Virtual Machine Test Restore

In this article, you will get information on how to configure VMware backup test restore

Add test restore plan

To add a new Restore Plan of VMware open the Plans tab and click Add Plan button.

Now the system will show aside with the Plan configuration.

First, you have to click on the Select storage and choose the storage with the backup of VMware.

In the Choose item section, you have to select a resource to restore data from. Next select Backup plans from the list (the system automatically select the latest copy from the Backup plan). Then you can select the restore type from two options:

• Whole machine - the entire machine will be restored to the VMware host.

• Instant restore - a quick method using the iSCSI target function will be used.

Finally, make sure that the selected agent has access to the selected storage, if not or you have to change that, do it with the Change button at the bottom.

After selecting the restore type, the restore options window will be displayed. You can restore the virtual machine to its original location or set up a connection to a different location. When defining the name of the machine, remember not to create a machine with an existing name or check the checkbox Create copy if the machine already exists. When you are done press the Next button.

Whole machine - it consists in restoring the entire machine's data to VMware from the copy. This method sending all data to VMware host. Therefore, you need sufficient space in VMware to perform this test restore task. Define the Transport method, use the default automatic method, or select: HotAdd or LAN. You can check the boxYou can check the box and reduce network bandwidth to restore operation. Next, select the machine with Xopero ONE agent used to restore the machine (if you are using Virtual Appliance - it's the best way to use it).

Instant restore - it consists in restoring the machine's using mounted disks run directly from the copy (using iSCSI). This method skips sending data, so it's definitely much faster. Define the device and port that will be used to expose the resource using the iSCSI target.

In the Verification section, you can define the time that the system will wait when restoring the virtual machine and booting the system (the process of starting the computer and loading the operating system into the operating memory after restoring). With the switches, you can also choose options: power on the virtual machine, take a screenshot after starting it for verification and delete the machine after a successful restore operation.

Don't be fooled by the lack of a change in the appearance of the verification section. The changes were saved correctly.

At the end, as with any Plan, you have to define when the Plan is to be executed. You can also exclude execution hours using the backup window. And set don't suspend while performing a restore.

When you are ready, you can Save the plan and wait for execution on schedule. Or Save&run right now. You can check the running test restore tasks from the Tasks tab.

Additional settings

In Advanced settings (the setting sprocket at the top) you can set Error handling and the number of repetitions of the task in the event of an error.

Results of the task

You can verify the correctness of the performed test restore task on the Tasks tab. Go to the previous performances tab. Now expand the details of the task.

Press the Task details button on the right. Here you can see more details, e.g. a screenshot of the recreated machine.

Email notifications

In addition to the task summary, you can configure email notifications with the recovery task summary. To receive such summaries, go to the Settings tab, then Email notifications, then Email notifications again and select the Restore verification summary option.