Comprehensive Guide to VMware Backup Solutions
It doesn’t matter how big or small your data is, it is always advisable that you backup your files regularly. Keeping updated backups keeps you safe in data loss scenarios, allowing you to easily recover all your files and continue working.
Notwithstanding that there are storage systems and setups (e.g. RAIDs) that offer redundancy and fault tolerance, these storage features do not substitute native backups. However, finding a good VMware backup solution isn’t all that easy, so here’s a comprehensive guide to get you started.
How to Choose the Best VMware Backup Software
In choosing the best VMware backup solution, there are factors you ought to consider to ensure you’re paying for the best backup service. These factors include:
- Reliability and Performance: How reliable is the software in terms of backing up and recovering VMware VMs in particular.
- Scalability and Flexibility: Consider software apps that allow external integrations to improve functions and meet business scalability needs.
- Ease of Use and Management: Intuitive interface and an easy-to-navigate console center to manage operations and activities.
- VM Data Recovery Capabilities: Can the software handle growing data volume from time to time?
- Integration with Existing Infrastructure: You need an app that can integrate with your existing VMware environment and on-premises infrastructure.
- Cost Considerations: Cost of using the software over a long term.
Top VMware Backup Solutions in 2024
1. Veeam Backup & Replication
Veeam Backup & Replication solution is designed for virtual environments and cloud apps, so it integrates directly into your VMware environments.
Key Features
- Software-Defined: The Veeam VMware backup product allows the flexibility to build your backup solution on an existing environment, so you don’t need any additional hardware purchase.
- Agentless and VMware-Native: Veeam software natively supports and complies with all VMware policies; the software offers true agentless protection and object-level recovery from a single image-based backup; no extra overhead is incurred.
- Instant Recovery: The Veeam software is equipped with a next-generation Instant Recovery Engine to help you achieve business continuity and avoid downtimes.
- Monitoring and Analytics: This VMware backup software provides proactive management of all your VMware backups with monitoring and analytics features.
Pros
- Highly customizable with flexible settings
- Native support for VMware environments
- Fully cloud options are available
- Highly reliable and intuitive to use
Cons
- One of the most expensive VMware backup solutions you can get
Ideal Use Cases: Best for enterprise users in need of a super-reliable and easily scalable virtual environment backup solution.
2. Acronis Cyber Backup
Acronis Cyber Backup (now called Acronis Cyber Protect) is backup solution for VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, and other popular ones. It delivers cyber protection while also allowing you to back up your virtual environments to restore them in a few clicks.
Key Features
- Disk Image Backup: Acronis Cyber Protect runs a complete disk-image backup for your VMware environment, so during recovery, no reconfiguration will be required.
- Backup Protection: Your backups are further protected against modern cyber threats, and the software runs routine service availability checks with pre-defined scripts.
- Near-Instant Recovery: The Acronis Cyber Protect promises 15 seconds of RTOs for vSphere VMs and ESXi hosts to bare metal (even on dissimilar hardware).
- Remote Management of Multi-Tenants: You can easily manage your files remotely and delegate administrations.
Pros
- Routine malware checks to ensure maximum protection
- Supports other hypervisors and not only VMware
- Flexible reporting features
- End-to-end encryption
Cons
- Cloud storage is offered as a separate product
- The remote management feature is not automatic
Ideal Use Cases: Best for admins who run multi-hypervisors from different providers or have multi-tenants on a single hypervisor.
3. Nakivo Backup & Replication
Nakivo software is backup software solution for hard disk, virtual disk, and cloud environment backups. This software offers support for VMware v5.5 – 8.0.2 and allows for cloud backup integration – it also supports agentless VMware backups.
Key Features
- Agentless Backups: This tool uses VMware’s native snapshot technology to offer agentless backups with advanced integrations for reliable data protection.
- VMware CBT Suppor: The NAKIVO backup software uses the native VMware Changed Block Tracking (CBT) to track data changes in incremental, application-consistent backups.
- Cross-Platform Support: Enable application-aware mode if you want to often recover data from other servers (Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange Server, SQL Server, etc.)
Create replicas from source VMs or from backups to ensure better availability and operational continuity in case of failures.
Pros
- Stores VMware backups on different targets
- Built-in VMware VM replication engine
- Super-intuitive interface
- Can create air-gapped backups
Cons
- Not feature-rich compared to alternatives
Ideal Use Cases: Cost-effective option for home users who only have a handful of data to back up.
4. Vembu BDR Suite
Vembu’s BDR Suite is backup and restore solution for enterprise businesses and SPs. This software package is also recommended by Amazon for its AWS platform.
Key Features
- Automated Backups: This software offers automated backup verification with screenshots.
- Agentless VM Backup: Vembu BDR suite also supports VMware’s agentless backup technique to reduce overhead costs.
- Flexible Deployment: You can deploy anywhere: on-premises, offsite, or in the cloud. Hybrid deployment is also supported.
Pros
- Very flexible and intuitive
- Active support
- Supports a wide variety of products
- Centralized management console
Cons
- The main interface is web-only, which may not be convenient for everyone
Ideal Use Cases: As a universal backup solution, the Vembu suite comes in handy for various applications.
5. Altaro VM Backup
Altaro VM Backup gives you control over your backup files and offers features to interest businesses and home users. The client app features a clear interface, and centralized management console.
Key Features
- Backup and Replication: Also allows you to replicate the data to a removable storage or offsite location.
- Malware-Protection: Just lLeverages Immutable Cloud Storage to protect your backups.
- Multi Hypervisor Support: Backup data on other popular hypervisors, like Microsoft Hyper-V.
Pros
- Intuitive client app
- Allows you to save to multiple offsite locations
- You can back up live VMs
- Continuous Data Protection (CDP)
Cons
- Works mainly for VMware and Hyper-V VMs
Ideal Use Cases: Good for individuals and enterprise businesses, thanks to the flexible plans.
6. Commvault Complete Backup & Recovery
Commvault offers backup solution for virtual environments with a main target of enterprise businesses.
Key Features
- Storage Flexibility: Different storage options with integrated SaaS delivery to deliver air-gapped cloud storage with public cloud SPs.
- Damage Prevention: Commvault’s solution delivers damage protection through immutability – protecting your files against zero-day threats and stopping infections.
- Data Integrity: Detect activity and threats leveraging custom scripts to protect your files from disclosure and theft.
Pros
- Superior data protection and reliability
- Responsive customer support and a vast knowledgebase
- Complies with industry policies
Cons
- Only meant for enterprise businesses
Ideal Use Cases: Meant for use in enterprise environments where big data is stored on virtual machines.
7. Rubrik
Rubrik backs up your VMware VM with policy-driven intelligence. With the Rubrik, you can consolidate disparate hardware and software components into a single data management plane.
Key Features
- Solid-Proof Environments: Rubrik lets you cyber-proof your VMware environments leveraging advanced data security protocols for rapid recovery at any scale.
- SLA Automation: Automate data protection with SLA-based policies and integrate with vRealize and/or Cloud Director for critical data management.
- Threat Monitoring & Hunting: Prevent malware reinfection by looking into the time-series history of data.
Pros
- Point-in-time recovery
- Continuous data protection
- Array-based snapshot integrations
Cons
- Very expensive and complex to fully comprehend
Ideal Use Cases: For individuals or companies looking for an all-compassing data management and backup solution for their virtual environments.
DiskInternals VMFS Recovery as the Solution
VMware environments, which are often the backbone of enterprise IT infrastructures, require robust backup and recovery solutions to ensure data protection and minimize downtime. DiskInternals VMFS Recovery emerges as a powerful tool designed to address these needs, offering a reliable and efficient way to recover data from damaged or inaccessible VMware VMFS (Virtual Machine File System) partitions.
Note: VMware file typesKey Features of DiskInternals VMFS Recovery
1. Comprehensive Recovery Capabilities:
DiskInternals VMFS Recovery is equipped to handle a wide range of recovery scenarios, from accidental deletions to corruption of VMFS partitions. The software can recover VMware virtual machine files, including snapshots and configuration files, ensuring that even complex VMware environments can be fully restored.
2. Support for Various VMware Versions:
The tool is compatible with multiple versions of VMware ESXi and vSphere, making it a versatile solution for enterprises using different iterations of VMware. This ensures that organizations can rely on DiskInternals VMFS Recovery regardless of their specific VMware setup.
3. Advanced Scanning Options:
DiskInternals VMFS Recovery offers both fast and deep scanning options, allowing users to tailor the recovery process to their specific needs. The fast scan quickly identifies recoverable files, while the deep scan thoroughly examines the VMFS partition to recover as much data as possible, even from severely damaged disks.
4. User-Friendly Interface:
The software is designed with a user-friendly interface, making it accessible to IT professionals with varying levels of expertise. The step-by-step recovery process guides users through the entire procedure, from scanning the VMFS partition to restoring lost data, ensuring a smooth and efficient recovery experience.
5. Preview Functionality:
Before committing to the recovery, DiskInternals VMFS Recovery allows users to preview the files it can recover. This feature helps in verifying the integrity of the files and ensures that the recovery process is focused on the most critical data.
Benefits of Using DiskInternals VMFS Recovery for VMware Environments
1. Minimized Downtime:
By providing a quick and reliable recovery process, DiskInternals VMFS Recovery helps organizations minimize downtime, which is crucial for maintaining business continuity. The ability to recover essential virtual machines rapidly ensures that operations can resume with minimal disruption.
2. Cost-Effective Solution:
DiskInternals VMFS Recovery offers a cost-effective alternative to more complex and expensive backup and recovery solutions. It provides essential recovery capabilities without the need for additional hardware or expensive software licenses, making it a practical choice for organizations of all sizes.
3. Enhanced Data Protection:
With its robust recovery features, DiskInternals VMFS Recovery enhances data protection in VMware environments. Whether facing a hardware failure, file system corruption, or accidental deletion, the tool ensures that critical data can be retrieved and restored efficiently.
4. Flexibility in Recovery Scenarios:
The software’s ability to recover data from various types of storage, including local disks, RAID arrays, and SAN/NAS devices, adds flexibility to the recovery process. This versatility makes DiskInternals VMFS Recovery a valuable tool for diverse IT infrastructures.
Ready to get your data back?
To start recovering your data, documents, databases, images, videos, and other files, press the FREE DOWNLOAD button below to get the latest version of DiskInternals VMFS Recovery® and begin the step-by-step recovery process. You can preview all recovered files absolutely for FREE. To check the current prices, please press the Get Prices button. If you need any assistance, please feel free to contact Technical Support. The team is here to help you get your data back!
Conclusion
With the rising adaptation of AI and ML algorithms by software developers, virtual environment backup solutions are expected to improve in many aspects and integrate automated cybersecurity features. The future of VMware backup solutions looks very promising, as multiple tasks are now getting automated while remaining compliant with industry policies and encryption standards.
These backup solutions are among the best to choose from, and if you didn’t make any prior backup before losing your VMware VM files, DiskInternals VMFS Recovery can help to get back the lost files; the software runs on all Windows OS versions, and editions, and is easy to use, whether it’s a complete novice trying out VMware recovery for the first time or a professional.
FAQ
What is the best way to backup a VM?
The best way to back up a virtual machine (VM) is to use a dedicated backup solution designed for virtualization, which offers features like incremental backups and scheduling. Applications like Veeam, Acronis, or Nakivo can streamline the backup process and ensure consistent snapshots without disrupting VM operations. Another effective method is to leverage the built-in snapshot functionality of the hypervisor, allowing you to create a point-in-time backup of the VM. It's also essential to store backups offsite or in the cloud to protect against local disasters. Regularly testing the backups for integrity and restore capabilities ensures that you can recover the VM when needed.
Does VMware has a backup solution?
Yes, VMware offers its own backup solution called VMware vSphere Data Protection (VDP), designed to integrate seamlessly with VMware environments. This solution provides image-level backups of virtual machines, allowing for quick and efficient recovery. However, VDP has been deprecated, and VMware recommends using third-party solutions that integrate with vSphere, such as Veeam Backup & Replication or Rubrik. These third-party tools offer advanced features like incremental backups, deduplication, and granular recovery options, enhancing backup efficiency and flexibility. Therefore, while VMware provides backup capabilities, leveraging a dedicated third-party solution is often the preferred approach for comprehensive data protection in VMware environments.
What are the different types of VM backups?
There are several different types of VM backups, including full, incremental, differential, and snapshot backups. A full backup captures the entire VM, including all data and settings, providing a complete restore point. Incremental backups only save changes made since the last backup, which conserves storage space and reduces backup time. In contrast, differential backups capture changes made since the last full backup, requiring slightly more storage and time than incremental backups but allowing for simpler restores. Finally, snapshot backups create a point-in-time copy of the VM's state and data, enabling quick recovery options, but they should be used cautiously, as keeping too many snapshots can lead to performance issues and increased disk usage.