High-Performance, Single-Click Hyper-V Backups using BackupChain®
As an advanced, fully automated Hyper-V backup solution, BackupChain offers several key features to enable data centers as well as small businesses to protect their virtual hosts efficiently:
 Unlimited
Virtual Machine Backups |
Cluster Shared Volume Support |
| No Agents Needed |
High-Performance Deduplication |
| Incremental & Differential Backups |
Restore
VMs to Different Host |
| Cloning: Restore VMs as Clones |
Sequential and Simultaneous VM Backups |
| Live / Hot VM Backup
-- No interruptions |
Isolated Individual VM Backups
Possible |
| Advanced Scheduler |
Backup
Creates Standard File Formats |
| Backup
and Restore Snapshot Chain |
Backup
Virtual Machines over Internet |
| Database,
Network, & File Server backups |
NAS,
FTP, FTPS, USB,
and SAN Support |
| Backup
& Restore Exchange & SQL Server VMs |
Restore
different VM versions |
| Runs on Windows,
Core, and Hyper-V Servers
|
Simple backup drive/target rotation |
| Quick installation, no reboot required |
Risk-free, fully functional trial |
| Full
24/7 Phone, Email, & Live Chat Support based in the U.S. |
|
Single-Click, Fully Automatic Hyper-V Backups
BackupChain backs up Hyper-V virtual machines fully automatically, you simply select the virtual machine from a list:
There are two ways to back up Hyper-V virtual machines:
1. File-based: You simply select your folder that contains the VMs, such as C:\VHDs or C:\ClusterStorage\Volume3
2. Virtual machine based: You select the virtual machine from a list and BackupChain configures the backup automatically.
BackupChain supports Cluster Shared Volumes, failover cluster, and sequential backup. Sequential backup ensures your server's resources are only used to a minimum by backing up one virtual machine at a time. This is important when you have a production system with dozens of VMs and want to minimize the system impact of your backups.
Snapshots are included and correctly restored even on new hosts. Note, however, that Microsoft does not recommend using snapshots on production systems, and snapshots may only be recoverable on a similar processor architecture. This is a limitation of Hyper-V.
To restore a virtual machine, simply select it from the restore screen and press 'Restore'. You may also use the clone virtual machine feature, which is enabled by default.
Note, you may back up Hyper-V virtual machines to a local folder, external drive, a network share, or via FTP using an efficient deduplication algorithm which dramatically reduces backup time, bandwidth, and space requirements.
Graphical User Interface Even on Hyper-V and Windows Server 2008 R2 Core
Connect to a Hyper-V Server or Windows Core Server via Remote Desktop and work with a graphical user interface instead of the command line. Backup Hyper-V virtual machines stored on local drives, iSCSI, SAN, and Cluster Shared Volumes to any local, network, or FTP targets with smart deduplication (delta compression) technology that saves costs, resources, and time. ZIP, uncompressed, and other formats are also available. Database server and file backups are also supported.
BackupChain runs on all Hyper-V Server variants with full graphical user interface:
1. On Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2, Microsoft's free server operating system.
2. On Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Full Installation; with Hyper-V Role and,
3. On all Core installations of Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R1 and R2 with Hyper-V role installed. (Full GUI available in Core installations).
Hyper-V Server Backup Integration with Volume Shadow Service and Cluster Shared Volumes
As live VHD backups become an industry standard, no Hyper-V backup software should lack VSS integration. Microsoft's VSS, especially its new version in Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 with the new VSS support for virtual machines, is crucial for creating consistent live backups. The hyper-V backup software needs to activate the Hyper-V VSS writer service which takes care of notifying the virtual machine guests of the upcoming backup process. The virtual machines then flush their cache and prepare for a live backup.
This mechanism requires a tight integration of the Volume Shadow Copy Service on the guest side as well; therefore, it is important that the Hyper-V Integration Services are installed on each guest virtual machine to ensure the VSS signal is properly processed in the VM. Some backup software experts argue that this Hyper-V Server's tight integration of VSS services on the host and the guest OS makes Hyper-V the best choice when it comes to live backups and technically superior to VMware in this respect. BackupChain supports the Hyper-V Volume Shadow Service Writer and activates it when it encounters a virtual machine that is in use.
Cluster Shared Volume and Storage Area Network Drive Support
BackupChain Datacenter Edition supports Hyper-V Cluster Shared Volume backups as well as attached SAN and iSCSI drives. For a limited time: CSV backups are available in BackupChain Server Edition.
Local, Network, and Remote FTP Hyper-V Backup Targets
Since virtual machine images (VHD files) tend to be many GB large, these heavy-weight files need to be processed efficiently. Ideally the backup target should be another SCSI drive, an eSATA external drive, an USB drive, or another machine on a Gigabit network. BackupChain supports all these as well as FTP and FTPS targets to enable data centers to move their virtual machines offsite without sacrificing performance.
Incremental and Differential Hyper-V Backups with Smart Delta Compression (Deduplication Technology)
To many backup software developers, incremental backups mean that the backup tool will only process files that changed; however, in the case of virtual machine Hyper-V backups, the files are so big that it is not an option to retain a full copy of each VM at each backup cycle. BackupChain contains proprietary in-file delta compression technology to ensure backups use only minimal amounts of space. This form of compression reduces the load in the backup store but also bandwidth requirements because only the actual change within the VM is stored. This is why BackupChain is perfectly suited for remote virtual machine backups, even via FTP. Because BackupChain's backup technology does not require a local history of VMs from previous backup cycles, your Hyper-V servers can run on minimal hardware. You can easily move incremental and differential backups over the Internet since most VMs chance only minimally each day.
Superior Hyper-V Server Backup Compression Rates
Data compression is standard feature in most backup software programs; however, when it comes to Hyper-V server virtual machine backups, it is necessary to provide the best compression rate within a reasonable amount of time. In order to keep the backup time to a minimum, optimal resource usage is necessary. BackupChain offers full CPU utilization as a standard feature without CPU or CPU core number limitations. BackupChain compresses and encrypts backups (optional) with AES-256 (HIPAA compliant encryption) and utilizes all CPUs and CPU cores simultaneously. This technology draws the highest possible data rate from the RAID controller as possible.
Powerful Multithreaded Backup Scheduling
BackupChain was implemented with a flexible scheduler that permits complex schedule settings and concurrent execution. This Hyper-V backup feature allows administrators to utilize their resources to fullest extent possible and create Hyper-V backups at complex intervals as needed.
Remote Virtual Machine Backup and Restore Feature
BackupChain is the only Hyper-V server backup program on the market with a built-in FTP server and client, which are the building blocks needed to quickly set up an efficient remote backup system. Hyper-V virtual machines can thus easily be backed up and restored offsite over the Internet at a remote location without the need for additional software. Administrators concerned about security can switch on the military-strength encryption feature and transmit over FTPS as an option.
Compatibility with VMware Servers
If you are running both VMware Server and Hyper-V Server in your organization you can save on licensing costs: BackupChain is fully compatible with both virtualization platforms; hence, you can save money by purchasing only one license to cover your Hyper-V server backup as well as VMware backup needs in your organization.
Download a full function 20 day trial of BackupChain from our Hyper-V backup software download page