I would like to follow up on the vSphere workshop we had on 9.3 and answer questions about vCenter 6.5 backup:
Q1: Is the backup single file? What is approximately a size?
A1: Backup is multiple files (screen1 attached) one per specific service. Approximate backup size might differ base on the number of components you are using (VUM, image builder and their data). During the backup process, it is calculated how much space it will approximately need (screen2), the portal in latest available version seems to be still unable to include amount of data from VUM and Imagebuilder, therefore 1.2GB expected by the tool differs by about 500GB from the real situation.
Q2: Best practice for backup of VCSA in HA mode
A2: VCSA in HA mode supports standard configuration backup through VCSA VAMI. In such case only configuration of the primary appliance is backed up. During the restore process VCSA is properly restored with HA mode being disabled -> afterwards HA mode should be re-enabled. In this case this was expected behavior as the VCSA VAMI backup is in-guest backup therefore it is not fully aware of the configuration of the other VCSA nodes (like Image level backup would be).
Test observations
During the tests I noticed strange problem, which was so far identified as a bug. For initial placement of the Secondary and Witness appliance is not supported to choose SDRS Cluster. Further in the deployment you can choose specific datastores (can be part of the SDRS Cluster) and that should be supported configuration – but it is still not accepted and you are not allowed to proceed with the deployment (screen3). I’m currently working with the PM team and engineering to clarify the setup and resolve the problem.
