vmware cloning and DR
vmware cloning and DR
(OP)
I'm brand new to VMware. I saw this command in VirtualCenter called "clone". Would it be possible to use this as a backup procedure? If I run exchange as a virtual machine, could I clone the VM, then copy that clone to another host for DR?
Thanks.
Thanks.
RE: vmware cloning and DR
While that is one "possible" use for the clone procedure, it is not the intended use. Cloning is done with the VM shut down so if you can actually shut down your Exchange system, this would serve your DR needs.
Otherwise you would need to implement a script based "hot" backup or use one of the 3rd party backup agents that does this. In these cases you only get what VMware calls a "crash consistent" backup, meaning that the file may not be exactly perfect because changes were being made while it was getting backed up.
The recommended solution is to back up your Exchange system as you would on normal hardware, with backup agents inside of the VM.
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RE: vmware cloning and DR
RE: vmware cloning and DR
I'm curious what is required to recover, I know this is a VMware forum, but if the stores and logs are on a SAN, then isn't it feasible to simply restore the VM and reconnect the same drives to the SAN?
I agree that normal tape backup is necessary, but if a copy of a VM can be restored, then exchange will be running, and should recover once the SAN is attached.
There is also VSS to consider.....