Xen backup scenarios

There are a number of ways to backup a Xen environment allowing for quick recovery of both the host system and the virtual machines. These include:

     File backup of the host system with the virtual machine’s data excluded (VMs backed up at the VM operating system level)

     File and bare metal backup of the virtual machines at the VM operating system level

     File backup of the host system including all virtual machines

     Microsoft SQL database and Microsoft Exchange information store backup on the virtual machine

Each backup option has advantages and disadvantages.

     Scenario 1: Protecting Xen host only (recommended method)

     Scenario 2: Protecting Xen virtual machines only

     Scenario 3: Protecting Xen host and virtual machines together