NetBackup for VMware terminology
Table: NetBackup for VMware terms lists the terminology that is used in NetBackup for VMware.
For further explanations of VMware terminology, refer to your VMware documentation.
Table: NetBackup for VMware terms
Term | Definition |
|---|---|
backup host | The backup host is a NetBackup client that performs backups on behalf of the virtual machines. (This host was formerly known as the VMware backup proxy server.) The backup host is the only host on which NetBackup client software is installed. As an option, the backup host can also be configured as a NetBackup primary server or media server. The backup host is referred to as the recovery host when it performs a restore. |
backup media server | A media server that operates as a backup host. |
datastore | In NetBackup for VMware, the datastore is a disk that contains the virtual machines files. |
datastore cluster | A collection of datastores that can be managed as a single unit. VMware Storage DRS manages the storage resources of the cluster. |
discovery host | Discovers the virtual machines, filters them by the rules in the Query builder, and returns a list of virtual machines to be selected for backup. The discovery host is used only for automatic selection of virtual machines. Can be the same host as the VMware backup host. |
query | The combination of rules in the policy's Query builder, by which NetBackup selects virtual machines for backup. A query consists of one or more rules. |
Query builder | For creating filtering rules for automatic selection of virtual machines for backup. The Query builder is on the Clients tab of the NetBackup policy. |
query rule | A single statement in a query, by which NetBackup selects virtual machines for backup. An example of a query rule is: Displayname Contains "finance" |
recovery host | See backup host. |
virtual network | A logical network that allows the exchange of data between virtual machines. A virtual network uses a virtual switch (VMware vSwitch). A virtual network can be connected to a physical network. |
vmdk file | In a VMware ESX server, one or more vmdk files make up the disk image or virtual drive in a virtual machine. The .vmdk files contain the operating system, applications, and data in the virtual machine. |
VMware Tools | Installed inside each VMware virtual machine. Enhances the virtual machine performance and adds backup-related functionality. |
vmx datastore | Sometimes called the vmx directory or configuration datastore. Contains the configuration files that describe the virtual machine, such as vmx files. During a backup of a virtual machine snapshot, vmdk writes are also cached on this datastore. Note that a separate vmx datastore is not a VMware requirement. |
vStorage | VMware vStorage APIs enable data protection features for more efficient use of storage capacity. NetBackup can use vStorage to back up the latest vSphere environments as well as to back up earlier VMware environments. |