Section 12.2. Backing Up the Service Console

12.2. Backing Up the Service Console

The Service Console is a modified version of Linux that can run agents and backup software created for the Linux platform. To back up the Service Console, you have the option to install backup agents on the console and perform the backup over the network from a backup server, or you can install backup server software on the Service Console and back up to a local tape drive. (This method is not recommended because it utilizes Service Console resources that are critical to the function of ESX Server.) The state of your Service Console should not change very often and therefore will probably not require full backups as frequently as your VMs. Table 12.1 lists the backup options for the Service Console. Figure 12.1 shows an example of backing up the Service Console over a network.

Table 12-1. Different Methods for Backing Up the Service Console

Backup Method	Comments
Install backup server software on Service Console with local tape drive	Utilizes Service Console resources which is not recommended
Install local tape drive but assign the SCSI tape device to virtual machines. Install backup server software on a VM to back up Service Console locally (uses the virtual network internal to ESX Server).	The backup server is a VM that requires the Service Console to be up and running in order to function. If the Service Console needed to be restored, this option would require importing the backup tape to another backup server and restoring the Service Console over the network before the backup server VM could be brought online. Final analysis: not recommended.
Install backup agents on Service Console and back up over the network to an external backup server.	This is a standard backup strategy for most enterprises. This is the recommended backup approach for the Service Console.

Figure 12-1. Backing Up the Service Console over a Network