VMware GSX 3 - Manual (Page 128)

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128
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide
vmware-cmd <path_to_config>\<config>.vmx suspend
Once the virtual machine is suspended, you can safely back up this virtual machine's
directory using the backup agent installed on the GSX Server host.
After the backup job completes, you would run a resume batch job to restart the
virtual machine. The batch file should contain the following line:
vmware-cmd <path_to_config>\<config>.vmx start
This command resumes the virtual machine into an active, running state.
If you want to restore a virtual machine to a server other than the GSX Server host
where it was originally located, shut down the virtual machine. Instead of using the
suspend batch file, use one that powers off the virtual machine.
vmware-cmd <path_to_config>\<config>.vmx stop
The suspend, stop and resume commands can be used in pre- and post-job scripts
that are normally available via the backup software being used. Backup software such
as Veritas Backup Exec has the capability to run pre- and post-batch jobs with
scheduled backups.
Backing Up the GSX Server Host
To completely back up your entire GSX Server environment for a given point in time,
back up your entire GSX Server host. Shut down all virtual machines on the host, then
back up the host and all virtual machine directories. However, restoring a virtual
machine directory from such a backup returns you to that point in time; you cannot
restore individual files in the virtual machine.
Considerations for Backing Up Virtual Machines
A virtual machine directory should not be backed up on the GSX Server host if the
virtual machine is powered on. You should either suspend or shut down the virtual
machine before backing up its directory.
If the virtual machine is running when you try to back it up, the virtual machine can
hang and be unreachable.
Open file agents loaded on the GSX Server host do not always work reliably when you
back up open virtual disks that are gigabytes in size.
Before implementing a backup method, test and document the method in advance
to ensure a successful backup.
For more information on scripting and using the vmware-cmd file, read Appendix A
of the VMware Scripting API User’s Manual, available on the VMware Web site at
www.vmware.com/support/developer .