HP Recovery Manager Software for VMware vSphere instruction

NOTE: The Retain Virtual Copy Set option requires the HP 3PAR Virtual Lock license. Contact your local service provider for additional information.

•Ensure Application Consistency - This option is used to create virtual copies that adhere to data format standards used by Microsoft VSS for guest operating systems. This option is only available VM policy.

Datastore Virtual Copies

A datastore is created on a Fibre Channel or iSCSI LUN. During virtual copy creation, Recovery Manager for VMware vSphere identifies the HP 3PAR volume used and takes a virtual copy of the volume. Recovery Manager for VMware vSphere stores the details of all virtual disks and VMs present in the datastore.

This feature has the following restrictions:

•The datastore must be on exactly one HP 3PAR volume. A datastore that spans across more than one LUN is not supported.

•RDM LUNs defined in the datastore are not included in the virtual copy. It is possible that a HP 3PAR LUN is used as RDM in a guest OS, which is defined in a datastore created on another HP 3PAR LUN.

NOTE: A virtual copy of a datastore does not include any RDM 3PAR LUNs.

•All datastore virtual copies can be VM or crash consistent. File system and/or application integrity checks must be performed in the guest OS for the crash consistent virtual copies after restoration.

•Network File System (NFS) datastores are not supported.

•VMFS file systems spanning multiple hard disk partitions to create a single logical volume are not supported.

•The datastore must not be on an ESX SAN boot disk. Virtual Copy operations are not supported on datastores residing in ESX SAN boot disks.

For information about creating virtual copies, see “Creating New Virtual Copies” (page 62).

Virtual Machine Virtual Copies

A Virtual Machine (VM) configuration files are created in a datastore. VMDK virtual disks used by VMs are created on one or more datastores. In addition, a VM can use HP 3PAR volumes directly as RDM virtual disks. Recovery Manager for VMware vSphere identifies all of the HP 3PAR volumes used by a VM and creates virtual copies of all of them simultaneously. A list of virtual disk names and their type (RDM or VMDK) and configuration file name are also recorded in the repository during virtual copy creation.

A VM virtual copy has the following restrictions:

•Virtual disks used by a VM must be from the HP 3PAR datastore, and the latter must satisfy the conditions mentioned in “Datastore Virtual Copies” (page 21).

•If the VM uses more than one HP 3PAR volume, all of them must be from the same HP 3PAR storage array.

•VMs that use a mix of HP 3PAR LUNs and third party LUNs are not supported.

•All VM virtual copies can be VM or crash consistent. File system and/or application integrity checks must be performed in the guest OS after restoration for the crash consistent virtual copies.

About Virtual Copy Management 21

Recovery Manager Software for VMware vSphere specifications

HP Recovery Manager Software for VMware vSphere is a powerful tool designed to enhance the data recovery process for virtualized environments. It provides enterprises with a reliable solution to protect critical workloads and ensure business continuity, particularly in environments that leverage VMware's virtualization technology.

One of the main features of HP Recovery Manager is its seamless integration with VMware vSphere. The software utilizes VMware’s vSphere Storage APIs, enabling users to perform efficient backups and streamline disaster recovery processes. This integration allows for quiesced snapshots, which ensure data consistency during the backup process by momentarily pausing applications, thereby capturing a reliable state of the data.

Another significant characteristic of HP Recovery Manager is its ability to perform rapid, point-in-time recovery. This functionality is crucial for minimizing downtime after data loss incidents. Organizations can restore entire virtual machines, specific files, or applications quickly, allowing businesses to resume operations without lengthy interruptions.

Management is simplified through a user-friendly interface, which helps administrators monitor and manage backup tasks from a central dashboard. This centralized approach reduces the complexity often associated with managing multiple backup solutions in a virtual environment. Additionally, HP Recovery Manager supports automation features, where users can schedule regular backups, thus ensuring that the most current data is always protected without requiring constant manual intervention.

The software employs advanced technologies such as deduplication, which reduces the amount of storage space required for backups by eliminating duplicate data. This feature not only optimizes disk usage but also enhances overall backup performance by allowing faster backup times.

Furthermore, HP Recovery Manager provides robust reporting and analytics capabilities. Users can generate detailed reports on backup and recovery operations, allowing for better compliance and auditing. These insights aid in capacity planning and performance tuning, ensuring that the backup infrastructure remains efficient and effective.

In summary, HP Recovery Manager Software for VMware vSphere offers a comprehensive suite of features that provide a highly effective solution for data recovery in virtualized environments. Its integration with vSphere, rapid recovery capabilities, user-friendly management, storage optimization through deduplication, and robust reporting functionalities make it a valuable asset for organizations looking to protect their critical data and ensure business continuity.