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ESXi restore

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We currently have a ESXi 5.1 server running with Acronis VMProtect, latest version/build.
Backups are running ok without problems.

However we need to replace our disks where our ESXi OS en config is stored with bigger ones. Before we configure a new raid, we wanted to make an extra back-up with the Acronis VMProtect boot cd. The cd boots without problems and we are able to make a backup of the ESXi OS.

When we try to restore the back-up with the cd, Acronis is unable to locate the backup in the folder where the backup is made. The backup file is there, but Acronis says the folder is empty. We tried other backup media, but the problem does not go away.

Also the backups that are made daily with VMProtect are unable to be found when using the Acronis CD.

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Posts: 22
Comments: 3800

Hi Stijn,

The process of bare-metal recovery of ESXi host is in fact different from the way you described. You should not boot your ESXi from the bootable media to perform the backup. This backup cannot be restored to bare-metal. The proper process is as follows:

1) Deploy virtual appliance (or install Windows Agent) and connect it to your ESXi host
2) Create ESXi configuration backup with this appliance/Agent saving it to some network share (e.g. NAS)
3) Create VM backup (usual backup) of all VMs on the host saving it to the same location
4) Replace the RAID in your ESXi host
5) Boot the ESXi host from the bootable media
6) Run the ESXi host recovery wizard in the bootable media and point it to archive created at step 2
7) In the same wizard specify the VM backups location (created at step 3) + specify the volumes (on new RAID) which will be used for datastores
8) Execute the wizard

Upon first bootup of the ESXi host there will be new datastore(s) created on volumes specified at step 7 and the ESXi configuration will be restored. The VMs will also be restored automatically using the VM backup location specified at step 7.

You can check additional details here: http://www.acronis.com/support/documentation/AVMP9/index.html#18133.html

NOTE: if you run ESXi in static IP environment then you should use vmProtect 9 beta (http://forum.acronis.com/forum/42675) where we have added support for static IP addressing for recovery of ESXi.

Thank you.
--
Best regards,
Vasily
Acronis vmProtect Program Manager