Backup VMware VM to Azure [A Complete Guide]

Backing up your VMware virtual machines (VMs) to Azure can be done using a variety of Microsoft-supported tools, depending on your goals. The most common method is to use Microsoft Azure Backup Server (MABS) or DPM to back up via Azure, among others. In this next article, you will learn more about Azure backup VMware ESXi.

Why Backup VMware VMs to Azure

Backup VMware VM to Azure can provide:

• Offsite protection against hardware failure, ransomware, or natural disaster.
• Scalable cloud storage with flexible retention policies.
• Centralized management through Azure Backup.
• Reduced infrastructure overhead compared to traditional backup systems.
• Compliance and long-term retention with geo-redundant or locally redundant options.

How to Backup VMware VMs to Azure

Prerequisites

• On-premises vCenter or standalone ESXi host.
• Windows Server VM to host Azure Backup Server.
• Recovery Services Vault in Azure.
• Network connectivity between MABS and VMware environment.

Step 1. Set Up Recovery Services Vault

1. Sign in to the Azure Portal.

2. Go to Backup Center > + Vault.

3. Select subscription, resource group, and region.

4. Once created, open the vault and download the Azure Backup Server installer.

Step 2. Install the Azure Backup Server

1. Deploy a Windows Server virtual machine (VM).

2. Install MABS using the downloaded package.

3. During setup:

• Connect to your Recovery Services Vault.
• Set up storage (local disks for short-term backup).

Step 3. Connect to VMware

1. Open the MABS console.

2. Navigate to Management > Production Servers > Add.

3. Select VMware Servers.

4. Provide the vCenter or ESXi host details and credentials.

5. MABS will identify virtual machines (VMs) in the environment.

Step 4. Configure Backup Policy

1. Go to Protection > New Protection Group.

2. Select VMware VMs to back up.

3. Define the schedule and retention policy.

4. Choose storage location (local, Azure, or both).

5. Save and run the initial backup.

Alternative: Backup VMware VMs to AOMEI Cyber Backup

You can also choose to back up VMware ESXi VMs with AOMEI Cyber Backup, a professional and user-friendly backup tool that helps protect VM data. In the event of a disaster, it enables quick data restoration. This tool offers a comprehensive solution for protecting virtual machines:

• Agentless Image Backup: It creates independent and image-based backup for VMware ESXi and Hyper-V VMs.
• Various Backup Methods: Besides full backup, you can also perform incremental or differential VM backup to capture only changed data and save storage space.
• Restore from Any Point: You can restore a whole VM to a usable state from any history backup version.
• Support Free ESXi: It supports both paid and free versions of VMware ESXi.

Only 4 steps to backup and restore ESXi VMs

Step 1. Navigate to Source Device > VMware > + Add VMware Device, then choose to Add vCenter or Standalone ESXi.

Step 2. Click Backup Task > Create New Task to create an insurance for VMs.

Enter a task name and choose VMware ESXi Backup.

In Device Name, select the host and virtual machines you want to back up.

In Target, select a destination to store virtual machine files. You can connect the external hard drive to VM to store the backup files, such as a flash drive or USB hard drive, or backup VM to NAS.

In the Schedule, enable the backup schedule plan. It offers flexible backup strategies such as full/incremental/differential backup to safeguard VMware data comprehensively. You can specify the backup time as daily/weekly/monthly, which will keep tracking the changed data and offer continuous protection.

Step 3. Click Start Backup.

Step 4. Click Restore, then choose the restore content and target.

Conclusion

Backing up VMware virtual machines to Azure using Azure Backup Server provides a reliable, enterprise-ready solution for protecting mission-critical workloads. This approach features agentless backups, flexible restore options, and integration with Azure Scalable Cloud Storage to simplify the backup process while increasing data resiliency and business continuity.