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Backing Up and Restoring Lab Manager (1000023)
Details
This document describes the recommended backup and restore strategy for Lab Manager.
Solution
Warning: Restoring a backup to an environment where a LUN has been deleted or changed will result in unexpected results and potential dataloss. VMware does not recommend creating a backup and then deleting existing LUNs. If this has happened, file a support request with VMware Support and note this KB Article ID in the problem description. For more information, see How to Submit a Support Request.
Backup of a Lab Manager system is done by simultaneously backing up the Lab Manager Server and its datastores using traditional backup techniques.This needs to be done concurrently, as the Lab Manager Server stores metadata associated with the VMs on the datastores.
The best techniques for Lab Manager backup are storage-array-centric.If you run the Lab Manager Server as a VM on the same storage array you are running its VMs, snapshot the array on a regular basis (every 4 hours, for instance) and archive the snapshot to disk or tape occasionally.
You can additionally backup individual VMs in Lab Manager using conventional backup techniques (such as agent based or other method similar to backup of physical machine).This will have the effect of saving off the entire disk of the machine, however, negating the storage savings provided by Lab Manager’s use of linked clones.Regardless, many administrators backup a handful of key Lab Manager VMs in this manner in addition to a storage array backup so that single VMs can be restored if necessary.
If your Lab Manager server is not on the same storage array as your datastores, you can back it up separately using traditional backup techniques, but ensure you do it concurrently with the backup of its datastores.If the Lab Manager server is a VM, it can be backed up without disruption of service.
Note:Lab Manager VMs cannot be backed up using VMware Consolidated Backup (VCB).
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