{"id":58606,"date":"2024-05-07T09:00:13","date_gmt":"2024-05-07T07:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/?p=58606"},"modified":"2024-05-07T14:20:04","modified_gmt":"2024-05-07T12:20:04","slug":"vcenter-server-backup-best-practices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/en\/vcenter-server-backup-best-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"vCenter Server backup best practices"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-62072 size-full\" title=\"backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-01\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-01.jpg\" alt=\"backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-01\" width=\"602\" height=\"202\" data-wp-editing=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The vCenter Server backup is a crucial operation in a <strong>vSphere infrastructure<\/strong> since the vCenter Server provides core features such as HA, DRS, vDS, vSAN, and it must be protected accordingly.<\/p>\n<p>To guarantee the recovery of the vSphere infrastructure functionality in case of a failure, the vCenter Server backup operation must be configured in the correct way to <strong>ensure a quick and working restore<\/strong>.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"section-title__title\">File-Based Backup and Restore<\/h2>\n<p>The Best Practices to perform the vCenter Server backup recommend using the <strong>native file-based backup and restore<\/strong> method.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Backup<\/h4>\n<p>The file-based backup can be created directly from the\u00a0<strong><span id=\"GUID-3EAED005-B0A3-40CF-B40D-85AD247D7EA4__PRODUCTNAME_36A67B5996CE47209B6ACC1FB2332B47\" class=\"ph productname\">vCenter Server<\/span> VAMI<\/strong>. Access the VAMI and go to <strong>Backup<\/strong> section.<\/p>\n<p>The file-level vCenter Server backup includes the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Core configuration<\/li>\n<li>Inventory<\/li>\n<li>Historical data<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The backup is <strong>not stored in the vCenter Server<\/strong> appliance but streamed to a <strong>remote target<\/strong> using FTP, FTPS, HTTP, HTTPS, SFTP, NFS, or SMB protocols.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Restore<\/h4>\n<p>The restore process can be performed using the <strong>GUI installer<\/strong><span id=\"GUID-F02AF073-7CFD-45B2-ACC8-DE3B6ED28022__PRODUCTNAME_36A67B5996CE47209B6ACC1FB2332B47\" class=\"ph productname\"> or the <strong>vCenter Server<\/strong><\/span><strong>\u00a0instance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The restore process has <strong>two stages<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Deployment of a new <span id=\"GUID-F02AF073-7CFD-45B2-ACC8-DE3B6ED28022__PRODUCTNAME_36A67B5996CE47209B6ACC1FB2332B47\" class=\"ph productname\">vCenter Server<\/span>\u00a0appliance<\/li>\n<li>Restore of the configuration from the data stored in the file-based backup<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Consideration and limits<\/h4>\n<p>This method used for the vCenter Server backup implies some consideration and limits.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Protocols<\/strong> - to perform the backup, the following points should be considered:\n<ul>\n<li>If FTP and HTTP are the protocols used to backup and restore the vCenter, they are not secure protocols.<\/li>\n<li>To use HTTP or HTTPS, you must enable WebDAV.<\/li>\n<li>If the HTTP proxy server is configured, only FTP, FTPS, HTTP, or HTTPS protocols can be used to transmit data.<\/li>\n<li>For FTPS only explicit mode is supported.<\/li>\n<li>Mixed mode of IP versions between the backup server and the\u00a0<span id=\"GUID-AFF34FA6-B7CF-4AE0-9C12-C674F160682C__PRODUCTNAME_36A67B5996CE47209B6ACC1FB2332B47\" class=\"ph productname\">vCenter Server<\/span> is not supported.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Restore<\/strong> - when the restore is performed, the following configuration is reverted:\n<ul>\n<li>Virtual machine resource settings.<\/li>\n<li>Resource pool hierarchy and setting.<\/li>\n<li>Cluster-host membership.<\/li>\n<li>DRS configuration and rules.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Distributed Virtual Switch<\/strong> - if used in your infrastructure, export the Distributed Virtual Switch configuration <strong>before performing the restore<\/strong> to keep all the changes occured since the last backup. The vDS configuration can be then <strong>imported after the restore<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Content Libraries<\/strong> - if Content Libraries or items have been deleted or created after the backup, a manual intervention is required to fix the inconsistencies.<\/li>\n<li><strong>vSphere HA<\/strong> - make sure the HA cluster stays the same during restore and backup operations.<\/li>\n<li><strong>vCenter HA<\/strong> - after the restore, the vCenter HA has to be reconfigured.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Check out the dedicated <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.vmware.com\/en\/VMware-vSphere\/8.0\/vsphere-vcenter-installation\/GUID-AFF34FA6-B7CF-4AE0-9C12-C674F160682C.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VMware page<\/a> for additional info.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"section-title__title\">Image-Based Backup and Restore<\/h2>\n<p>The Image-Based Backup and Restore operations can be added to your backup strategy as an <strong>additional protection level<\/strong> to support the native file-based backup and restore that <strong>remains the recommended method<\/strong> to perform the vCenter Server backup.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Backup<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>To backup the vCenter Server appliance, the following recommendation must be followed:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Make sure that all components on the vSphere network are <strong>time synced<\/strong> using NTP.<\/li>\n<li>A <strong>dedicated Backup Job<\/strong> should be created.<\/li>\n<li>Run the backup when <strong>no other Backup Jobs are running.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Disable <strong>VMware Tools Quiescence.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Disable <strong>Application-Aware Processing<\/strong> and <strong>Guest File System Indexing.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Restore<\/h4>\n<p>To perform the restore operation, the <strong>same considerations<\/strong> made for file-level backup must be considered.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>File-level vCenter Server backup configuration<\/h2>\n<p>Access the <strong><span id=\"GUID-3EAED005-B0A3-40CF-B40D-85AD247D7EA4__PRODUCTNAME_36A67B5996CE47209B6ACC1FB2332B47\" class=\"ph productname\">vCenter Server<\/span> VAMI<\/strong> and login as <em>root<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-62074\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-02.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"244\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Go to <strong>Backup<\/strong> section. Click <strong>Configure<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62076\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-03-600x348.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"348\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Enter the <strong>Backup location<\/strong> details using the syntax <em>protocol:\/\/server-address:&lt;port&gt;\/folder\/subfolder<\/em> and the <strong>Backup server credentials<\/strong> if required (in the example, the backup is performed to a NFS share). Configure the desired <strong>Schedule<\/strong>, specify the <strong>Number of backup to retains<\/strong> and optionally you can <strong>Encrypt backup<\/strong> by entering the <strong>Encryption Password<\/strong>. Thick <strong>Stats, Events, and Tasks<\/strong> option to retain also this <strong>Data<\/strong>. Click <strong>Create<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62082\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-04-600x445.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"445\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>The saved configuration. The backup will be performed at scheduled time.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62084\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-05-600x221.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"221\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>To backup the vCenter Server appliance manually, just click <strong>Backup Now<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62086\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-06-600x208.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"208\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Enable <strong>Use backup location...<\/strong> option to use same repository as configured in the scheduled task section. Enter the <strong>Encryption Password<\/strong> and select the type of <strong>Data<\/strong> to backup. Click <strong>Start<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62088\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-07-600x416.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"416\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>The backup is being performed.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62090\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-08-600x227.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"227\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>After few seconds the backup is completed successfully. All available restore points can be found under <strong>Activity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62092\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-09-600x208.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"208\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Restore the vCenter Server<\/h4>\n<p>Before proceeding with the restore operation, make sure to have a <strong>valid vCenter Server backup<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Mount the vCenter Server <strong>ISO file<\/strong> in your computer and double click the <strong>installer.exe<\/strong> file.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62094\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-10-600x356.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"356\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Select <strong>Restore<\/strong> to launch the restore wizard.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62096\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-11-600x491.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"491\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Stage 1 - Deploy a new appliance<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>From the wizard, click <strong>Next<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62098\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-12-600x491.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"491\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Accept the EULA and click <strong>Next<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62100\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-13-600x491.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"491\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Identify in the backup storage the path where the required <strong>JSON file is stored<\/strong>. This path specify the <strong>restore point to use<\/strong> if you have multiple backups available.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62134\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-14-600x417.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"417\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Enter the <strong>Location or IP\/hostname<\/strong> of the backup to use using the format <em>&lt;Server_Address&gt;\/path\/folder\/subfolder<\/em>\u00a0and the credentials. Click <strong>Next<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62136\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-15-600x496.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"496\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Make sure the <strong>Location or IP\/hostname<\/strong> points to the desired restore point then click <strong>Next<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62138\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-16-600x496.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"496\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Specify FQDN or IP of the <strong>ESXi host or vCenter Server name<\/strong> where the new appliance should be deployed and the root\/administrator credentials. Click <strong>Next<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62140\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-17-600x516.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"516\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Click <strong>Yes<\/strong> to accept the Certificate.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-62142\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-18.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"578\" height=\"374\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Enter the <strong>VM name<\/strong> and the <em>root<\/em> password. Click\u00a0<strong>Next<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62144\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-19-600x496.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"496\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Select the appropriate <strong>Deployment size<\/strong> and click <strong>Next<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62146\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-20-600x516.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"516\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Select the <strong>datastore<\/strong> to save the new appliance and click <strong>Next<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62148\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-21-600x516.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"516\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Provide the necessary <strong>network configuration<\/strong> settings. \u00a0You must have an <strong>Ephemeral portgroup<\/strong> type if the ESXi host is used as deployment target. If not present, the dropdown list <strong>will be empty<\/strong>. Click <strong>Next<\/strong>\u00a0when done.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62150\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-22-600x496.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"496\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Click <strong>Finish<\/strong> to start the deployment of the new vCenter Server.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62152\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-23-600x496.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"496\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>The appliance is being deployed.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62154\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-24-600x130.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"130\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>When the new appliance has been deployed successfully, click <strong>Continue<\/strong> to proceed with <strong>Stage 2<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62156\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-25-600x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"199\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Stage 2 - Restore from backup<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Click <strong>Next<\/strong>\u00a0to execute the\u00a0<strong>Restore from backup<\/strong>\u00a0stage.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62158\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-26-600x471.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"471\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Enter the <strong>Encryption password<\/strong> if used during the backup then click <strong>Next<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62160\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-27-600x501.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"501\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Click <strong>Finish<\/strong> to start the restore. Make sure the source VCSA is <strong>powered off<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62162\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-28-600x501.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"501\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Click <strong>OK<\/strong> to proceed.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-62164\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-29.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"578\" height=\"207\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>The restore process is being executed.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62166\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-30-600x124.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"124\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>After few minutes the restore operation completes successfully.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62168\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-31-600x167.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"167\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>The vCenter Server is up and running again. In the example you can see the failed old VCSA.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62170\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-32-600x306.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"306\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Troubleshooting<\/h2>\n<p>It may happen that during the <strong>Backup details validation<\/strong>, the process fails with the following error.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62172\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-33-600x143.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"143\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>The file-level restore process heavily depends on <strong>how the new VCSA is configured<\/strong> compared to the old one. Make sure all disks in the old and in the new VCSA have <strong>exactly the same size<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>To check the disks size, we need to SSH both old and new VCSA. Because <strong>SSH in the new VCSA is disabled<\/strong>, using the preferred browser enter the address <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">https:\/\/&lt;IP_VCSA&gt;:5480<\/span><\/em> and select <strong>Setup<\/strong> instead of <strong>Restore<\/strong>. Click <strong>Next<\/strong> and select <strong>Activated<\/strong> from the <strong>SSH access<\/strong> dropdown menu.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62174\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-34-600x376.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"376\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>SSH the <strong>new VCSA<\/strong> and run the following command to check the disks size:<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"># df -h<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62176\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-35-600x328.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"328\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Now shutdown the new VCSA and power on the <strong>old VCSA<\/strong> (of course if the VCSA can be booted) and run the following command to check the disks size:<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"># df -h<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62180\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-36-600x350.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"350\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Comparing the disks size, some disks don't match.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62182\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-37-600x241.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"241\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>To identify the corresponding disks number, <a href=\"https:\/\/kb.vmware.com\/s\/article\/93790\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this KB<\/a> provides a list of VMDKs and their respective components. The partition reported in the error message are <strong>disks 8, 14 ,15 and 17<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62186\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-38-600x623.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"623\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Select the new VCSA appliance and <strong>edit the VM settings<\/strong>. Change the <strong>disks size<\/strong> with the same values retrieved from the old VCSA then click <strong>Save<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62188\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-39-600x459.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"459\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Now run the following command to <strong>increase the file system<\/strong> size on those disks.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"># \/usr\/lib\/applmgmt\/support\/scripts\/autogrow.sh<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62194\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-40a-600x489.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"489\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Analyzing the script result, disks size have been changed to the new value.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62196\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-41-600x676.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"676\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Running the <strong>Backup details validation<\/strong>\u00a0once again, this time the check succeed.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-62198\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backup-vcenter-server-appliance-best-practices-42-600x501.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"501\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>To perform an <strong>image-level restore<\/strong> of the vCenter Server appliance when the vSphere infrastructure uses a Distributed Switch, the <strong>vCenter must be connected<\/strong> to an <a href=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/en\/vcsa-connected-to-dvswitch-is-unaccessible-after-restore\/\">Ephemeral port-group<\/a> type to complete the operation successfully.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"signature\" src=\"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/images\/firma.jpg\" alt=\"signature\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The vCenter Server backup is a crucial operation in a vSphere infrastructure since the vCenter Server provides core features such as HA, DRS, vDS, vSAN, and it must be protected accordingly. To guarantee the recovery of the vSphere infrastructure functionality in case of a failure, the vCenter Server backup operation must be configured in the correct way to ensure a quick and working restore.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":62072,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"linkedin_93tdZWzMZc_93tdZWzMZc":"","facebook_2879994398731222_17841400390232720":"","twitter_113568041_113568041":"","mastodon_115463926174894442_115463926174894442":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[2138,903,2701],"tags":[579,2348,2715],"class_list":["post-58606","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-backup-en","category-vmware-en","category-vsphere-en","tag-backup-en","tag-best-practices","tag-vcenter-server-en","has_thumb"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58606","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58606"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58606\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62072"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58606"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58606"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nolabnoparty.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58606"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}