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Run Hyper-V VMs from backup

Run VMs from backup using live recovery or live mount for fast recovery, backup validation, or testing without performing a full restore.

Live recovery

Start a VM from backup within minutes while the full restore completes in the background. Live recovery minimizes downtime during VM recovery.

How live recovery works

When you enable live recovery during a restore:

  1. The MediaAgent's 3DFS cache creates a network share with VM data.

  2. The VM is imported and started immediately.

  3. The VM reads data on demand from the backup through the 3DFS layer.

  4. The full restore continues in the background.

  5. After an optional delay, storage migrates from 3DFS cache to destination storage.

  6. The VM continues running without interruption during migration.

Perform live recovery

Use live recovery during an in-place or out-of-place restore:

  1. Start a full VM restore (in-place or out-of-place).

  2. On the Restore options page, enable Restore virtual machine using live recovery.

  3. Optionally set a delay migration time (1-12 hours) to keep the VM running from backup before migrating to destination storage.

  4. Click Submit.

The VM starts within minutes and is operational while the full restore completes.

When to use live recovery

  • Minimizing downtime during disaster recovery

  • Rapid recovery for critical workloads

  • Testing disaster recovery procedures

Live mount

Run a VM directly from backup for validation, testing, or short-term data access. Changes aren't persisted to the backup.

How live mount works

When you perform a live mount:

  1. The MediaAgent's 3DFS cache creates a network share with VM data.

  2. The VM is imported and started from the backup.

  3. You interact with the VM for validation, testing, or data access.

  4. When finished, unmount the VM manually or wait for automatic expiration.

  5. Changes made during the live mount session are discarded.

Perform live mount

  1. Navigate to the live mount interface in Commvault.

  2. Select the backup to mount.

  3. Configure mount options:

    • Select the destination hypervisor.

    • Configure network settings.

    • Set an expiration period for automatic cleanup.

  4. Click Submit.

The VM starts from backup and is available for use.

When to use live mount

  • Validating backup integrity for disaster recovery readiness

  • Testing VM functionality without affecting production

  • Accessing data from a VM without full restore

  • Short-term workload testing or troubleshooting

Requirements

Live recovery and live mount require:

  • Backup copy available

  • 3DFS cache available on MediaAgent

  • Network connectivity between MediaAgent and destination hypervisor

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