File-Based Backup and Restore – vCenter

https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/8.0/vsphere-vcenter-installation/GUID-3EAED005-B0A3-40CF-B40D-85AD247D7EA4.html
https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/2149237

Backup is a vital feature for any vCenter Server Appliance which avails disaster recovery and data protection of vCenter.

The vCenter Server Appliance supports a file-based backup and restore mechanism that helps you to recover your environment after failures. This native backup solution is available within the VMware Appliance Management Interface on port 5480. It supports backing up both the vCenter Server Appliance and Platform Service Controller.

There are two ways to backup/restore an appliance

i) Snapshot based
ii) File based

Snapshot based approach is faster and easier to revert back but however it lacks the granularity and control. Also required the snapshot management  in place.

The File based backup process backs up the running state of a vCenter Server. This includes config files, databases, and other state information needed for restoring vCenter in the same state. Backup data does not include OS files, binaries or static config files. With the current File Based Backup Solution for VCSA we have no support for incremental backups.

Backup performance depends on several factors – network bandwidth, backup location, data size, backup options etc. Here are the performance goal for VC backup when there are no bottlenecks in the local or remote systems.

Backup of VCSA  process collects the important files into tar bundle and compress the bundle to reduce the load on the network. You use the vCenter Server Interface to perform a file-based backup of the vCenter Server core configuration, inventory, and historical data of your choice.

Backup Components

1. Config File
2. VCDB
3. Lotus
4. Statsmonitor
5. VTSDB
6. Component script based backup
   imagebuilder, vpxd, autodeploy, vum
   manifest files : /etc/vmware/backup/manifests/
   component scripts: /etc/vmware/backup/component-scripts/

Considerations and Limitations

https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/8.0/vsphere-vcenter-installation/GUID-AFF34FA6-B7CF-4AE0-9C12-C674F160682C.html

Backup Protocols

VCSA backup can be backed and sent up to different location using different protocols. These protocols vary on different versions of vCenter

VCSA 6.5

• FTP
• FTPS
• HTTP
• HTTPS
• SCP

VCSA 6.7

• FTP
• FTPS
• HTTP
• HTTPS
• NFS (From 6.7U2)
• SCP
• SMB (From 6.7U2)

VCSA 7.0 / 8.0

• FTP
• FTPS
• HTTP
• HTTPS
• SFTP
• NFS
• SMB

Retention

Backup retention refers to the period of time for which backup copies of data are stored and maintained. It is a crucial aspect of a backup strategy and involves determining how long backup data should be kept before it is either deleted or overwritten. The retention period is typically defined based on factors such as organizational policies, compliance requirements, and the specific needs of the data being backed up.

In the Series:

• File-Based Backup and Restore – vCenter
• FBBR – Troubleshooting – Using Self Backup
• FBBR – Troubleshooting – FTP Backup
• FBBR – Troubleshooting – FTP Retention
• FBBR – Troubleshooting – FTPS Backup
• FBBR – Troubleshooting – FTPS Retention
• FBBR – Troubleshooting – HTTP
• FBBR – Troubleshooting – HTTPS Backup
• FBBR – Troubleshooting – HTTPS Retention
• FBBR – Troubleshooting – SCP
• FBBR – Troubleshooting – SFTP
• FBBR – Troubleshooting – SFTP Backup
• FBBR – Troubleshooting – SFTP Retention
• FBBR – Troubleshooting – NFS Backup
• FBBR – Troubleshooting – SMB Backup
• FBBR – Troubleshooting – SMB – 6.x/Upto 7.0U3e
• FBBR – Troubleshooting – SMB – From 7.0U3f/8.x
• File-Based Backup and Restore – Strict Certificate Validation
• File-Based Backup and Restore – Steps to Restore
• File-Based Backup and Restore – VCHA