Microsoft Hyper-V is a hypervisor that is integrated into the model. The main advantage of Hyper-V is the ability to easily create and manage multiple virtual machines (VMs) through Hyper-V Manager. However, due to the importance of these VMs, regular backups are absolutely necessary to prevent data loss and downtime.
Considerations before backing up Hyper-V data
Before performing a Hyper-V backup, it is important to consider these factors.
Q: Should you perform a backup of your Hyper-V host?
IT staff generally agree that backups of Hyper-V hosts are not necessary. The focus should be on backups of virtual machines hosted on Hyper-V.
Backing up a Hyper-V host means reversing the hypervisor’s settings. Includes storage, network connections, roles, permissions, and configuration of the virtual switch. There is currently no direct way to do this.
Ideally, Hyper-V hosts should be simple to use to allow for flexible migration to other hosts or hypervisors Reconfiguring a Hyper-V host is faster than restoring from a backup.
Host-level and guest-level backups of Hyper-V
There are two ways to back up Hyper-V data: host level and guest level.
- Host-level VM backup helps back up the entire VM including its configuration. Allows immediate restoration of the entire VM.
- Guest-level VM backup treats the VM like a physical machine. This requires installing the agent on the guest operating system. This method provides flexibility in selecting specific items to be backed up in the VM. However, recovery requires creating an empty VM with the guest operating system installed. and install a new agent
Integrated methods for backing up Hyper-V virtual machines
Two built-in methods for performing host-level backups of Hyper-V VMs:
Export Hyper-V VM: By exporting a VM to an OVF or OVA template, you can restore it to other Hyper-V hosts. However, this method only allows one-time backup of the VM.
Use Windows Server Backup: Windows Server Backup (WSB) is a built-in feature that provides switchover and restore options for Windows Server environments. It allows automatic backup tasks to be planned for Multiple VMs but does not provide security verification.
Powerful backup solution for Hyper-V VMs
Aside from the previously mentioned built-in methods, many Hyper-V users prefer to use dedicated utilities to make it better. AOMEI Cyber Backup is an agent-free Hyper-V backup software. It focuses on easy server backup, ensuring Business Continuity. And it provides scheduled automatic data backup for multiple Hyper-V virtual machines. Here are some of its benefits:
- Centralized VM Backup: Allows for complete, independent creation of image-level data switching for VMware ESXi and VM Hyper-V from a central console.
- Universal Restore: Restore backups created from one host to another host with different hardware, ensuring flexibility of data recovery and migration process.
- Multi-function storage: Can backup data to local drive, NAS, network share and cloud storage.
- Role Assignment: Allows the creation of sub-accounts with limited permissions.
- Email Notifications: Send bed notifications via email when work is completed or when abnormalities occur.
To backup Hyper-V virtual machines using AOMEI Cyber Backup, follow the 3 easy steps below:
Step 1: Connect the device
Simply add and bind a Hyper-V host to the web console and back up the virtual machines in it in an agentless manner. Other team members can also join the administration with different accounts and permissions.
Go to Source Device > Hyper-V and add a host, then click on “… > Bind Device”.
Step 2: Create a backup job
Go to “Backup Task > + Create New Task” and provide necessary details such as task name, backup type as Hyper-V Backup, device, target, schedule, backup cleanup plan and email notification.
Step 3: Start backup
Click on “Start Backup” to run the backup task automatically.
Automated backup of Hyper-V VMs in a centralized console without manual intervention reduces the risk of data loss and is suitable for Microsoft Hyper-V intensive organizations of any size.
AOMEI Cyber Backup not only meets the backup needs of virtual machines, but also protects your databases and physical Windows PC/Server.
Conclusion
In summary, this article provides an overview of Hyper-V’s backup solution, including an integrated method of exporting a VM and using Windows Server Backup. It also introduces AOMEI Cyber Backup as a special tool for the function. Up-to-date backup of your Hyper-V VM by following the instructions provided. You can guarantee the safety and security of your Hyper-V VM.