Create an instant access VM
You can create an instant access VM from a NetBackup backup image. The VM is available almost instantaneously, achieving a near-zero recovery time objective. NetBackup mounts the VM's snapshot directly on the backup storage device to allow your ESXi host or cluster to treat the snapshot as a normal VM.
The mounted VM snapshot can be used for a variety of purposes. For example:
Recovering files from the VM, or copying a vmdk file.
Running tests on the VM, such as testing a patch.
Troubleshooting or disaster recovery.
Verifying an application.
Note:
This instant access feature is supported only for NetBackup appliances. This feature requires that the NetBackup backup image is stored on a Media Server Deduplication Pool (MSDP) storage device. More information on using instance access VMs is available:
See Things to consider before you use the instant access feature.
To create an instant access VM
- On the left, click VMware.
- Locate the VM and click on it.
- Click the Recovery points tab, then click the date on which the backup occurred.
The available images appear in rows with the backup timestamp for each image.
- On the image or the copy of the image that has the option to recover using instant access, click Recover > Create instant access virtual machine.
- Review the recovery settings and make changes if needed.
Note the Recovery options:
Allow overwrite of existing virtual machine
If a VM with the same display name exists at the destination, that VM must be deleted before the recovery begins. Otherwise, the recovery fails.
Power on after provisioning
Automatically powers on the VM when the recovery is complete.
Enable vMotion
Starts the migration of the VM after it is created and then displays progress of the VM migration.
Note:
For a NetBackup 8.1.2 storage server, the vMotion option is not used even if it is enabled.
- Click Create.
NetBackup makes a snapshot of the VM backup image and creates an instant access mount point. The snapshot of the image appears on the Instant access virtual machines tab. You can now use the VM like any other VM on the ESXi server.
- For details on the restored VM, click on the VM under the Instant access virtual machines tab and click View details.
- When you are finished with the VM, you can click Delete to remove the mounted VM snapshot. The VM is removed from the ESXi server.
Note:
If vMotion is enabled and completed successfully, deleting a VM only removes the mounted share. The VM is still available on the ESXi server as this VM is migrated to another datastore.