Configuring Server Proxy for Hyper-V Backup

Configuring Server Proxy for Hyper-V Backup

The Server Proxy in BDRShield/BDRCloud is a component designed to extend backup and recovery capabilities to remote environments, particularly for backing up virtual machines (VMs), physical servers, or hypervisors that are not directly connected to the backup server. It acts as an intermediary between the Centralized Management Server and remote machines or hypervisors, allowing you to securely and efficiently manage backups across multiple sites.

Use case

Centralized Management Across Distributed Sites:

By using Server Proxies at each remote site, the enterprise can manage and configure backups for all their locations from a single centralized console, simplifying backup administration for the IT team.
Network Efficiency:
The Server Proxy reduces the load on the Centralized Management Server by offloading backup operations to the local machine. This minimizes bandwidth usage and ensures that backup tasks are handled efficiently within the local network.
Secure Backup Operations:
The Server Proxy ensures secure communication between the remote systems and the Centralized Management Server, protecting sensitive data during backup operations. Encryption and authentication mechanisms are used to safeguard data integrity and privacy.
Backup for Remote Virtualized Environments:
An organization uses the Server Proxy to back up VMware ESXi and Microsoft Hyper-V environments in remote offices, ensuring that virtual machines are regularly backed up.
Flexibility in Backing Up Diverse Environments:
With the Server Proxy, the enterprise can back up a variety of systems, including virtual machines, and even cloud-based workloads, across different network segments and locations, ensuring comprehensive data protection.
Lets see how to set up and configure the BDRShield Server Proxy to add and back up VMware and Hyper-V Hypervisor hosts.

Step 1: Download the Server Proxy Installer

  1.  Access the Centralized Management Server at: https://console.bdrshield.com 

    For on-prem deployments, access the Centralized Management  Console at http://hostname: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

  4. Supported Operating Systems:

Windows Server 2012 and above (64-bit)

Windows 8.1 and above (64-bit)

Debian Linux 10.0 & above (64-bit)

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 generated during the Server Proxy download in a text file.

2. Right-click the installer and select Install. 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. Click Install with default settings, or customize as per your environment.

Upon successful installation, the Server Proxy will automatically connect to the Centralized Management Server 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.

Step 4: Add Hyper-V Host 

1. In the Centralized Management Server console, go to Inventory → Virtualization Hosts

2. Choose Microsoft Hyper-V and 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.Define the maximum number of backup tasks that can run at once.

5. Review the information and click Save.

6. 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 Hyper-V Backups 

Access Backup Settings

  1. Once the Hyper-V host is added, go to Backup → Configure Backup → Virtual Machines in the Centralized Management Server.

  2. Select Hyper-V as the Hypervisor
    Choose Microsoft Hyper-V as the hypervisor type.

  3. Configure Backup Options
    Set the backup preferences:

    • Backup Schedule: Define when backups should run.

    • Retention Policies: Set how long backup data will be retained.

    • Data Compression and Encryption: Enable compression and encryption for backup files.

Choose the Server Proxy you want to use for:

    • Managing the hypervisor host

    • Managing cloud uploads when choosing BDRShield Cloud Storage target

  1. Save Configuration
    Click Save to apply the backup settings and initiate backups for the Hyper-V host via the Server Proxy.

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