CA ARCserve Backup r12 - Agent for VMware Integration with VCB

CA ARCserve Backup r12 leverages VMware VCB technology to allow backup of Virtual Machines over a shared storage area such as SAN or iSCSI, eliminating any performance impact while providing granular data restore capabilities at file level. CA ARCserve makes the Virtual Machine backup extremely simple by integrating the VCB technology seamlessly into the overall CA ARCserve backup process.

Overview
CA ARCserve Agent for VMware allows you to backup Virtual Machines (VMs) running on VMware ESX Server. The Agent for VMware is also integrated with VMware VirtualCenter to backup VMs on multiple ESX Servers, managed by VirtualCenter. VMs can be backed up at File level and Raw (Full) level. File level backup sessions can be restored to the original location, giving an impression that the files were backed up from the local machine. Full level backup session can be restored in the event of a failure of the entire VM. CA ARCserve Agent for VMware uses VCB to offload VM backup activity to a dedicated backup proxy system through the CA ARCserve Client Agent for Windows.

Benefits
Backs up VMs over SAN or iSCSI, without impacting production server performance by leveraging VMware VCB capabilities. File level back up of VMs over SAN or iSCSI to retain granular restore capabilities. Performs full, incremental, or differential backups. With CA ARCserve Backup and VCB, agents are no lon ger ne ed ed on ev ery vir tua l ma c hi ne for backup purposes. Overhead on the host ESX Server with either the Service Console or the VMs themselves is eliminated.

Install
The CA ARCserve Backup Agent for VMware can be installed during or after installing CA ARCserve Primary or Standalone server. It is mandatory to install the Client Agent for Windows on the backup proxy system. A separate license is required for each ESX server. The licenses for the agent are registered on the CA ARCserve Backup Primary or Standalone server.
Back up VMs via an external backup proxy using the CA ARCserve Backup Agent for VMware

VM Disk Files stored in LUN

Objective: Protecting VMs through CA ARCserve Backup Agent for VMware. Scenario 1: To protect VMs on SAN/iSCSI through ESX server and Backup proxy.

SAN/iSCSI LUN
ESX1 ESX2

Scenario 2: To protect VMs on SAN/iSCSI through VirtualCenter and Backup Proxy. 1

Backup Proxy: CA ARCserve Backup Client Agent for Windows & VMware VCB Framework installed

Process: When you submit a backup of a VM from the backup server, the Client Agent for Windows running on the backup proxy, initiates the backup process. The agent mounts/exports the VM residing on SAN/iSCSI through VCB to a temporary location on the backup proxy. The ARCserve server backs up the VM files from the temporary location on the proxy. All systems are connected through Ethernet network.

VirtualCenter: Managing multiple ESX Servers

Backup Server: CA ARCserve Backup Server with the Agent for VMware installed

Populating ESX Environments

Before running a backup, the ARCserve database needs to be populated with VM information on ESX Server, by running the ARCserve VMware Configuration Tool. The ARCserve VMware Configuration Tool (VCBUI.exe) can be launched from the Backup proxy server.

Running a Backup
Backup of VMs is performed by following the normal procedure by expanding the VMware VCB Systems tree from within the CA ARCserve Backup Manager. For Windows VMs, File-mode or Raw-mode option can be specified according to the requirement. For non-Windows VMs, Raw mode option is applicable. Once a backup is initiated from the Backup Manager, the Agent for VMware makes a call to the VCB running on the backup proxy. Depending on the backup mode selected, Agent for VMware performs the backup in accordance with the method chosen as described below: File Mode: Uses VCB snapshot technology to mount VMs on backup proxy. Here you can specify filters too. Using this method, results in a snapshot of the VM being mounted onto a specified folder (mount path) in the Backup Proxy. Raw Mode: Uses VCB snapshot technology to export entire VM image to local disk on backup proxy. Using this method results in exporting of the VM onto a specified folder (mount path) in the Backup Proxy.

Running a Restore
Restore of VMs can be performed at two levels File and Raw level. File level restore can be done to an original or an alternate location. This level of restore is used to restore file level data that was backed up on a VM, when a file is corrupted or deleted by error. Raw VM can be restored to an alternate location and then copied to the ESX Server. After copying, run the VCB Restore utility provided by VMware to make the VM operational.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. A. How do we protect VMs residing on local disk of ESX Server? VMs residing on local disk of ESX Server can be protected in two ways: Either by using CAs Scripted solution with pre-post Perl scripts, which are bundled along with Client Agent for Linux or by installing CA ARCserve Backup Agents on the respective Virtual Machines. What are the different kinds of backups that can be done for ESX server VMs? The different kinds of backups that can be done for ESX server VMs are File mode and Full (Raw) mode.

Q. A.

Summary
The integrated CA ARCserve r12 and Agent for VMware lets Administrators achieve really fast backups with zero overheads on the VM, ESX Server, network, and the host, leading to quicker management and total confidence for a costeffective solution. To get maximum value from your investment in CA software, CA Education can help you get the right training for your unique challenges. Visit http://ca.com/education for additional information.

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