User`s guide

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You can create both static and dynamic groups of virtual machines. Any virtual machine that is
currently available can be added to a static group. You cannot create groups that contain both
physical and virtual machines.
The dynamic membership criteria for virtual machines are as follows:
Virtualization server type (Hyper-V, ESX/ESXi).
Using this criterion, you can create a dynamic group of virtual machines hosted on all registered
Hyper-V (or ESX/ESXi, respectively) servers. Any machine added to the servers will appear in this
group. Any machine deleted from the servers will disappear from this group.
Host/VA
Using this criterion, you can create a dynamic group of virtual machines hosted on a specified
virtualization server or managed by the specified virtual appliance.
7.1.4.2. Deploying Agent for ESX/ESXi
Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Management Server provides an easy way to deploy Agent for
ESX/ESXi to every VMware ESX or ESXi server whose virtual machines you want to back up.
A virtual appliance with an agent will be created on every ESX/ESXi server you specify and registered
on the management server. Virtual machines, dynamically grouped by their hosts, will appear on the
management server and you will be able to apply backup policies to the virtual machines or back up
each machine individually.
If you are using VMware vSphere, it is recommended that you integrate (p. 333) the management
server with your vCenter Server before starting the agent deployment. You will not have to specify
every host manually in this case.
To deploy Agent for ESX/ESXi to VMware ESX/ESXi servers:
1. In the Navigation tree, right click Virtual machines or right click the group that has the same
name as the vCenter Server.
2. Click Deploy ESX agent.
3. ESX/ESXi hosts
For a vCenter Server, a list of ESX/ESXi hosts obtained from the vCenter Server will be displayed.
Select the hosts to deploy the agent to, or check the Select all check box.
You can add a single host to the list by specifying its IP address or name. Provide a user name and
password for every host you add to the list. A vCenter Server cannot be specified in this window.
4. [Optional] The agents' settings
You can deploy Agents for ESX/ESXi with default settings or specify custom settings for any agent.
The settings are as follows:
Datastore: This is the datastore on the ESX/ESXi host where the virtual appliance will be stored.
Network interface: This is the host's internal network the virtual appliance will be included in. If
there are multiple networks on the host, the program selects the one that is more suitable for the
agent operation and specifies this network as default. Only those networks that have a
connection to the host's Service Console (or Management Network, in terms of the VMware
Infrastructure) are available for selection. This is critical to the operation of the agent.