Agent for VMware enables backup and recovery of ESX(i) virtual machines without installing agents into the guest systems. The agent is delivered as a virtual appliance.
Preparation
We highly recommend that you install Acronis Backup Management Server prior to the Agent for VMware installation.
Installation
There are three methods of installing Agent for VMware:
If you use VMware vSphere 6.5, this is the only available method. In other cases, use this method for troubleshooting purposes or if you cannot install Acronis Backup Management Server for some reason.
Connect the console to the management server. In the Navigation tree, right click Virtual machines, then click Deploy Agent for VMware. Refer to the context help for further instructions.
This is the easiest method. It is recommended in most cases. Connect the console to the management server. In the Navigation tree, right click Virtual machines, and then click Configure VMware vCenter integration. Specify the vCenter Server, and then enable Automatic deployment. Any time a virtual machine is selected for backup but the agent is not installed on its host, the Virtual Appliance will be automatically deployed on the host when the backup starts.
Providing licenses
Agent for VMware requires either of the following licenses to work:
The installation of the agent does not require a license. However, you must specify a license server when installing the management server, or when connecting the console to the agent (if the agent was imported manually). Once the agent starts backing up a virtual machine, the agent checks whether the virtual machine's host has a license. If it does not have one, the agent takes a free license from the specified license server and assigns it to the host. If the host is included in a cluster, licenses will be assigned to all of the clustered hosts. Therefore, you need one license for each clustered ESX(i). This ensures the uninterrupted operation of your backup plans when virtual machines are moved around the cluster.