You are here: VMware Protection > About VMware backups > VMware SAN-direct backups

VMware SAN-direct backups

For Unitrends Recovery Series (physical) appliances, it is recommended that you configure SAN-direct backups for ESX hosts whose datastores are located on an external SAN. This configuration enables vProtect to move data directly from the external SAN to the backup appliance during the backup. This direct connection increases backup performance and decreases network bandwidth utilization, affording greater scheduling flexibility as the production network is not used during the backup.

See the following topics to set up SAN-direct backups:

ClosedVMware SAN-direct requirements

In addition to the Virtualization Protector requirements, these requirements must be met to run VMware backups using the SAN transport mode:

For Recovery Series appliances, SAN-direct backups run using the SAN transport mode. These requirements apply:

• The Unitrends appliance must be a Recovery Series appliance running Unitrends version 7.0 or higher (8.2 or higher for ESXi 6.0, 9.1.1 or higher for ESXi 6.5).

Note:  For Unitrends Backup on VMware appliances, use the HotAdd transport mode instead. See VMware HotAdd backups for details.

• VMs to protect must be running on a licensed ESXi 5.0 version or a higher licensed ESXi version listed in the Unitrends Compatibility and Interoperability Matrix, and must have one of the following storage configurations:
– SAN storage mounted on the ESX server as a VMFS data store.
– SAN storage mounted directly by the ESX guest as a virtual RDM disk.
ClosedSAN-direct considerations

Consider the following before running SAN-direct backups:

• SAN-direct backup can be used for all guest operating system versions.
• SAN-direct backup cannot be used to protect VMware templates.
• For optimal performance, it is recommended to use VAAI-compatible storage arrays with the SAN-direct feature.

For non-VAAI storage arrays, the ESX host may perform certain operations on the datastore while the SAN-direct backup is running, causing a SCSI reservation conflict. In this case, the backup will continue over the network instead of the SAN, which increases both backup time and network traffic on the LAN. To reduce the probability of reservation conflicts, follow VMware’s recommendations in the article Frequently Asked Questions for vStorage APIs for Array Integration (1021976).

ClosedTo configure a Recovery Series appliance for SAN-direct backups
1 Verify that the VMware SAN-direct requirements have been met.
2 Physically connect the Unitrends Recovery Series appliance to the SAN using an iSCSI or Fibre Channel cable.
3 Log in to the backup system and select Settings > Storage and Retention > Storage.
4 Click Protect VMs on a SAN.
5 Enter a Storage Name, select a connection Type, and proceed to Configuring storage to configure iSCSI or FC storage.
6 Once storage has been configured, run backups for the desired guest VMs as described in Executing VMware backups.
• vProtect detects the SAN storage configuration and uses the SAN-direct transport method during backup.
• Note that when restoring SAN-direct backups, VMware determines the most efficient transport method. Data is usually restored directly to the ESX server as the VMFS data store must be utilized.

Important!   If vProtect cannot directly access the SAN, the backup runs using the network connection, moving the guest’s data from the external SAN through the ESX file system to the backup system. If using network bandwidth is a problem during certain hours, schedule your backups accordingly.

7 To check whether SAN-direct was used for a given backup, see To verify the SAN-direct method was used.
ClosedTo verify the SAN-direct method was used

If vProtect is unable to access the SAN directly, the backup runs using the regular network connection. Upon configuring SAN-direct and running the first backup, it is recommended that you verify that the SAN-direct method was used.

To check whether the backup ran using the SAN-direct method, double-click the backup in the Status window or on the Backups report to view associated details. Look for the following in the Raw Output in the vProtect Messages section:

• using transport method san indicates the SAN-direct connection was used for the backup.
• using transport method nbd or nbdssl indicates the regular network connection was used for the backup. Check your physical cable connection and the iSCSI or FC configuration for issues.