Top 3 Methods to Backup Hyper-V Virtual Machines

Virtualization best practices ensure the smooth running of virtual machines. A standout best practice is to back up your Hyper-V virtual machines. If you’re not an expert in the field of Hyper-V VM backup, we’re here to tell you that numerous VM backup methods exist.

Of all these backup methods, we’ve singled out three in particular. So if you want to know more about these Hyper-V backup processes, make sure to continue reading. This article will serve as your backup guide to Hyper-V virtual machines. So with all that said, let’s begin.

Backup Hyper-V Virtual Machine With Windows Server

A Windows server backup of Hyper-V virtual machines is a convenient and straightforward backup process. However, this method will only work with a Windows Server environment. Therefore, the process will only work if you use Hyper-V to virtualize a Windows Server.

If you fulfill this essential requirement, here is what you need to know about this particular Hyper-V virtual machine backup process;

• Install Windows Server Backup on the Hyper-V VMs you wish to backup;
• Open Windows Server Backup and navigate to the “Server Manager” section;
• Click on “Manage” on the right side and select “Add Roles and Features;”
• This will open a wizard. Select “Role-based or feature-based installation;”
• Select “Select a server from the server pool.” Navigate to “Server Roles” and click next. In the “Features” section, select “Windows Server Backup;”
• You will need to install Windows Server Backup. So, in the end, click Install;
• With Windows Server Backup now installed, you will need to initiate the backup process;
• Go back to the dashboard and click “Server Manager,” “Tools,” and finally, “Windows Server Backup;”
• Go over Backup Wizard, and in the end, click “Finish.”

Backup Hyper-V Virtual Machines With System Center Data Protection Manager

The System Center Data Protection Manager (System Center DPM) allows you to back up Hyper-V VMs and hosts. Therefore, this method is a guest-level backup and a host-level backup. Let’s go over the steps to backup Hyper-V VMs with this method:

• Download DPM from Microsoft’s download page;
• Install DPM on the host or guest you wish to back up its VM data;
• In System Center DPM, click “Protection” (located at the bottom) to initiate the Protection Group Wizard. From there, click on “New Protection Group;”
• There, you will need to select a server as a protection group. Select the server and then select the host(s) or guest(s) you wish to backup;
• Give the backup process a name and storage type, allocate storage space, and go over the list of backup strategies. You can choose full backup, incremental backup, or differential backup. Go with full backup if this is your first time backing up Hyper-V hosts or guests;
• Lastly, choose the destination for the backup, the replicate creation method, and the consistency of the backup;
• Review the changes one last time and click “Create Group.”

Backup Hyper-V VMs with Hyper-V Manager

Lastly, you can use Hyper-V’s native export tool to back up Hyper-V VMs. Here is how to do that:

• Launch Hyper-V Manager and select the VM you wish to backup;
• Right-click on the VM and select “Export;”
• Set the location for the export file and click “Export” once again.

As you can see, there are multiple ways to backup data from Hyper-V VMs, and even backup entire VM. But that’s not all the methods to backup Hyper-V virtual machines.

Additional methods include backing up with Windows PowerShell and, of course, using third-party tools. There’s a case to be made for using third-party tools as backup agents.

Third-party tools or software are specially designed to perform the task at hand. In our case, to backup Hyper-V VMs.

These tools are convenient but not free. So you should do your research to determine which tool is right for you. Ideally, you want a tool that can back up your entire virtual environment to multiple locations (on-premise and off-site).

Conclusion

That concludes this guide on the top three methods to back up Hyper-V virtual machines. All three methods are different and require using different tools. These tools range from native tools, such as Hyper-V Manager, to Windows Server Backup.

It’s important to mention that these backup methods vary and are almost entirely different. So use the one that makes the most sense and is most convenient. It’s also important to mention that some backup methods are easier to go over compared to others.

For example, backing up with Hyper-V Manager is the easier method, especially when other methods require installing a complex backup agent. Nonetheless, backups are essential for preserving data from your virtual machines. Hence why they’re essential for business continuity.