Mar 29 2017 Update - New full install/configure demo video!
Those backup speeds for handling a Windows 10 Creators Update full VM backup [35GB VMDK] are pretty incredible. The VM and the backup repository are located on an M.2 NVMe SSD.
Recall that VMware vSphere 6.5 was announced on Oct 18, but released on Nov 15, 2016. By November 30th, NAKIVO let us know their stance on support for 6.5:
Full vSphere 6.5 support will be available in Q1 2017, however, we may have some limited support till the end of this year.
it turns out that NAKIVO 6.2 worked just fine with ESXi 6.5, even if it wasn't fully supported quite yet. I demonstrated full backup and recovery in my video that I called "Updating NAKIVO to v6.2.0.14770 & testing vSphere 6.5 VCSA backup vs. VMware's FTP backup from VAMI.""
Now we have v7 availability announced by NAKIVO, and it's official, right in the press release:
Support for vSphere v6.5
NAKIVO Backup & Replication v7 stays up to date with industry releases and provides support for VMware vSphere v6.5 out of the box. The new version enables VM backup, replication, and recovery for VMware vSphere v6.5 environments.
There's a lot more to this release, including support for Microsoft Hyper-V 2012 and 2016, see many more new features listed here, with highlights below. Once you fill out the form (screenshot below), you can immediately start the download of the Virtual Appliance to give it a try.
This includes vExpert, VCI, VCP, VMUG member, VSP, VTSP, and NAKIVO Resellers, with no time-bomb.
Just fill out the form here for instant download access. Note: you may have to use a work email address.
IT Pro? Click the image above to fill out the form for yourself.
1) Now that you're past providing contact information, click 'Virtual Appliance' then 'Full Solution' for the easiest way to get going in a VMware vSphere environment. If you have a compatible NAS listed on page 4 here, that install-directly-on-NAS procedure is different, see Synology and Western Digital articles.
The filename of the VMware appliance that you download will be called NAKIVO_Backup_Replication_VA_v7.0.0.16897_Full_Solution_NFR.ova
or a later, 625MB in size.
Most VMware users will choose the Virtual Appliance, Full Solution to get started quickly and easily
2) Deploy the OVA, much like as illustrated in detail by NAKIVO here, but if you're on vCenter 6.5, you'll need to use vSphere Web client instead.
3) Power up the appliance, then point your browser to the appliance IP or name (starting with http, not https, so you then get redirected properly to the https version). For my lab, since I created a DNS reservation for the MAC address of the appliance before powering it on, it was: http://nakivo.lab.local
Now you're able to login that first time without credentials, and a simple wizard asks you some basic questions. Clicking next next next is OK, now you're ready to configure your first backup job.
It only took a few minutes to install the appliance then configure it, creating my first backup job. Easy!
You can back up VMware virtual machines on schedule or ad hoc, both locally over LAN and offsite over (a slow) WAN. You can save up to 1,000 recovery points per VM and, using the Grandfather-Father-Son (GFS) retention scheme, rotate them on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. Learn more>>
VMware Backup Copy
Backup Copy jobs provide a simple and powerful way to create and maintain copies of your backups. Backup copies can be stored onsite, offsite, or in Amazon Cloud. Backup Copy jobs have their own schedule and recovery point retention policy, so you can easily set up your jobs to fit your needs. Learn more>>
VMware VM Replication
VMware VM replication creates and maintains an identical copy of the source virtual machine on a target host. You can replicate live VMs on schedule or ad hoc locally and offsite and simply power them on in case the source VM is lost or damaged. You can even save up to 30 recovery points per replica. Learn more>>
...
Global Data Deduplication
NAKIVO Backup & Replication automatically deduplicates backed up data at the block level across entire backup repository, and saves only unique blocks of data. This dramatically reduces backup size. Learn more>>
Efficient Data Compression
After data deduplication, the product automatically compresses each block of data so it occupies even less storage space in a backup repository.
...
Network Acceleration
Data compression and traffic reduction techniques enable the product to reduce network traffic by 50% on average, thus decreasing the network load and speeding up backup and replication times by 2X.
Multi-Threading
NAKIVO Backup & Replication can run dozens of backup, replication, and recovery jobs simultaneously, which speeds up data processing and shortens the time windows allocated to data protection.
~Note: on Mar 28, I had an issue deploying the OVA from vSphere Web Client. To workaround this, I used 7-Zip that allowed me to right-click on the OVA, select "Extract here", then used vSphere Web Client OVA deployment wizard's "Browse..." to multi-select the extracted OVF and two VMDK files, then everything proceeded just fine.~
Using the integrated "Request support" button pictured above, I opened a ticket with NAKIVO about my issue with deploying their OVA directly from vSphere Web Client. Here was the response:
Hello Paul,
We have verified that OVA you used can be successfully deployed using vSphere Web Client. In your case there was some kind of time out on validation step. It can be caused by slow network connectivity or some other issues.
We will work to update our instructions so they describe Web Client scenario, thank you for pointing that out.
I'll check into that. Whatever happens, OVA file alone method, or the OFV and two VMDK files together method, the video I published above shows both methods, so it's all set as-is. Enjoy!
I recently ran into a bug with 7.0.0, when trying to back up a Windows 10 VM that I care about:
Apr 12 at 12:28 AM
VM cannot be processed
"pbraren-w01" VM cannot be processed. Time spent: 13 minutes. VM processing will be automatically retried in 15 minute(s). Reason: "BackupDataCopy" action failure.
Apr 12 at 12:13 AM
Backup of the "pbraren-w01" VM has failed
VMware vSphere Storage API error has occurred on the "Onboard transporter" transporter.
Apr 12 at 12:13 AM
VM processing has started
"pbraren-w01" VM processing has started ("VMware backup job" job).
Apr 12 at 12:00 AM
The job is running
The "VMware backup job" job is currently running.
I used the help function to open a support ticket from within the Web UI, and was then asked to turn transporter debugging on then create and upload another diagnostic bundle. A day later, a response, guiding me to a (pre GA) fix called 7.0.1 that is available here, intended only for folks using NAKIVO Backup & Replication v7.0.0 Appliance version that have this same issue. It's not generally advised that you upgrade to 7.0.1, especially if you're not having any issues. The patch script file is named: NAKIVO_Backup_Replication_v7.0.1.17095_Updater.sh
I have now tested this out, and it has apparently fixed my issue, helping to restore some of my confidence. But I'm still not comfortable relying in pre-release code, hopefully 7.0.1 GA arrives soon. This article update is here for information purposes only, it is not official guidance, you should contact NAKIVO directly for proper guidance and support.
NAKIVO's documentation/screenshot had the incorrect target folder for the update file, which has also been reported. You can see me discover then resolve this minor issue at this spot in my 7.0.0 video. The fix was easy, just use something like free WinSCP in binary mode to move the .sh file into: /opt/nakivo/updates
instead of into the root. I show this properly in the first screenshot below, where I then go on to show the local console of the appliance, as I kick off the update process. Admittedly, I would hope future versions would let you do such patching right from within the Web UI. NAKIVO has acknowledged this request, and it's in their plan for future releases.
NAKIVO Appliance version 7.0 to 7.0.1 update procedure
Select "Virtual Appliance and Linux Updater", and the 199MB file you're prompted to save is named: NAKIVO_Backup_Replication_v7.0.1.17170_Updater.sh
then just follow along with the update guidance above.
I have noticed that NAKIVO v7 hasn't shown up on the VMware Compatibility Guide - VMware vSAN Partner Solutions search results page. It's important that you be aware of this. I don't know the reason(s) why it's not listed there, but I've reached out to NAKIVO for comment.
Full Disclosure: "TinkerTry.com, LLC" is registered as a NAKIVO Bronze Partner, mostly to help get notified of latest news and code releases. I get no special early-access, anybody can sign up for the betas. All TinkerTry site advertising goes through middle-man BuySellAds. NAKIVO does know if you found their affiliate link from my site, which means the possibility of reseller commissions if you eventually upgrade to one of their paid offerings. Here's their pricing.
TinkerTry - PCs, EVs, home tech, efficiency and more, including virtualization. My opinions here, not my employer's.
After 6 successful years testing then shipping well over 1,000 Xeon D Bundles, Wiredzone had to stop selling them in mid-2021 due to cost, supply, and logistics challenges. So far, Xeon D-1700/2700 (Ice Lake D) was a minor refresh for 2023, with Xeon D-1800/2800 (Granite Rapids D) refresh looking a little better for 2024. More cores, but still just PCIe Gen4 and DDR4. Looking ahead, I'm glad it's Pat Gelsinger at Intel's helm. I'm also grateful to have had the honor of working at VMware when Pat was the CIO there. I'll leave it at that, given the whole Broadcom thing.
