Backing up and restoring virtual environments is not always easy. Even if the vendors of virtualization solutions like Microsoft and VMware offer solutions to this, they are sometimes more complex than they appear, especially in the management of restores.
Altaro VM Backup is software for backing up and restoring Hyper-V and VMWare virtual machines.
Software Description
When installing the software, it will be in evaluation mode for thirty days. Beyond these thirty days, the software will still be operational, but limited to two VMs. At Deane Computers, you’ll get a 30-day trial & free for 2 VMs forever.
Once the end of the thirty days is reached, the licenses of the hosts will then be indicated as expired. As a result, the backups will no longer be launched and an error will be reported in the logs. You will then need to go to Altaro to request a free license. If the Altaro Backup instance managed more than two VMs, only the first two in the list will be backed up.
The software works on 64-bit versions of Windows:
- 64-bit Windows 7/8/10;
- Windows 2008/2012 Server R2.
The software allows VM backup of Hyper-V and VMWare hypervisors (or both at the same time).
The software works on 64-bit versions of Windows:
- 64-bit Windows 7/8/10;
- Windows 2008/2012 Server R2.
The software allows VM backup of Hyper-V and VMWare hypervisors (or both at the same time).
For VMWare, it is necessary to have a paid version, the free versions not supporting the necessary APIs. Currently supported VMWare versions are ESX 5/6, vSphere 5/6, and vCenter 5/6.
Software Installation
Default installation
The installation is very simple:
The software can be installed on the host (at least for Hyper-V) or on another workstation. When the application is launched, the first screen is used to manage either the local machine (if it is the host of the VMs to be managed), or a remote machine. It is possible to save the choice made by checking the “login automatic next run” box.
It is possible to administer several instances of Altaro VM Backup by clicking on “Central Monitoring Console.” To centrally monitor and manage all your Altaro VM Backup you will need Dell Refurbish Monitors.
Installation in Core mode
It is possible to install Altaro VM Backup on a server in Core mode. This is a minimal installation mode that does not use the graphics screen. Administration tasks and all configurations are done from the command line. If you install the software on a server in Core mode, it will detect the presence of this mode and refuse the installation of the GUI.
You will therefore need to install the “Altaro Management tools” on another machine to access the software in graphic mode.
Getting started with the software
All functions can be found in the left menu. The menu, the entries included in the presentation thereof correspond to the original names.
Backup
The following screen will show that there are three steps to be able to configure the backup:
- The selection of the host (which can be the local machine in the case of Hyper-V);
- The selection of the destination of the backups;
- The actual backup configuration.
The backup format of Altaro VM Backup is proprietary, it does not generate a vhd or vmdk file. This backup cannot be used outside of Altaro VM Backup like Altaro Endpoint Backup.
Host Selection
Click on “Hosts” in order to be able to select the host on which the treatment will be applied. On the next, you can see the local hypervisor installed on the test machine (if there is one).
Backup Destination
The next step is to select the destination for the backup. It is possible to register multiple save destinations.
It is possible to back up to a local drive (i.e. internal or external drive) or over the network.
It is not possible to make a network map. Therefore, you will not be able to access a network volume with a letter such as “N:”. You will need to use a UNC path such as \\machine\sharename…
Backup to local disk
Once the “ physical drive” has been selected, it remains to choose the destination folder.
Network Backup
In the case of a network backup, you will need to enter the name or address of the destination machine, as well as the login and password.
Link the VMs to be backed up to their backup destination
The next “Desktop Locations” is divided into four columns:
- The controls column on the left;
- The column of managed servers and their VM (s);
- The backup locations column;
- The column for offsite backups.
It will be necessary to link the VMs to one or more backup locations by dragging them into it.
AltaroVMBackup 