While some people argue that backing up a VMware ESX Server is unnecessary because it takes almost no time to reload the whole system from scratch, others argue that you can’t do without ESX Server backup. This is good reasoning for several reasons, not the least of which is the fact that you don’t want to spend time reloading your ESX Server when everything has just crashed and you’re ready to pull your hair out because of all your paperwork for the end of the month, anyway.

There are several solutions for backing up your ESX Server, but they aren’t all created equally. Some of them actually use too much space on the virtual machines that are your server’s life, and others are complex and time consuming, and they also require hardware and software that you were supposed to be able to get rid of with an ESX Server.

Some of the best ways to back up your ESX Server involve completely virtual backup software. With this type of system, your server can actually self-restore, needing less or your time and manpower to run at full-speed again. Because this system doesn’t involve lots of software and hardware, it can back up each ESX host with sixteen concurrent backup streams, making the whole process of backing up your server less time-consuming and all-around annoying.

Besides all this, you should look for an ESX Server backup solution that involves instant file level restoration, which can also save you tons of time and headaches if something happens to your server, which will inevitably happen during one of your busiest, craziest days. At any rate, if you’re running your business on an ESX Server – or several of them – it is absolutely essential that you know how to back up your server properly with the right type of system.