your backup, or a backup file is damaged or missing, you can always restore virtual machine files accidentally removed from an ESXi server as long as you have a dedicated tool – Hetman RAID Recovery.

RAID Recovery™ 2.6

Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.

Download

Hetman RAID Recovery will help you recover data if your RAID has crashed, if you deleted virtual machine files accidentally, or if the disks containing data have been formatted. The program will automatically rebuild the damaged array with the available hard disks and display its contents.

Recovering a virtual machine with Hetman RAID Recovery

To recover your files, start the scan and wait until it’s over. After that, open the folder where the lost files were stored, and recover them.

Program	Support for Virtual Disk Formats	Features	Interface	Platforms
Hetman RAID Recovery	VMDK, VHD, VHDX	Data recovery from damaged or deleted virtual disks, support for all types of file systems.	User-friendly interface with step-by-step instructions.	Windows
Stellar Data Recovery Technician	VMDK, VHD, VHDX	Data recovery from virtual machines, search and recovery of lost files.	Intuitive interface, customizable recovery options.	Windows
DiskInternals VMFS Recovery	VMDK	Data recovery from VMFS volumes on ESXi, support for RAID arrays.	Technical interface geared towards experienced users.	Windows
R-Studio	VMDK, VHD, VHDX	Data recovery from virtual disks, support for many file systems.	More technical interface, aimed at professionals.	Windows, macOS, Linux
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard	VMDK, VHD, VHDX	Simple tool for recovering files from virtual machines.	Clear and easy-to-use interface.	Windows, macOS

Conclusion

Summing up, we can say that setting up backup options for virtual machines and ESXi system configuration is a key element in ensuring safety and reliability of virtual infrastructure. Today we have reviewed several backup methods, including with the use of PowerCLI and a third-party script GhettoVCB. It is important to understand the process of creating backups, because it enables you to use quick recovery methods in case of data loss or failure.

Establishing robust backup options for VMware ESXi environments is imperative for ensuring data integrity and system resilience. Today, we've explored multiple backup methods, including PowerCLI for ESXi configuration backup, web interfaces for VM data backup, and third-party tools like GhettoVCB for automated backups. By understanding and implementing these backup strategies, organizations can bolster the security and reliability of their virtual infrastructures, enabling swift recovery in the event of data loss or system failures.

Additional Considerations for Backup of VMware ESXi

Importance of VM Backups

Virtual machines (VMs) store a plethora of critical data ranging from databases to web applications. The loss of such data can have severe repercussions, including business downtime, loss of customers, and legal ramifications. Regular backups are indispensable for mitigating risks associated with errors, failures, and system modifications. They facilitate quick recovery, minimizing the impact of system disruptions and ensuring continuous business operations.

Ensuring Data and System Configuration Backup

Data backup and system configuration backup are two pillars of an effective IT security strategy. Data backup involves preserving and restoring actual data stored within a system, encompassing files, databases, and multimedia content. On the other hand, system configuration backup entails saving system settings, including operating system configurations, application settings, and network parameters. Together, these backups fortify the resilience of the IT infrastructure against unforeseen events.