Configuring backups for specific VMware ESXi or Windows servers

By bringing backups back to the data center, the Core eliminates the requirement and infrastructure of running backups at the remote branches. Data from the branch is always synced back to the data center so you can schedule application-consistent backups of the branch VMs and servers. Once the snapshot reaches the data center, the Core triggers the application-consistent snapshot on the supported array and automatically mounts the snapshot to a proxy host. The backup software on the storage array can then perform the backups through the proxy host in the data center.

Note: The backups configuration described in this section is applicable only to the Cores operating in ESXi hypervisor mode.

• If you have configured backups prior to version 4.6 - We recommend migrating from LUN-based to server-based backups (available as of version 4.6). The wizards on the Configure > Data Protection: Backups page simplify the process of configuring and managing ESXi and Windows server backups. You can back up all Edges or specific Edges, and at a more granular level you can back up all servers or VMs, or a specific server.

• If you have not configured backups prior to version 4.6 - Any backups created as of version 4.6 will be server-based.

For details and instructions on migrating from LUN-based backups to server-based backups, see the SteelFusion Backup Solution Guide on the Riverbed Community site at https://community.riverbed.com/helpcenter/s/article/DOC-5611.

Note: If you are currently performing LUN-based backups and snapshots are failing, this may be due to connectivity issues. If you are considering migrating from LUN-based to server-based backups to address this, follow the steps in Troubleshooting before proceeding. For details on migration, see the SteelFusion Design Guide.