VMware backup options

The following options are available for VMware backup jobs.

See Creating a full backup of VMware resources.

Table: VMware backup options

Item

Description

Backup method

Indicates the backup method to use for the backup job. If your virtual machines are configured with hardware version 7 and you create the backup job from a policy, the Incremental and Differential backup methods are available . If you use VMware vCenter Server, the Full backup method is the only available method. You can use the Incremental and Differential backup methods only if you use a policy, regardless of the version of VMware that you use.

Use the full backup method for virtual machines that do not support incremental or differential backups

Lets Backup Exec perform a full backup if an incremental backup or a differential backup cannot be performed. If you do not select this option and Backup Exec cannot perform an incremental backup or a differential backup, then the job fails. In addition, if Backup Exec detects a configuration change, then a full backup must be performed. If a configuration change is detected and Backup Exec cannot perform a full backup, then the job fails if this option is not selected. This scenario applies only if a full backup and some incremental or differential backups have already been performed and the next scheduled job is for an incremental or a differential backup.

Note:

This option appears only when you use a policy.

Transport mode priority list

Lets you select the method to transport the Virtual Machine Disk Format (VMDK) file from the ESX server. You must select at least one of these options. If you select more than one option, the method is determined by the priority and the resources that are available. You can move the options up or down in the list to change the priority.

The following methods are available:

  • SAN – Use the SAN to move virtual disk data.

    If you select this option, the virtual machine must reside on a SAN that the media server can access. With this transport mode, the data is offloaded to the media server, so that the ESX server is not affected.

  • NBD – Do not encrypt the virtual disk data for over-the-network transfers

    Use this option if you do not use SSL for security and one of the following conditions exist:

    • The virtual machine is not located on the SAN.

    • The media server does not have access to the SAN.

    The data is placed on the ESX server. Then, the data moves across the network.

  • NBDSSL – Encrypt virtual disk data for over-the-network transfers

    Use this option if you use SSL for security and one of the following conditions exist:

    • The virtual machine is not located on the SAN.

    • The media server does not have access to the SAN.

  • Hotadd – Use virtual disk files from the Backup Exec server on the virtual machine

    Use this option if you want to use the hot add feature for ESX.

    See your VMware documentation for more information about hot add.

The snapshot is placed on the ESX server. Then, the data moves across the network.

The VMDK file is not backed up if the virtual hard disk is configured as an Independent disk.

Move Up

Lets you move the selected transport mode to a higher priority in the list.

Move Down

Lets you move the selected transport mode to a lower priority in the list.

Back up virtual machines that are powered off

Enables Backup Exec to back up virtual machines that are turned off.

Use Backup Exec Granular Recovery Technology (GRT) to enable the restore of individual files and folders from virtual machines

Enables individual files and folders to be restored from the backup. This option is for virtual machines that use a Windows operating system only.

The VMDK file is not backed up if the virtual hard disk is configured as an Independent disk.

Note:

GRT is not meant for system recovery but only for the restore of individual files and folders on Windows computers.

Edit

Lets you change the GRT settings for Microsoft Active Directory, Exchange, and SQL.

See Virtual Machine Application Granular Recovery Technology Settings.

Microsoft Active Directory

Indicates whether GRT is enabled or disabled for Microsoft Active Directory on the virtual machine. It is enabled by default.

Microsoft Exchange

Indicates whether GRT is enabled or disabled for Microsoft Exchange on the virtual machine. It is enabled by default.

Microsoft SQL

Indicates whether GRT is enabled or disabled for Microsoft SQL on the virtual machine. It is enabled by default.

vSphere Port Number

Indicates the port that Backup Exec uses to connect to vCenter Server. The default port is 902.

VMware backup options