If you are considering server virtualization technology and already utilize Symantec Backup Exec software solution suite then you need to consider their virtualization agents for VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V. Both agents do a decent job as a backup for the virtual servers and utilize Symantec’s Granular Recovery Technology (GRT) to take full guest system backups, with the option to recover individual files, folders, MS SQL, Exchange and Active Directory, without recovering the complete virtual guest server. They also have the option to do Disk-to-Disk-to-Disk/Tape to provide an even more flexible option to store backups to different media. Here are some highlights of the features and benefits of both agents.
Backup Exec 2010 Agent for VMware
- Incorporates and supports with VMware technologies including vStorage, API’s for Data Protection, vCenter, VMotion, ESX/ESXi and VMware tools
- Block-level incremental and differential backup of VMware guests systems. This provides the ability to backup changed data from the last full backup, which can help cut down the time the backup takes.
- Incorporates with Backup Exec 2010’s Deduplication option to provide even more enhanced reductions in storage costs of VMware guest backups. In addition, it has the capability to integrate with the incremental and differential backups to provide even better storage space efficiencies.
Video: Demo Symantec Backup Exec 2010 VMware Full Backup
Video: Demo Symantec Backup Exec 2010 VMware Restore
Backup Exec 2010 Agent for Microsoft Hyper-V
- You only need to install the Agent on the Hyper-V Host to backup all virtual machines. This is done by utilizing MS VSS snapshots.
- Support for Hyper-V R2 Cluster Shared Volumes (CSV), with the ability to backup High Available (HA) configuration of virtual guest machines.
- Automatically adds new virtual guest machines to the backup job when new systems are added to the Hyper-V environment.
Both of these agents will provide the core functionality of doing a backup of the virtual guest machines. The licensing for these agents is typically tied to Host of the virtual environment. So if you have three hosts, you will need 3 VMware or Hyper-V Agents. Also consider the agents for the other MS products, like Exchange, SQL and Active Directory. Adding these agents will provide even more options to do restore and recovery of your virtual server environment. However, many do feel the VMware option to do incremental and differential backups are a leg up over the Hyper-V. Therefore, if you already have some of the hardware and software solutions for Symantec Backup Exec then these agents could also provide a cost savings vs. purchasing a newer backup solution suite.
