MSP360 Backup
VMware Backup
Protect vSphere ESXi virtual machines with hypervisor-level backup - incremental, encrypted. Supports VMware vSphere/ESXi 6.0 through 8.0.
Why VMware Backup Software?
VMware is the leading enterprise hypervisor, used by SMBs and global infrastructure. Running VMware requires more than just deployment.
Snapshots aren't backups; they can slow hosts and vanish. A solid backup strategy involves moving VM data to versioned cloud storage with encryption and a tested restore process.
MSP360 offers a reliable, cost-effective backup solution, regardless of your hypervisor vendor.
Key Features
vSphere ESXi VM Backup
Back up all VMs, running VMs only, or a manually selected list. Choose specific virtual disks to include - exclude unnecessary disks to reduce storage costs. Supports vSphere 6.0 through 8.0.
Changed Block Tracking (CBT)
VMware's native Changed Block Tracking technology makes incrementals fast and storage-efficient. MSP360 uses VMware CBT APIs to identify and transfer only modified disk blocks on each run. Enable CBT per VM in the backup plan wizard. VMware Tools is required for application-consistent guest processing.
Application-Consistent Backups
MSP360 uses VMware Tools to quiesce guest applications before snapshotting. Configure per-VM: try app-consistent (fall back to crash-consistent if needed), require it (skip the VM if it fails), or disable. Supports SQL Server, Exchange, SharePoint, and other VSS-aware workloads.
Pre-Freeze (Beta) / Post-Thaw Scripts
Run custom scripts inside the guest VM before snapshot creation and after thaw. Useful for flushing application state, stopping non-VSS services, or triggering third-party quiesce logic. Configured in the Application Processing Options step of the backup wizard. Requires VMware Tools.
Transaction Log Backup
For SQL Server workloads running inside VMware VMs, MSP360 supports transaction log processing as part of application-consistent backup. Choose to truncate logs after a successful backup (recommended for most workloads) or use copy-only mode if a third-party tool manages your log chain independently.
Flexible Schedule, Retention & Synthetic Full
Simple (Forever Forward Incremental) or Advanced (GFS + Object Lock) schedules. Synthetic full backup support creates new full backups in-cloud without re-uploading all data. Set retention policies with weekly, monthly, and yearly tiers - or lock backups with Object Lock for compliance.
Encryption & Immutability
AES encryption (128/192/256-bit) in transit and at rest. Object Lock integration (with compatible storage like AWS S3 or Wasabi) creates immutable backups that can't be deleted or modified - even by an admin.
Managed
Centralized Management
Deploy and manage VMware backup plans from the MSP360 web console. One pane of glass for all clients, all endpoints, all hypervisors. Monitor backup status, set alerts, and respond to failures without logging into individual hosts.
Edition Comparison
Windows
Linux
macOS
VM Backup
| VMware | Hyper-V | Proxmox VE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features | |||
| File Backup | |||
| Image-Based Backup | |||
| Encryption and Compression | |||
| Restore to Cloud VM | |||
| Object Lock (Pro only) | |||
| Storage Limits | |||
| AWS, Wasabi, Backblaze B2, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Storage | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Local Storage | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Pricing and Support | |||
| Support | Email Support | Email Support | Community |
| Pricing* *Per computer, annual subscription. Price excludes VAT. | $279.99 Buy Now | $279.99 Buy Now | Free |
Built for MSPs
MSP Platform
MSP360 Backup for VMware is also part of MSP Software.
MSP360 Managed Backup simplifies backup management for MSPs across various clients and VM environments. Its web console allows remote monitoring of backup jobs and Proxmox environments, enabling detailed reports, trend analysis, and advanced alerts. Supporting Amazon S3, Wasabi, Backblaze B2, Azure, and IDrive e2.
MSP Platform Features
- Centralized management
- Advanced Reporting and Alerting
- Rebranding
- Mobile Application
- MSP360 Connect Included
- Support: 24/7/365 live technical support
FAQ
Does MSP360 support VMware vSphere 8?
Yes. MSP360 Backup supports vSphere ESXi 6.0 through 8.0.
Do I need to install the agent on the ESXi host?
No. MSP360 Backup VM Edition is installed on a separate Windows machine that has network access to the ESXi host. The agent connects to vSphere remotely - no software installed on the hypervisor itself.
What license do I need for VMware backup?
VMware backup requires the VM Edition license. In Backup Pro, this is the 'VMware / Hyper-V' SKU at $279.99/year - it covers both hypervisors and includes 2 socket licenses. For hosts with more than 2 physical processors, additional socket licenses are required ($139.99/year each). For Managed Backup, use the pricing calculator.
How does Changed Block Tracking work with MSP360?
CBT is VMware's built-in technology for tracking modified disk blocks between snapshots. MSP360 uses the CBT API to transfer only changed blocks on incremental runs - dramatically reducing backup size and time. Enable it per-VM in the backup plan wizard. VMware Tools is required for application-consistent guest processing, not for CBT itself.
Can MSP360 back up SQL Server running inside a VMware VM?
Yes. Application-consistent backup via VMware Tools quiescing ensures the VM snapshot captures SQL Server in a consistent state. For additional log management, MSP360 supports transaction log processing as part of the same backup - choose to truncate logs after backup or use copy-only mode to preserve the log chain for third-party tools.
Can I restore a VMware VM to the cloud?
Yes - MSP360 supports direct restore to Amazon EC2 and Microsoft Azure VM. If your on-prem vSphere environment is unavailable, you can spin up the VM in the cloud directly from the backup.
Does MSP360 support immutable VMware backups?
Yes. When using compatible storage (AWS S3 with Object Lock, Wasabi, or other S3-compatible providers with object locking), MSP360 can lock backup data so it cannot be modified or deleted for a defined period - protecting against ransomware and accidental deletion.
What's the difference between Backup Pro and Managed Backup for VMware?
Both offer the same VMware backup capabilities. Backup Pro is managed locally on each machine via the agent UI. Managed Backup adds a web console for remote plan creation, deployment, and monitoring across all hosts and clients - essential for MSPs managing multiple vSphere environments.
Related Resources
To explore more about MSP360 backup solutions and data protection best practices, visit our Resource Center.
Help
VMware Backup Overview
Learn how MSP360 backs up VMware vSphere ESXi VMs agentlessly - licensing model, socket requirements, and supported configurations.
Help
VMware Backup Plan
Step-by-step guide to configuring a VMware VM backup plan in MSP360 Backup - from selecting the ESXi host to scheduling and notifications.
Help
Application-Consistent VMware Backups
Find out how to enable VSS-based application-consistent snapshots for VMware VMs to ensure data integrity for databases and active workloads.
Help
Pre-Freeze / Post-Thaw Scripts
Learn how to configure pre-freeze and post-thaw scripts in VMware backup plans to quiesce applications before snapshot and resume them after. (Beta)
MSP360 Backup
Hyper-V Backup
Back up Hyper-V virtual machines with MSP360 - agent-based backup, flexible scheduling, CBT support, and flexible cloud storage options.
MSP360 Backup
Proxmox Backup
Protect Proxmox VE virtual machines with MSP360 - cloud storage flexibility, retention policies, and centralized management
Help
VM Edition Licensing Explained
Understand how VM Server and VM Socket licenses work in MSP360 Backup - including how licenses are assigned and what's needed for multi-socket hosts.
Whitepaper
VM Backup Best Practices
Download the whitepaper for expert recommendations on VM backup strategies, recovery testing, and ransomware protection.
VMware Backup That's Built for MSPs and IT Teams
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