HP Data Protector A.06.11 Support for VMware vStorage

vStorage Image backup method

For the vStorage Image backup method provided by the Data Protector VMware vStorage

integration, a single central backup host can be used to back up all virtual machines hosted by

vCenter or ESX/ESXi servers in a Data Protector cell. This backup host can be the Cell Manager or

any other dedicated host, or virtual machine. The important thing is that it has the Data Protector

Virtual Environment Integration component installed. This method uses the vStorage technology

provided by VMware. For details, see the VMware documentation.

During a vStorage Image backup, the Virtual Environment Integration component first establishes

connections between the backup host and the virtualization host. It then requests a snapshot of the

virtual machine that is to be backed up, via the vStorage API. This snapshot is used for VM

operation during the period of the backup, leaving the VM consistent for the backup.

The Virtual Environment Integration component then opens the virtual machine disks across the

network, initializes the Media Agent client and controls the transfer to it of the virtual machine and

all its associated data.