How to Create a Comprehensive VMware ESXi VM Backup

VMware ESXi backup is considered critical for that rely heavily on licensed version solutions to improve operations, improve resource efficiency, and optimize performance. VMware ESXi is a powerful hypervisor that allows organizations to build and manage multiple virtual machines on a single real server, providing benefits such as business continuity assurance, quick recovery, cost savings, and improved system performance.

However, the risk of data loss or damage due to hardware failures, human errors, or cyber threats cannot be overlooked. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the importance of VMware ESXi backups and the reliable methods available to protect your virtual infrastructure effectively.

How to Select Backup Types

When it comes to the type of backup for VMware ESXi, two main options are generally used. Full backup involves creating a complete copy of all the virtual machine data. This results in larger backups, but allows for faster recovery. On the other hand, an incremental backup only stores changes made since the last backup. This reduces the size of the backup, but may increase the recovery time if required to incorporate multiple incremental backups together.

How to Chose a VMware Backup Solution

Choosing a reliable VMware backup solution is important. VMware snapshots are not independent and may affect virtual machine performance in the long term, so it’s not recommended to use snapshots as regual backup.

• Manually copying VM disk files or exporting VMs to OVF/OVA can provide long-term data protection, but may require manual effort.
• Agent VM backup using Windows Server Backup or Backup and Restore allows for file backup, but may not cover host and guest configurations. And multi-VM file backups can take a long time.
• On the other hand, the agentless backup software such as AOMEI Cyber Backup is considered the most reliable way to back up VMs. It allows for free and complete backup of multiple VMs in simple steps.

Professional VMware ESXi VM Backup Solution

One reliable VMware backup solution is AOMEI Cyber Backup which offers features such as centralized backup, automatic backup operations, role-setting for limited permissions, email alerts, and lifetime free version.

• Create a comprehensive, independent image-level backup for VMware ESXi virtual machines.
• Back up multiple virtual machines (VMs) in a batch using vCenter Server, or VMs running on a separate ESXi host.
• Store backup files to network, local or cloud locations.
• Automate backups on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis by creating backup schedules.
• Instantaneously restore accessible virtual machines from any designated restore points.

To back up VMware ESXi VMs using AOMEI Cyber Backup, follow these steps:

1. Install AOMEI Cyber Backup and connect to your VMware device while verifying authentication.

2. Go to Backup Task >> + Create New Task and select VMware ESXi Backup to start the VMware backup process.

3. Select a VMware virtual machine from vCenter or a standalone ESXi host, then set the timing and frequency of the backup you want.

4. Choose a suitable location that has enough capacity to store the backup files.

5. You can archive backup copies to your Amazon S3 storage if you have one.

6. Schedule the backup you want, whether it’s a periodic, add-on, or complete backup. Indicate if you want backups to occur every day, every week, or every month.

7. Set a retention policy to specify the duration of the backup retention.

8. Check all configured settings and parameters again to make sure they comply with your backup requirements.

✍ Created backup tasks will be kept track of individually and listed for scheduling, progress monitoring, and restoration purposes. By selecting Restore to new location, you can quickly restore a VMware ESXi virtual machine to another datastore/host without having to install or configure a new one.

You can always maintain the flexibility and security of your virtual environments with backup and recovery features of AOMEI Cyber Backup.

Conclusion

In conclusion, VMware ESXi backups are essential for enterprises that use licensed version technology, with advantages such as data protection, recovery, and business continuity. By understanding your organization’s backup requirements and choosing a reliable backup solution such as AOMEI Cyber Backup, you can be sure of the flexibility and security of your virtual environment, which paves the way to continuous performance and growth.