CHAPTER 18Virtual Machine Backup

This chapter covers VM backup techniques. First, I’ll provide some insight into how hot backups work. Next, we’ll look at the main backup strategies for VMs. The remainder of the chapter focuses on VMware’s main technologies for backup: Consolidated Backup and the Data Recovery appliance.

What’s New with VM Backup?

• The VMware Data Recovery appliance, a VM that facilitates backup and comes with the vSphere Client plug-in

• Improvements in VMware Consolidated Backup include new support for thinly provisioned disks and IDE disks; improved support for busy SAN and iSCSI links, vApps, and Windows Server 2008

How Do Hot Backups Work?

It is possible to back up the files that make up a VM while it is powered on and ...

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