Setting default backup and restore options for the Agent for VMware

You can use the defaults that Backup Exec sets during installation for all VMware backup and restore jobs, or you can choose your own defaults. You can also set backup or restore options for individual jobs.

To set default backup and restore options for the Agent for VMware

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

  2. In the Properties pane, under Job Defaults, click VMware Virtual Infrastructure.

  3. Select the appropriate options as follows:

    Transport mode

    Select one of the following options to transport the Virtual Machine Disk Format (VMDK) file from the ESX server:

    • SAN - Back up virtual disk files that reside on a shared fibre channel or on an iSCSI storage device.

      If you select this option, the virtual machine must reside on the SAN. The VCB proxy server must be attached to the SAN. With this transport mode, the data is offloaded to the VCB proxy server, so that the ESX server is not impacted.

    • 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 VCB proxy 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 VCB proxy server does not have access to the SAN.

    • Hotadd - Back up virtual disk files on any shared storage or local storage through the VCB proxy virtual machine.

      Use this option if you want to use the hotadd feature now available for ESX 3.5. The hotadd feature lets you use a virtual machine as your VCB proxy server.

    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.

    Use VCB compact for VMDK files

    Check this option to use the VMware Consolidated Backup file compression for the VMDK files. If you select this option, the backup is smaller and there is less data to move across the network or place on the tape.

    Export as a single file

    Check this option to have the data backed up as a single, self-contained file. If you select this option, you have a single file to manage.

    Split into multiple 2 gigabyte files

    Check this option to have the data backed up as multiple 2-gigabyte files. If you select this option, you must manage multiple files.

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

    Check this option to enable the restore of individual files and folders from virtual machines. This option is for virtual machines that use a Windows operating system only.

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

    Use the local media server as the VCB proxy

    Check this option to use the local computer as the VMware Consolidated Backup (VCB) proxy. The VCB proxy relays backup requests from the media server to the VirtualCenter or the ESX server.

    Whether you use the local media server or a remote server as the VCB proxy server depends on how you set up your VMware environment.

    See About configuring the environment for the Agent for VMware.

    Use a remote VCB proxy

    Check this option to select a remote computer to serve as the VCB proxy server for backup requests from the media server to the VirtualCenter or the ESX server.

    Whether you use the local media server or a remote server as the VCB proxy server depends on how you set up your VMware environment.

    See About configuring the environment for the Agent for VMware.

    Server name

    Select the name of the computer that is to serve as the VCB proxy server.

    Server logon account

    Select the logon account for the VCB proxy server.

    Enter a path on the proxy to store the temporary files that VCB creates

    Type the path on the VCB proxy server for the temporary files.

    Add restored virtual machines to VirtualCenter or ESX Server inventory

    This option is selected by default. If you clear this option, only the selected virtual machine files are staged to the storage location. Otherwise, the entire virtual machine is restored.

    Use this option if the import using the VMware converter fails. You also can use this option if you want to restore a single VMDK that is part of a guest operating system.

    Delete existing machines prior to restore

    Check this option to delete virtual machines during the restore job. If you select this option, the virtual machines may be deleted even if the restore job fails.

    You cannot restore a virtual machine if it already exists on the virtual server.

    Power on virtual machine after restore

    Check this option to turn on a virtual machine after the restore job completes.

    Local media server

    Check this option to use the local computer as the temporary staging server for the restore data.

    Whether you use the local media server or a remote server as the temporary staging server depends on how you set up your VMware environment.

    See About configuring the environment for the Agent for VMware.

    Remote computer

    Check this option to select a remote computer as the temporary staging server for the restore data.

    Whether you use the local media server or a remote server as the temporary staging server depends on how you set up your VMware environment.

    See About configuring the environment for the Agent for VMware.

    Server name

    Select the computer that is to serve as the temporary staging server. This option is available only if you use a remote server for temporary storage.

    Server logon account

    Select the logon account for the temporary staging server. This option is available only if you use a remote computer for temporary storage.

    Path on an NTFS volume that is local to the selected server for temporary storage of restore data

    Type the path for the temporary storage of the data being restored.

  4. Click OK.