Steps to Set Up and Configure Server Proxy for VMware/Hyper-V Hosts Using BDRShield

Steps to Set Up and Configure Server Proxy for VMware/Hyper-V Hosts Using BDRShield

Overview:  

This Knowledge Base article explains how to set up and configure the BDRShield Server Proxy to add and back up VMware and Hyper-V Hypervisor hosts. The Server Proxy is essential for connecting hypervisor hosts distributed across multiple locations, providing efficient and reliable backup management.

How to Video  

Watch the following video to configure Server Proxy for VMware/Hyper-V Hosts: 


Step 1: Download the Server Proxy Installer  

1. Access the BDRShield Cloud Console at: https://console.bdrshield.com 

Note: For on-prem deployments, access the BDRShield On-Prem Console at http://localhost:6060

2. Navigate to Inventory → BDR Proxy → Server Proxy

3. Click on Add Server Proxy and download the corresponding Server Proxy installer for Windows or Linux

   Supported Operating Systems:

      1. Windows Server 2012 and above (64-bit)

      2. Windows 8.1 and above (64-bit)

      3. Debian Linux 10.0 & above (64-bit)

      4. Ubuntu 18.04 LTS & above (64-bit)

Step 2: Install the Server Proxy 

Pre-requisite:
    1. You can Install Server Proxy on any machine that has access to the hypervisor host (VMWare/Hyper-V) and follow the on-screen instructions for installation.
    2. Port Configuration: Ensure the firewall allows communication through port 32004.

How to Install?

1. Copy the downloaded installer to a Windows/Linux machine that can access the hypervisor host you wish to back up. Also, please save the registration token copied during the Server Proxy download in a text file.

2. Run the installer. We recommend running the installation with administrator privileges wherever possible.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation:

      1. Accept the license agreement.

      2. Select the Installation Location.

      3. Enter the Registration Token generated during the Server Proxy download

      4. Select a location for the internal database to store metadata components. Avoid using external NAS drives or the operating system partition, where possible.

      5. Click Install with default settings, or customize as per your environment.

      6. Upon successful installation, the Server Proxy will automatically connect to the BDRShield On-Prem or Cloud Server (commonly referred to as Centralized Management Server or CMS) and will be listed under Inventory -> BDR Proxy -> Server Proxy

Note: You can configure multiple Server Proxies to manage your hypervisor backups, depending on your requirements and infrastructure availability. 
For On-Prem deployments, enter the IP address of the BDRShield On-Prem Server when following the on-screen instructions.

Step 3: Add Storage for Backup

  1. In the BDRShield On-Prem (or) Cloud console, navigate to Inventory → Backup Repository.
  2. Create a Block Storage (local storage) or Object Storage (cloud storage) repository based on your requirement.

For Block Storage:

    1. Select Server Proxy option for Data Processing and choose the appropriate Server Proxy.

    2. Then Choose the storage as Directly Attached Drive or Network Attached Drive connected to the Server Proxy machine.

For Object Storage:

    1. Select Server Proxy option for Data Processing and choose the corresponding Server Proxy.
    2. Provide the service endpoint and required credentials for the chosen object storage.

Step 4: Add Hypervisor Hosts (VMware/Hyper-V)  

1. In the BDRShield On-Prem (or) Cloud console, go to Inventory → Virtualization Hosts

2. Choose the type of host you are adding:

    1. VMware ESXi/vCenter: Enter the DNS name or IP address, and provide the root credentials. Remember to select the corresponding Server Proxy that will be managing your VMware host.

    2. Microsoft Hyper-V: Enter the DNS name or IP address of the Hyper-V standalone host, cluster, or SMB server, along with administrator credentials. Remember to select the corresponding Server Proxy that will be managing your Hyper-V host.

3. Add Credentials if not already configured. Use appropriate administrator or root permissions.

4. Review the information and click Save.

5. The added host will appear under the corresponding Inventory page, with a mention of the Server Proxy assigned to manage the host.

Step 5: Configure and Manage Backups  

  1. Once the hosts are added, navigate to Backup → Configure Backup → Virtual Machines on the BDRShield On-Prem (or) Cloud Console.
  2. Select VMware vSphere or Microsoft Hyper-V based on the Hypervisor host you added.

  3. Choose the Server Proxy you want to use for:

    1. Managing the hypervisor host

    2. Managing cloud uploads when choosing BDRShield Cloud Storage target

  4. Configure backup settings such as:
    1. Backup schedule.
    2. Retention policies.
    3. Data compression and encryption.
  1. Save the configuration to start backing up the Hypervisor hosts via Server Proxy.

Appendix: Terminology & Naming Conventions

  • BDRShield Cloud Deployment

    • Windows service name: BDRShield Cloud Server Proxy Service

    • Console: BDRShield Cloud Console

  • On-Prem Deployment

    • Windows service name: BDRShield Server Proxy Service

    • Console: BDRShield On-Prem Console

  • General Terminology

    • CMC (Centralized Management Console): BDRShield Cloud Console or BDRShield On-Prem Console

    • CMS (Centralized Management Server): BDRShield Cloud Server or BDRShield On-Prem Server

If you encounter any issues, please contact our 24/7 BDRShield Support (bdr-support@vembu.com)


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