Backup Software for VMWare ESX...

[mvbighead]

What do you use and why?

We currently backup VMs much like any other server, though bare-metal backups are ideal for obvious reasons. Looking to purchase some software, and have begun investigating options.

Presently testing both PHDVirtual and Veeam Backup and Replication.

I like Veeam's ability to backup from the local storage on any of my hosts, and manage everything out of one console.

PHD seems to do a very good job of retaining a lot of data (images/etc) using very little disk space, but I've been told by the support that if backing up from local storage, I need a console on every host.

So, what do you use, do you like, and what would you recommend?

 

[imagoon]

I currently use Backup Exec with the VMWare option to backup directly off my SAN. Once the VMDK's are backed up, individual files can be restored to the VM's from the VMDK's all in side BE.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

vRanger

 

[pmark]

bringing this up from the dead. Is Veeam still the first choice when backing up VMware ESXi?

 

[drebo]

Seams to be the overwhelmingly preferred method, yes.

 

[imagoon]

I think Veeam is for most things. I haven't messed with the current release but there was some things Backup exec did better, like integrating and backing up your non-VM servers, and single item exchange / SQL restores as well.

 

[yinan]

VEEAM it is awesome, does dedupe and allows for easy bare metal VM restores.

 

[pmark]

Anyone have experience with PHD Virtual?

 

[rsutoratosu]

i tried phd for a bit, its not bad but the pricing is different, ie 4 stream vs 8 stream backup. 8 stream is faster but cost more than veeam.

just dont leave your real number when doing eval, the guy calls my gv number daily even after I told him we're holding off on buying it now..

 

[ViviTheMage]

I use netapp snapshots, but that is a netapp thing, haha.

 

[KentState]

We purchased Veeam when we implemented VMWare and a SAN this month. Was the best overall option and played very well with Data Domain.