To create a backup schedule for templates and VMs

Use this procedure to create a full backup schedule for templates and small virtual machines that do not require incremental or differential backups. For VMs that do require incremental or differential backups, see To create a VMware backup schedule.

1        Select the vCenter server or navigation group in the Navigation Pane. Click Backup.

2        Select the Schedule Backup tab to see the list of templates and VMs hosted on the server.

3        Enter a unique Schedule Name.

4        If desired, enter a Schedule Description.

5        Select all templates and VMs to be protected by the schedule.

     A list of available templates and VMs displays in the VMs to Protect section. Click the gray box above the list to select all templates and VMs.

     Backups included within the schedule will execute sequentially. A template or VM may be included in only one schedule. If you try to add a template or VM to additional schedules, you will see an error message upon attempting to save subsequent schedules.

6        In the Schedule area, select Custom from the list.

Note: You can select another strategy from the list, but this is not recommended. If you include templates in a backup schedule with virtual machines for which incremental and differential backups are performed, these backups will not be queued for the templates. They will run as scheduled for the virtual machines.

7        For the custom strategy, click the Calendar icon to define the frequency at which backups of each type will run. Do the following for each backup instance:

     Drag a backup icon onto the calendar. Drag onto today’s date or later.

     In the Add Backup window, define the backup type, start date, start time, and recurrence. Then click Confirm.

8        If desired, modify the minimum and maximum retention settings. These settings apply to all selected templates and VMs. To set different values for each template or VM, do not enter settings here. Instead, go to Settings > Storage and Retention > Backup Retention. For details see About retention control.

9        If you would like to add new templates and VMs to this schedule automatically, check the Auto-include new VMs box.

This option can be enabled for only one schedule for each vCenter or ESX server that the system is protecting. If you are using vMotion but have not registered the vCenter that manages the ESX servers, enabling this option adds migrated VMs to schedules on the associated ESX servers. If the vCenter server has been registered, your schedules continue to run seamlessly, even if this box has not been checked.

10    Click Advanced Settings and specify options as desired.

     Select the backup device to which backups will be written.

     Check the Email Schedule Report option to receive email notification upon the completion of the scheduled backup jobs.

     Check the Email Failure Report option to receive an email notification upon failure of any backup job on the schedule.

     Click Confirm to save Advanced Settings.

11    Check the Schedule enabled box under Schedule Name. Then click Save to create the schedule.