SUMMARY
Support for Host-level Backups of VMware Virtual Machines on ESX(i) 4.x will be Deprecated in Unitrends Version 8.2.0.
ISSUE
Purpose
To let users know that host-level backups of VMware Virtual Machines (VMs) residing on ESX(i) 4.x servers will no longer be supported on Unitrends software version 8.2.0 and later, and to provide alternate solutions to back up those VMs.
Description
VMware's vSphere 6.0 release includes a new SDK that is no longer compatible with vSphere 4.x. As a result, Unitrends will no longer support hypervisor-level data protection for vSphere 4.x versions when we switch to the new vSphere 6.x SDK. We will support versions 5.x and above.
This change will apply to all Recovery-Series appliance models and Unitrends Enterprise Backup software running Unitrends version 8.2 or later. In order to continue to backup those ESX 4.x VMs, solutions are provided below.
Cause
VMware deprecated the extended support for ESX 4.x servers on 05/21/2014. Unitrends can no longer provide support for the same.
Resolution
After the Unitrends appliance is upgraded to 8.2.0 or later, do one of the following:
1) If you have a vCenter registered to the Unitrends appliance, which has one or more 4.x ESX servers and also other higher version ESX servers (5.x and 6.x), then, migrate the 4.x VMs to the higher version ESX servers.
Once this is done, on the Unitrends appliance, go to “Backup > 1-Time Backup” or “Backup > Schedule Backup” page and click on the “Reload VMs” icon. This will get the latest information about the VMware inventory and the backups of these VMs will now be successful
2) If you have one or more stand-alone ESX(i) 4.x servers registered to the Unitrends appliance, then the recommended solution is to upgrade those ESX servers.
After the upgrade is complete, on the Unitrends appliance, go to “Backup > 1-Time Backup” or “Backup > Schedule Backup” page and click on the “Reload VMs” icon. This will get the latest information about the VMware inventory and the backups of these VMs will now be successful.
Stand-alone ESX servers are not a part of a vCenter or the vCenter to which they belong is not registered to the Unitrends appliance.
3) If you cannot upgrade the ESX server or migrate the VMs, you can still protect these ESX 4.x VMs using Unitrends agent-based, deep virtual protection. install the Unitrends agent on the VMs and protect them as you would any physical client.