esXpress is a backup platform tuned specifically for VMware ESX virtual servers. With the latest release, the program is installed and operates on the virtual server itself as a Virtual Backup Appliance, providing its own GUI interface; and each instance operates independently from all other hosts upon which it is installed (the vendor states that a centralized GUI is in development). esXpress provides the capability to perform both full and incremental backups of ESX VMDK files.

esXpress creates compressed backup files and transmits them to a designated FTP server (the FTP server can be running any OS) and/or VMFS LUN (SAN, iSCSI, local) or other storage resource in one pass, no extra temporary storage capacity is required on the host server during the backup process. The data is both compressed and encrypted as it is stored; encryption options are supported up to 256-bits.

A key feature of the platform is its support for differential "Index" backups, where only the data of the virtual machine that has changed since the last full backup are stored on the FTP server. The differential process relies on an index map that is created during each full restore of the virtual machine. Should this map be inaccessible or invalid, or should the virtual machine's specifications change (it is enlarged or reduced, for example), the platform will automatically perform another full backup at the next scheduled interval. Out of the box, the platform automatically works on a monthly cycle; performing a new full backup on the 2nd of each month and then performing index backups the other nights. Hourly and/or manual backups can also be setup and performed by the administrator.

The backup files created by the platform are self-executing; and therefore can be run directly on the target Linux or Windows machine without requiring that the esXpress software is installed there (running the files on Windows requires CYGWIN). According to the vendor, the restore process features the ability to correctly import the restored VMDK into the VMFS; by first creating the VMDK file and then importing the backup data.

The latest release of esXpress focuses on redundancy and performance enhancements. The program now installs as a Virtual Backup Appliance on the virtual server itself (previously it ran through the service console); a change that, according to the vendor, increases overall efficiency by enabling the backup process to operate as a VM under the control of the vmkernel, as opposed to competing with the vmkernel for resources. Additionally, each of the VBAs is multithreaded; a feature that can be enabled by changing the number of vCPUs assigned to the VBAs from 1 to 2. For high availability, dual VBAs are deployed on the host machine by default; and a backup target feature enables backups to continue operating with up to 9 failover backup locations should the primary backup target(s) fail (or run out of space). As a VBA, the product can additionally now leverage VMware's own HA features for virtual machine failover.

An upcoming release (currently in beta and scheduled for July 1 GA) is expected to add the ability to backup VMs that may have snap shots, CIFS backup target support, and auto/mass restore features, among others.

esXpress is offered in 4 versions:

- esXpress FREE Mode

- esXpress LE, which is targeted to non-san attached hosts, remote locations, test/dev environments, or small ESX farms, and runs 2 VBAs that are capped at 36MB/sec total performance.

- esXpress Pro, with no speed cap and support for "one-up" backup targets and local configurations (allows you to set VM specific backup instructions, overriding the default settings). esXpress Pro runs 4 VBAs.

- esXpress Enterprise, with the same feature set as Pro but with up to 8 VBAs.

esExpress is available now; the newest release is currently in beta and expected to be available on July 1. Visit the esXpress Web site for further information.

product submission by EITPlanet Staff

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