Performing the audit process for VMware instant recovery

The audit process allows you to quickly boot a virtual machine from a selected recovery point and ensure that the data is intact. It is recommended that you perform the audit process periodically to test new recovery points. The virtual machine created in audit mode is not connected to a network or intended for production use. After verifying that the virtual machine is operational, you must exit audit mode and tear down the recovery image to allow the Unitrends system to reset the state of the virtual machine. Before performing the audit process, it is recommended that you read Steps for implementing VMware instant recovery.

Note:  You can perform the audit process using a stand-alone ESX server. However, to perform the instant recovery, you must use a vCenter server that supports Storage vMotion.

See the following topics for instructions:

To perform the audit process for VMware instant recovery

1

Log in to the Unitrends appliance storing the backup that you will use for the recovery.

2

In the Navigation pane, select the original VM.

Note:   If you want to use a replicated backup for the recovery process, you must first enable replication view. For details, see Viewing replicated backups.

The list of available backups that display in the next step is filtered by the selection you make here.

3

Select the Restore button from the Main menu.

4

Select a highlighted day in the calendar and then select a recovery point. The recovery point time can be associated with a full, differential, or incremental backup.

5

Click the Next (Select Options) button at the bottom of the screen.

6

Select an ESX server from the list that displays in the Available ESX Servers window. The list includes registered ESX servers and ESX hosts that are managed by registered vCenter servers. You can select the original ESX server or an alternate ESX server.

Note:  If you are using a replicated backup for the audit process, you must restore to an ESX server that is registered to the target or managed by a vCenter server that is registered to the target.

7

You have the option to select a resource pool or vApp. If you do not select a resource pool or vApp, the VM is restored to the root of the host.

8

Select a datastore with sufficient space for the restore.

9

Enter a name for the restored VM in the Virtual Machine Name field or accept the default name. Every restore creates a new virtual machine. If the original VM still resides on the ESX host you select for the restore, it is not overwritten.

10

Check the Instant Recovery? box. You cannot restore excluded disk metadata during instant recovery.

11

Check the Audit Mode box.

12

In the IP Address drop-down list, select the network adapter and associated IP address that you wish to use for instant recovery.

13

Click Audit to initiate the process.

14

A new virtual machine is created on the ESX server you selected in step 6.

15

To view the status of the restore jobs click on Settings > Instant Recovery > VMware.

Once the Job Detail indicates VM is available for use, you can access the virtual machine to ensure that it is operational. Audit mode is used to verify that the virtual machine can be recovered in the event of a disaster.

Note:   Applications on the virtual machine requiring network access are not fully functional in audit mode.

16

Once the virtual machine operation is confirmed, you should exit audit mode. For instructions, see To exit audit mode for VMware instant recovery.

To exit audit mode for VMware instant recovery

Any changes made to the virtual machine while in audit mode are lost once audit mode is exited.

1

Shut down the virtual machine from the vSphere client interface.

2

Delete the virtual machine using the vSphere client interface.

3

In the Unitrends appliance storing the backup you used for the recovery, select Settings > Instant Recovery > VMware.

4

Click on the job for the selected virtual machine.

5

Click Tear Down to reset the state of the virtual machine image.

If you have not deleted your audit session from your Hyper-V server, select Delete from ESX host and appliance. If you have already deleted your session from the ESX host, select Delete from appliance.