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esxRanger: VMWare backups made simple |
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Written by Richard Thompson,
Thursday, 12 July 2007
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Backing up VMWare Servers has in the past posed quite a challenge to several IT administrators, simply because VMWare places a lock on the VMDK file as soon as it opens it. Imagine how simple it would be if this lock wasnt in place? Simply connect to the VMWare ESX Server and copy the folder containing all the server specific files to another location and to restore them simply copy them back.
Vizioncore have created a backup application which allows you to do just that. Only its even simpler. The application is called esxRanger Pro.
How it works:
In simplest terms possible, it connects to the ESX server, select the server, datacenter or folder you want to backup, choose the destination and click run backup and it just works.
esxRanger creates a snapshot of your Server/s, then it locks the snapshot and uses the snapshot to backup the server and then deletes the snapshot when it is done. This is great because a snapshot literally takes a few seconds to capture and then the rest depends on the speed and quality of your network or backup location.
Basically what all of this means is that you can run hot backups! How brilliant is that? Previously an accepted method of backing up your entire VMWare image would be to shut down the server, copy the vmdk files to another location then start up your server again. This tools means you can backup entire servers without needing to shut them down. Simple and easy!
One of the great things about the product is its simplicty. You can literally use the product straight out of the box. No need for writing tedious scripts. The GUI is neat and straightforward meaning you dont need any specialized knowledge to implement a good backup strategy. That said, I wouldn't ask anyone implement a backup strategy, you still need to know a bit about incremental backups, full backups, etc because the product can be configured to use these backup models.
A normal backup takes between 8 and 14 minutes depending on the size of the VMDK and the speed of the destination. The backups are compressed as Tar files which have really good compression ratios. My tests show a 4GB VMDK is often shrunk to as little as 1.4GB and a 11GB VMDK down to 6.5GB. In my opinion those ratios are really good.
Licensing Model:
esxRanger is licensed per physical CPU, ie. 2 Quad CPU ESX Servers will require 8 esxRanger licenses. Each license includes maintenance/support and this maintenance includes product upgrades during that period. Maintenance comes in 1, 2 and 3 year options and once your maintenance period is over you are required to pay a minimal fee for end user support.
Vizioncore have numerous Platinum, Gold and Silver partners throughout the world making access to the product and product support simple.
Vizioncore:
Vizioncore specialises in VMWare solutions. This means their bread and butter come from creating products that make managing your esx Environment simpler and more secure.
That said they have published the road map for esxRanger on their website. Vizioncores goal to create the industry standard backup solution is well on track. Just about every forum i've read about backing up VMWare mentions the product.
The roadmap currently has the final goal of having a product which not only backs up your VM's and restores them to ESX but has the ability to restore them to VMWare Server as well. To take a look at the Vizioncore esxRanger roadmap go to http://www.vizioncore.com/esxRangerProRoadMap.html
My thoughts:
I've been running VMWare Servers for years now and in the past few months moved onto ESX. The biggest challenge was always an effective backup tool which allows hot backups and for me this is it. Configuration is really simple. It can run on a Windows XP, 2000 Server or 2003 Server without any problems. The only thing you need to bear in mind is that you need to enable SSH Client on your ESX Servers security profile which is done really simply using VC or the VI client.
This is a great product in my eyes, but you dont need to trust just my opinion why not try it yourself? Vizioncore offer a 30 day, 10 processor evaluation copy of the software on their website. To sign up for the evaluation go to http://www.vizioncore.com/esxRangerPro.html and follow the download link at the bottom of the page.
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