# Overview ## Account type To integrate **VMware** hosts with **Xopero ONE**, you need an **administrator account** (root is not required). You can use an existing account, but best practice is to create a dedicated **VMware** user with admin privileges for backup and restore tasks. *** ## Transport methods Adding **VMware** hosts is just the first step. To fully integrate the **VMware** environment, you can install a **virtual appliance** (**VA**) on the **VMware** host — this enables faster backups using advanced transport methods like **HotAdd**. Installing the **VA** is not required for faster backups — you can also use a storage area network (SAN), though this requires proper configuration and a SAN datastore. {% hint style="warning" %} Remember that **Xopero ONE** requires **VMware version 6.7 or later** and at least an essential license. {% endhint %} *** ## ESXi and vCenter servers If a **vCenter** server exists in your infrastructure, connect **Xopero ONE** to the **vCenter** server rather than an individual **ESXi** host. Connecting directly to an **ESXi** host when a **vCenter** server is present may cause issues. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://helpcenter.xopero.com/xopero-one-en/backup-and-recovery/virtual-machines/vmware/integration/overview.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.