Support for VMware Consolidated Backup
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Support for VMware Consolidated Backup

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Article ID: 306329

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Updated On:

Products

VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article provides information about using VMware Consolidated Backup (VCB) with vSphere 4.1.

Environment

VMware ESXi 4.1.x Installable
VMware Consolidated Backup 1.1.x
VMware ESX 4.1.x
VMware ESXi 4.0.x Embedded
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Embedded
VMware ESXi 4.0.x Installable
VMware ESX 4.0.x
VMware Consolidated Backup 1.5.x
VMware Consolidated Backup 1.0.x

Resolution

VMware has extended the end of availability timeline for VMware Consolidated Backup (VCB) and has added VCB support for vSphere 4.1. However, new major or minor versions of the vSphere platform beyond vSphere 4.1 are not supported with VCB.
 
Starting with the next vSphere platform feature release, VCB is removed from the vSphere platform. vStorage API for Data Protection (VADP) integrated backup products (including VMware Data Recovery) is the recommended option for efficient backup and restoration of vSphere virtual machines. If you are dependent on VCB, VMware strongly recommends that you transition away from VCB.
 
If you do not transition away from VCB, you may experience these symptoms:
  • VCB scripts no longer function
  • VCB enabled backup software no longer performs backups
  • In a mixed ESX environment, some virtual machines can be protected, while others cannot
  • Absence of a release of VMware Converter that can restore archived VCB images
Furthermore, VCB does not have any new features that have been integrated into vStorage API for Data Protection (VADP). For example:
  • Single step copy from source to target
  • Change block tracking
  • VSS quiescing for Windows 2008 and 2008 R2
  • File level backup and restore support for Linux guest operating systems
  • Built-in virtual machine image restore into the backup product (without Converter)

VMware will continue to support VCB 1.5 Update 2 for vSphere 4.1 and its subsequent update and patch releases through the end of their lifecycles. Support is extended in accordance with the VMware support policy for the VMware Infrastructure 3 platform. New major or minor versions of the vSphere platform beyond vSphere 4.1 will not be supported with VCB.


Additional Information

For related information, see Restoring VMware Consolidated Backup images on vSphere 4.1 (1026944).
VMware Consolidated Backup installation instructions
VMware Consolidated Backup のサポート

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