VMware GSX 3 - Manual (Page 127)

C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host
127
Backing Up Virtual Machines and the
GSX Server Host
This section discusses methods for backing up your virtual machines and the GSX
Server host. It includes:
• Using a Backup Agent in the Virtual Machine on page 127
• Using a Backup Agent Running on the Host Operating System on page 127
• Backing Up the GSX Server Host on page 128
• Considerations for Backing Up Virtual Machines on page 128
Using a Backup Agent in the Virtual Machine
The best way to back up virtual machines that require constant uptime (24 hours a
day, seven days a week) is to load a backup agent in each virtual machine. This agent
should connect directly through your network to your backup servers. This method
allows you to completely back up individual files on your virtual machines and recover
files individually.
Supported Backup Configurations
VMware has tested the following backup software in virtual machines using the Dell
PowerVault 120T tape drive/changer:
• BrightStor ARCserve Backup version 9.0 (build 1868)
• Veritas Backup Exec 9, Service Pack 1
The tape drive must be configured as a generic SCSI device. To add the drive to a
virtual machine, see
Adding a Generic SCSI Device to a Virtual Machine in the VMware
GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide.
Note: If the virtual machine has a Windows guest operating system installed and is
configured to use the BusLogic SCSI adapter, then you must use the VMware BusLogic
driver, available from the VMware Web site at
www.vmware.com/download .
Using a Backup Agent Running on the Host Operating System
Another backup method uses a backup agent running on the GSX Server host. You
back up a virtual machine by suspending and resuming it with batch files containing
vmware-cmd commands. Suspending a virtual machine puts it in a state in which
the host backup software can gain exclusive access to the virtual machine files to
complete its task.
Your suspend batch file should contain the following line: