Moving To Vmware

[jwc1972]

Hello

We are converting  our machine to vmware. we are runniung Backup Exec 12.5. The question is does symantec backup vmware host, do we need to but a VM licence?

[ArulPrasad]

Hello,

Yese 12.5 Does support Vmware backup.

The Only Limitation Is You need to usea Proxy server for VCB proxy with backup exec 12.5 to do the vmware backup.

You just Need to have the Licence for Vmware for Each host (Unlimited Vm on each Host).

The Best recommendation would be To get the backup exec to 2010 r3 which in turn uses Vmware Vstorage API for backup and restore. (No Proxy server required)

Regards

Arul

[ZeRoC00L]

It depends on the vmware version you are using/going to use.

Vsphere 5 does not support VCB anymore, only the storage VAPI, so if you implement that version you definitely have to upgrade to BE2010R3.

[CraigV]

...matter of interest, but are you looking at virtualising your backup server too, or keeping that a physical server?

If you are converting to a VM too, you need to read the TN below:

http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH130609&actp=search&viewlocale=en_...

[Colin_Weaver]

Not really sure why someone scored Craig a -1 point for his answer as I also think that the original poster (OP) might be considering virtualizing his Backup Exec Media server, which means Craig has provided a valid point and the OP needs to be aware of the limitations around backup up to Tape (or USB disk) using pass-through if the media server is a VM.

[jwc1972]

Hi Craig

Cheers for replying, we made a bit of a mess we start with vmware esi 4.0 the person who did this left the company, the new person always used citrix so we went down that road. does symantec support xenserver?

Now that person has left  now it down to me! What the cost of upgrading to 2010? I like version 12.5 alot

Cheers

[teiva-boy]

If you are under maintenance for BackupExec, the upgrade is free to the latest version.  Always.  You just need to get new license keys from licensing.symantec.com

If you are not under maintenance, here is your best option:

http://www.symantec.com/business/theme.jsp?themeid=be_offers

XEN is supported..  In that, you'll treat each virtual guest as a physical machine and install an agent in it.  In fact, I'd argue you could even take advantage of the virtual agent licensing even though you are not using the VMware api's...  That would be the case with NetBackup and other backup vendor's products.

VMware is still the far superior product since it has the backup api's and wide industry support.

[ZeRoC00L]

JWC1972: You mention ESXi, do you have a licensed version or the free version ?

In order go have the Storage VAPI working, you will need a licensed copy of ESXi running.

[jwc1972]

Hello

Its a Free version of ESXi 4.1

[pkh]

BE 2010 uses the vStorage API, so the free version of ESX would not work as the vStorage API only comes with the licenced version of ESX.