About HCX backups

If you’re anything like I am – you optimistically hope for the best, but are prepared for the worst. HCX Backups can be a saver when disaster strikes, causing the HCX Manager system to become degraded beyond repair.  

• The HCX system’s configuration can be generated as a file that can be used to restore to a healthy system.
• A backup file can be sent to a remote FTP server.
• Remote backups can be scheduled at a specific time, daily or weekly.

“Luck favors the prepared, Darling”

Edna Mode, The Incredibles

backup the HCX system

1. Browse to the the HCX Appliance Management UI (https://hcx-ip-or-fqdn:9443)
2. Navigate to Administration > Troubleshooting > Backup & Restore
3. Generate a Backup; or schedule a backup to a remote FTP server.

RESTORE THE HCX SYSTEM

1. Browse to the the HCX Appliance Management UI (https://hcx-ip-or-fqdn:9443)
2. Navigate to Administration > Troubleshooting > Backup & Restore
3. In the Restore section, click Choose File, select the backup file and click Continue.

Additional Information

HCX Service Appliances do not require individual backups.  If the HCX-IX/WO/NE becomes degraded, redeploy it!

A restored HCX Manager will reconnect to existing HCX service appliances that were created within the backup time frame, or if the service VMs are no longer functional, the manager can deploy VMs based on the backed up configuration.

• The configuration backup file is generated in tar.gz format. 
• Hostname, IP, User Passwords or any other configuration entered prior to kicking off the restore will be superseded by what is contained within the backup file.

• A restore should only be performed on a freshly deployed HCX system of the same version that was backed up
  (tip: use the Site Paired / remote HCX system’s System Updates view to locate the deployed version.)
• A restored HCX Manager system cannot connect to HCX service appliances that were created during a time after the backup file was generated. 
• The freshly deployed HCX system requires only minimum deployment configuration to be manageable and network reachable from the operator’s workstation.

As always my intention is share useful knowledge, not as a replacement for official information found in the VMware HCX Documentation on docs.vmware.com.

🖖🏼Gabe