Backup / Restore of XenServer (at virtual machine-level)
Creation Date: January 18, 2008
Revision Date: December 12, 2011
Product: DS‑Client (Linux)
Summary
Linux DS-Client can perform virtual-machine-level backup and restore from XenServers.
See Also
Backup
The following backup issues must be considered:
• Linux DS-Client supports backup of:
• shut down virtual machines
• running virtual machines (if using the snapshot feature)
• snapshots
• Custom Templates
• Linux DS-Client does not support backup of:
• Default XenServer Templates
• XenServer's "Domain 0"
NOTE: Custom Templates and snapshots on the XenServer are directly backed up. Even if the "Use Snapshots" option is selected, the DS-Client does not attempt to create snapshots of these backup items.
• The backup wizard can only list virtual machines / custom templates with unique names. If you have virtual machines or custom templates with the same name, you must use XenCenter to make all names unique, before a XenServer backup can be performed.
NOTE: Templates are actual virtual machines that are pre-configured on the XenServer to allow users to quickly create new virtual machines. Default XenServer Templates are supplied with the XenServer. Custom Templates are created by XenServer users.
Restore
The following restore issues must be considered:
• Virtual machines cannot be overwritten during a restore; a new virtual machine with the same name will be created
• Duplicate virtual machines can be destroyed using the XenCenter application or through the command-line interface.
• A virtual machine will be created if restoring from a generation of a virtual machine that was backed up without the “Use Snapshot” option.
• A custom template will be created if restoring any of the following:
• from a generation of a virtual machine that was backed up with the “Use Snapshot” option
• a custom template
• a snapshot