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2.4 Installation of Agent for VMware
Agent for VMware enables backup and recovery of ESX(i) virtual machines without installing agents
into the guest systems.
The agent is delivered in two versions:
Agent for VMware (Virtual Appliance) can be imported or deployed to a VMware ESX(i) host.
For off-loaded backup, Agent for VMware (Windows) can be installed on a machine running
Windows.
Preparation
We highly recommend that you install Acronis Backup Management Server prior to the Agent for
VMware installation. During the agent installation, specify the management server each time you are
asked to register the agent or prompted for a license server (unless you chose to use a separately
installed license server).
Agent for VMware (Virtual Appliance)
There are three methods of installing Agent for VMware (Virtual Appliance):
Importing (p. 53) to a ESX(i) host as an OVF template.
Use this method for troubleshooting purposes or if you cannot install Acronis Backup
Management Server for some reason.
Deployment from Acronis Backup Management Server to a specified host or cluster.
Connect the console to the management server. In the Navigation tree, right click Virtual
machines, then click Deploy Agent for VMware. Refer to the context help for further
instructions.
Automatic deployment from Acronis Backup Management Server.
This is the easiest method. It is recommended in most cases. Connect the console to the
management server. In the Navigation tree, right click Virtual machines, and then click Configure
VMware vCenter integration. Specify the vCenter Server, and then enable Automatic
deployment. Any time a virtual machine is selected for backup but the agent is not installed on
its host, the Virtual Appliance will be automatically deployed on the host when the backup starts.
Agent for VMware (Windows)
If your production ESX(i) hosts are so heavily loaded that running the virtual appliances is not
desirable, consider installing Agent for VMware (Windows) on a physical machine outside the ESX
infrastructure.
If your ESX(i) uses a SAN attached storage, install the agent on a machine connected to the same SAN.
The agent will back up the virtual machines directly from the storage rather than via the ESX(i) host
and LAN. This capability is called a LAN-free backup.
