Skip Disks

Understanding the "Skipping Disks" Feature in Hyper-V Backup

What is the "Skip disks" Feature?

The "Skip disks" feature in Hyper-V is a crucial functionality that enables the backup process to bypass specific disks. These are disks where snapshot creation is either not supported or feasible, such as shared disks or physical disks directly attached to a virtual machine (VM). By allowing these disks to be skipped during the snapshot process, Hyper-V ensures that the backup can proceed without interruption, thereby maintaining the stability and continuity of the backup operation.

Use Cases

• Shared Virtual Hard Disks (VHDX): In scenarios where virtual machines are configured with shared VHDX for clustering purposes, these disks often cannot be snapshot. The "Skipping Disks" feature allows these setups to be backed up without including the shared VHDX.

• Physical Disks: When VMs use physical disks via pass-through disk functionality (directly attached storage), traditional snapshot mechanisms are not applicable. Skipping these disks during backup ensures that the rest of the environment is protected while avoiding disruptions.

• Virtual Machines with Fibre Channel Adapters: In cases where VMs are configured with Fibre Channel adapters, backups may fail without the "Skip disks" option selected. By using this feature, administrators can avoid backup errors and ensure the stability of the backup job.

The "Skip disks" feature in Hyper-V is a testament to the Xopero ONE adaptability and focus on providing a seamless backup experience even in complex virtualized environments. By understanding and utilizing this feature, IT administrators can ensure more efficient, flexible, and reliable backups, ultimately safeguarding their virtual infrastructure against data loss and downtime