Disaster Recovery Solutions with Virtual Infrastructure:

Backup and Recovery

Paul NashawatySession SLN104B

What to Expect from This SessionAn understanding of how to protect your data in virtualized environments using backup methodologyUnderstanding disk structures, files and redo technologiesWhy and when to use different backup method

AgendaIntroduction

Disk structure of ESX Server Disk files and redo logs

Accessing and managing virtual disk files Management of virtual machines

As physical machines As files on ESX Server As files on shared storage

Backing up the service console

Disk Structure of ESX ServerVMware File System (VMFS)

Simple and high-performance Raw Device Mappings

Connect the raw LUN to virtual machine

Disk Files and Redo LogsDisk files

Default state, a virtual machine disk is simply a single file Changes written directly to .vmdk file example: disk.vmdk

Redo logsAdded to a .vmdk file All writes are “trapped” in the redo log example: disk.vmdk.REDORecommend maximum of two log files per VMFS volumeRedo logs used for disk snapshots technology

Managing Virtual Disk Files

Virtual disk files on VMFS are accessible through ESX Server, Virtual Center and SDKsvmkfstools command

Add redo log, commit a redo log, and export .dsk files most vmkfstools operations can be performed in VMware Management Interface (web-based tool)

What to Backup on ESX ServerVirtual disksVirtual machine configuration filesThe configuration of the ESX Server Console

How? VMware virtual machines can be backed up using three different approaches:

1.Backup clients from within a virtual machine performing file-level or system level backups. Treating virtual machines as a physical.

2.Backup clients’ agents from the ESX Server service console, backing up virtual machines in their entirety as .dsk and/or .vmdk files residing in the ESX Server VMFS file system. Treating virtual machines as files.

3.Back up virtual machine data by running a backup server within a virtual machine that is connected to a tape drive or other SCSI-based backup media attached to the physical system.

Treating Virtual Machines as Physical Machines

AdvantagesFile-level backup and restoration Choice of backup software Applications can be quiesced

DisadvantagesCan not take advantage of the encapsulation Can not back up and restore the virtual machine as a whole

Backing Up Virtual Machines as Physical Machines

Compatible with the following virtual driver formats:

Virtual disks (all formats)RDM disks (all formats)

Points to consider Is backup server on a physical or virtual machineThe network configurationType of long term storage

Operating SystemBackup Agent

Operating SystemBackup Agent

Operating SystemBackup Agent

Operating SystemBackup Agent

Implementation Steps:Backup Virtual Machine as Physical

SetupNetwork configurationInstall backup agentBackup and recovery options

Tape Array

Backup Server

Treating Virtual Machines asFiles on ESX Server

Backup occurs from the service console via file systemAdvantages

Simple view of backups and restorations One step backup/restore

DisadvantagesNo file-level restorations Not great for large virtual machines

Backup/Recovery of theESX Server Service Console

Can be recovered without much trouble Removes the need to back up the service console as frequently Using a Backup Agent on the Service Console

Advantage: similar to a standard network backup Disadvantage: places a heavy load on the service console

ESX Server Service Console Implementation Steps

Install the backup agent on the service consoleInstall the backup server on a separate platform, which could be a physical or a virtual machineEnsure network connectivity between the service console and the backup serverMake sure the VMFS is mounted on the service consoleSchedule the backups and manage the tapes as directed by the documentation for the backup programSchedule the virtual machine power-down and power-up cycle to match the backup schedule

Backup/Recovery of theESX Server Service Console

Tape Array

Backup Server

Creating Backup Copies ofVirtual Machine Files on ESX Server

ConsiderCan you shut down the virtual machine for the duration or to take a snapshotUsing backup tools or built-in VMware file operationsBackup tool of choice qualified with the service console

vmsnap, addredo.pl or Backup agent

Backing up Virtual Machines Online1. Configure network

connectivity.2. Install appropriate client on

the ESX Server Service Console

3. Run vmsnap.pl to create a local backup of the virtual machine.

4. On the backup server specify the ESX Server hosting the virtual machines to be backed up.

5. You may need to enter the fully qualified path to the files of vmsnap output, in this case:/vmimages/winXPProbackup/WinXPPro/*

6. Start Manual Backup

Example:root@localhost M1winXPPro]# vmsnap.pl -c

/root/vmware/VM1winXPPro/winXPPro.vmx-d /vmimages/winXPProbackup -l

vmsnap: virtual machine config file is '/root/vmware/VM1winXPPro/winXPPro.vmx'

vmsnap: Local Directory is '/vmimages/winXPProbackup'

vmsnap: This virtual machine will only be backed up locally.

vmsnap: Disks found that are in use:vmsnap: Disk found: scsi0:0

(vmhba0:1:0:1:VM1_Empty.vmdk)vmsnap: 1: scsi0:0vmsnap: Creating the RedoLogs for cfg :

/root/vmware/VM1winXPPro/winXPPro.vmxvmsnap: scsi0:0:Adding REDOvmsnap: scsi0:0: BACKUP STARTING NOW...local dir : /vmimages/winXPProbackup has 656960k

space/vmfs/vmhba0:1:0:1/VM1_Empty.vmdk size :

2048000 k

Built-in VMware File Operations Compatible with virtual disksVmkfstools

Handles files larger than 2 GB Guarantees good read and write performance to the VMFS partition

Migration Convert ESX Server format to format of GSX Server and VMware Workstation and vice versa Portable

Built-in VMware File Operationsvmsnap

Performs ESX Server snapshots Backup of disks, config, log and nvram

vmresRestoration of the previously archived virtual machine Can be used to migrate backups from one ESX Server to another

Third-Party ToolsesxRanger - perform online hot backups of guest operating systems on VMware ESX Server (www.vizioncore.com)vmbak.pl - perl script procedure to permit VMware ESX guest's hot backup (www.vmts.net/vmbk.htm)

Backup Options to Consider

Backup off-loadingSnapshot functionality of storage area networks

SAN imageSAN vendor to create backup images

Server-based replicationReplication agent in each of the virtual machines

Treating Virtual Machines as Files on Shared Storage

SAN-based imagingOff-load backup resource demands and resourcesNo resource contention on ESX host Enables LAN-free backupTypically will not require backup agents in virtual machinesBetter performance using fiber channel transfer rate

New Feature inESX 3.0 RapidBackup

RapidBackup is a new, backup solution for ESX + SANBackup is offloaded to a dedicated hostSupports different backup flavors

File-level backup (Windows guests)Full virtual machine backup (all guests)

Works with existing third-party backup softwareDetailed Session: PAC484: Consolidated Backup with ESX Server: In-depth Review

Using Specialized ESX Server for Backup

Uses ESX Server’s built-in snapshot function: rapid backupAdvantages

Consistent methodology is used for all SAN-stored data backups do not overload the service console

DisadvantagesShared storage Backup image is “crash consistent”

Implementation Steps for Specialized ESX Server 1. Using the SAN management software,

schedule snapshots on the disk backend.2. Schedule the backups of the SAN snapshots

and manage the tapes as directed by the documentation for your backup program.

Using Specialized ESX Server for Backup

T ape Array

Backup Server

Production Server B ackup Server

Backup/DR Options and SessionsArray-based cloning

SLN381: VMware with EMC CLARiiONSLN521: Storage Best Practices for VMware ESX Server 2.xPAC267-B: ESX Server Storage II: Tips and TricksSLN539: HP StorageWorks VMware Solutions and More...

Host-based cloningSLN494: Leveraging Replication with Virtual Machines

Labs and sessionsLAB003: Virtual Infrastructure in Production: Backup and Disaster RecoveryPAC484: Consolidated Backup with ESX Server: In-depth Review

SummaryUnderstanding of disk structures, files, and redo logsUnderstanding of method to protect data in virtualized environmentWhen,why and how to backup ESX Server and virtual machine

As filesLike physical machinesOffload backup

ReferenceVMware ESX Server Using Raw Device Mapping: http://www.vmware.com/pdf/esx/esx25_rawdevicemapping.pdfESX Server Administration Guide, (pp290 for vmkfstools): http://www.vmware.com/support/esx25/doc/admin/index.htmlBackup Compatibility Guide: http://www.vmware.com/pdf/esx_backup_guide.pdf

Questions?

Creating Backup Copies ofVirtual Machine Files on ESX Server

vmsnap , addredo.plor Backup agent