What vSphere license is required to take a VM level backup using NetBackup 7.6 +

[Sultan_ao]

Hi All, 

I have an issue with a VMWARE ESXI 5.5 host with a free license installed.

I usually take backup using Netbackup for all VMs in the host, and have faced no issue in the evaluation period.

After installing the free license , and therfore limiting some features, I have ran into an issue with status issue 156 and snapshot not being performed , and therfore backup as well.

After digging around, I found that netbackup doesn't work well with free license of ESXI , and hence have searched to see which features are required by NetBackup to perfrom the job gracefully.

I am opting for the essentials licence that adds support for vStorage APIs. Do I need anything other than that API unlocked to perform VM level backup ?

Here are some information that might be needed:

VMs guest operating systems : Winodws server 2008R2 and above as well as some Linux redhat machines.

Vsphere version : 5.5.0 , build: 2068190.

Backup required: VM level backup and restore capabilites.

Hoping to get an answer from the experts here with sources if available.

[Marianne · Accepted solution]

Another post that seem to have been quarantined by the Connect spam filter for weeks....

The answer to your query can be found in this VMware KB article: 
http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=102117...

What licensing is required to use VMware vSphere Storage APIs – Data Protection?XXXXCX

The Data Protection APIs are included with all licensed vSphere editions: Standard, Enterprise and Enterprise Plus.

For more information about licensing and VMware vSphere Storage APIs – Data Protection, see vSphere Storage APIs.