Protecting a vCenter Server on a Physical Machine

For versions before vCenter Server version 6.0, vCenter Server can be installed on a physical machine.

If vCenter is installed on a physical server, you can install application agents on the server to protect the vCenter database and files.

Follow the steps given below to protect the vCenter server:

1. From the CommCell Console, expand the Client Computers node

2. Right-click the virtualization client for the vCenter and select Properties.

3. Click Edit.

4. Enter the hostname of the computer where you have set up the vCenter server.

5. Click OK.

6. Install guest agents for Windows or Linux on the virtualization client for the vCenter:

   • For Windows machines, install Microsoft SQL Server Agent and Windows File System Agent.

   • For Linux-based machines using a PostgreSQL or Oracle database, install a PostgreSQL or Oracle agent.

7. Configure and perform frequent backups of the database and file system on vCenter client using the guest agents.

Recovering the vCenter from Guest Agent Backups

For a vCenter that runs on a physical machine and is protected using guest agents, use the restore procedures for the guest agents that are installed on the machine.

Guest Agent Documentation for Backups and Restores

For more information about backups and restores using guest agents, refer to the appropriate topics under the following pages:

Windows machines:

• Microsoft SQL Server Agent

  You can find links to backup and restore procedures in Getting Started with the SQL Server Agent.

• Windows File System Agent

  You can find links to backup and restore procedures in Getting Started with the Windows File System Agent.

Linux machines:

• PostgreSQL iDataAgent

  Installation procedures are provided in Deployment - PostgreSQL iDataAgent.

• Oracle Agent

  You can find links to backup and restore procedures in Getting Started with the Oracle Agent.