You can perform backups automatically based on the configuration for a hypervisor or VM group, or manually for a VM group or a specific VM.
The first backup of a VM is always a full backup. By default, all subsequent backups are incremental, capturing any changes to VM data since the last backup.
You can recover virtual machine data, even when the most recent backup was incremental.
Backups run based on the following options:
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Initial full backup: When you use Guided setup to set up the Virtualization solution, use the Back up now option to perform a backup for the default VM group.
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Scheduled incremental backups: The server backup plan that is assigned to a VM group includes a schedule for ongoing incremental backups. Those backups are performed automatically based on the schedule, without requiring any user action.
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Manual backups: You can perform on-demand backups for a VM group or for a specific VM.
If backups cannot start immediately, the backup jobs are queued.
The backup process creates simple hot clones of VMs. The VMs are cloned in a serial fashion, the cloned disks are attached to the VSA access node, and the data is read and transferred in parallel based on the number of data readers. Backups are crash consistent.
What Gets Backed Up
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Virtual machines (Windows and Linux, powered on or powered off)
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Virtual disks attached to a guest VM
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VM configuration file
What Does Not Get Backed Up
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Physical disks attached to a guest VM (skipped during backups)
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Oracle VM templates