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Backing up and restoring Orchestrator server data on a VMware ESXi host

At times, you might need to restore Orchestrator server data from a backup. Several alternatives are available to back up and restore a Lenovo SDI Management Platform virtual appliance that is running on a VMware ESXi host. The specific process to use to restore from a backup is typically based on the process that was used to create the backup. This topic discusses how to backup and restore using the VMware vSphere Client.

About this task​

If VMware vCenter Server is installed, you can use the backup capability that is provided with VMware vCenter to back up Lenovo SDI Management Platform.

If you do not have VMware vCenter Server installed, you can use the VMware vSphere Client to create a backup of the virtual machine by copying the files from the Lenovo SDI Management Platform folder to another folder in the same datastore. You can also copy the files to a different datastore or even a different host for additional backup protection.

Note: VMware vCenter Server is not required to perform a backup using this procedure. :::

Procedure​

  • To back up Lenovo SDI Management Platform by creating a backup using VMware vSphere Client, complete the following steps.

    1. Shut down Lenovo SDI Management Platform.

    2. Launch the VMware vSphere Client, and connect to the ESXi host on which Lenovo SDI Management Platform is located.

    3. Create a new folder in the same datastore that is used by Lenovo SDI Management Platform.

      • Select the ESXi host in the navigation tree, and click the Configure tab in the right window.

      • Click Hardware > Storage.

      • Right-click the datastore for Lenovo SDI Management Platform, and then click Browse Datastore.

      • Select the root folder, and then create a new folder to contain a copy of Lenovo SDI Management Platform files.

    4. Click the Lenovo SDI Management Platform folder.

    5. Select all of the files in the folder, and copy the files to the backup folder that you just created.

    6. Restart Lenovo SDI Management Platform.

  • To restore Lenovo SDI Management Platform by using the backup created in the previous procedure, complete the following steps.

  1. Launch the VMware vSphere Client, and connect to the ESXi host on which Lenovo SDI Management Platform is installed.

  2. Right-click Lenovo SDI Management Platform in the left navigation tree, and then click Power > Power Off.

  3. Right-click Lenovo SDI Management Platform in the left navigation tree again, and then click Remove from Inventory.

  4. Delete the files from the Lenovo SDI Management Platform folder in the datastore that is used by the SDI Management Platform.

  • Select the ESXi host in the navigation tree, and click the Configure tab in the right window.

  • Click Hardware > Storage.

  • Right-click the datastore for Lenovo SDI Management Platform, and then click Browse Datastore.

  • Select the Lenovo SDI Management Platform folder.

  • Select all files in the folder, right-click the files, and click Delete selected items.

  1. Select the folder where the backup files are stored.

  2. Select all of the files in the folder, and copy them to the Lenovo SDI Management Platform folder.

  3. In the Lenovo SDI Management Platform folder, right-click the VMX file, and click Add to Inventory.

  4. Complete the wizard to add Lenovo SDI Management Platform data.

  5. Restart Lenovo SDI Management Platform from VMware vSphere Client.

  6. When you are prompted to choose whether the VM was moved or copied, select moved.

Important: If you select Copy, the VM is given a UUID that is different than that of the original VM, which makes the VM act like a new instance and unable to see previously managed devices.