Hyper-V How To: Backup
The matrix of considerations for backup and DR for Hyper-V is not simple, for example there are several methods to backup running VMs such as Windows Server Backup, DPM, diskshadow.exe, as well as non-Microsoft solutions such as Symantec Backup Exec.
Capability |
Host-Based |
Agent-Based |
SAN snapshots |
Protection of VM configuration |
X |
||
Protection of Host & Cluster configuration |
X |
||
Protection of Virtualization-specific data such as VM snapshots |
X |
||
Protection of data inside the VM |
X |
X |
X |
Protection of data inside the VM stored on pass-through disks |
X |
X |
|
Support for VSS-based backups for supported operating systems and applications |
X |
X |
|
Support for Continuous Data Protection (DPM) |
X |
X |
|
Ability to granularly recover specific files or applications inside the VM |
X |
For more help on options and considerations, see:
Backup and Disaster Recovery for Server Virtualization: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc895627.aspx
This Fix it Solution automates registering the Microsoft Hyper-V VSS writer with Windows Server Backup: How to back up Hyper-V virtual machines from the parent partition on a Windows Server 2008-based computer by using Windows Server Backup
Off-line Virtual Machine Servicing Tool: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc501231.aspx
Taylor Brown's blog post explains away some of the confusion around backup/snapshot in Hyper-V: https://blogs.msdn.com/taylorb/archive/2008/08/20/backing-up-hyper-v-virtual-machines-using-windows-server-backup.aspx
How to enable Windows Server Backup support for the Hyper-V VSS Writer : https://blogs.technet.com/askcore/archive/2008/08/20/how-to-enable-windows-server-backup-support-for-the-hyper-v-vss-writer.aspx
Backing Up Hyper-V Virtual Machines Using Windows Server Backup: https://blogs.msdn.com/taylorb/archive/2008/08/20/backing-up-hyper-v-virtual-machines-using-windows-server-backup.aspx
Windows Server 2008 Backup and Recovery Overview : https://technet.microsoft.com/library/cc770593.aspx
Windows Server Backup Step-by-Step Guide for Windows Server 2008 : https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc770266.aspx
Hyper-V Backup: what's supported?: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winserverhyperv/thread/587474ff-8146-44bb-8ef7-c80a366b07f4/
Microsoft Data Protection Manager trial: https://technet.microsoft.com/dpm/bb727240.aspx