An ability to back up and restore vCenter Server Appliance (vCSA) configurations first appeared in vCSA 6.5, and scheduling was added in 6.7. vCSA 8.0 Update 3 retains these functions under the Backup and Restore feature. This guide describes how to back up and restore vCSA 8.0 U3 configuration.
What is vCSA Backup and Restore?
The Backup and Restore feature performs file-based backups of the appliance’s configuration, database, inventory, and optional historical data. Backups are streamed off-appliance to remote targets over supported protocols: FTP, FTPS, HTTP, HTTPS, SFTP, NFS, or SMB. You can use these backups to deploy a fresh appliance with identical settings whenever you need to recover or migrate.
How is the feature implemented in vCSA 8.0 U3?
Access the vCenter Server Appliance Management Interface (VAMI) at:
https://<vCSA-IP-or-FQDN>:5480
Select Backup in the left-hand menu. The UI separates manual backups (Backup Now) from scheduled backups (Configure).
Backup scheduling
- Click Configure on the Backup page to open the scheduler.
- Enter the backup location URL using one of the supported protocols (FTP, FTPS, HTTP, HTTPS, SFTP, NFS, SMB).
- Provide server credentials and choose a frequency:
- Daily
- Weekly (select specific days and time)
- Custom (cron-style schedule)
- (Optional) Set an encryption password for the backup archive.
- Specify Number of backups to retain to define retention policy.
- In Data Options, include Stats, Events, and Tasks if desired. Estimated storage usage appears here.
Backing up manually
Click Backup Now to launch the manual backup dialog. It mirrors the scheduler dialog but omits frequency settings. You can reuse the last configured location and credentials, and add a Description for context. Completed backups appear in the Backup History panel.
On the backup target, folders are named with:
- A prefix S (scheduled) or M (manual)
- The appliance build (e.g., 8.0.3)
- The backup date
Each folder contains:
- An encrypted archive (*.enc)
- A metadata file (*.json)
Restoring vCSA 8.0 U3 from a backup
Restoration uses the vCSA 8.0 U3 installer ISO. Important: You must use the exact same vCSA installer version (8.0 Update 3) that matches the backup version. Using a different version may lead to restore failures or inconsistent results.
Mount the ISO, run the installer, and choose Restore.
Stage 1: Deploy appliance
- Enter the backup location URL and credentials.
- Review the backup details.
- Specify the target ESXi host (or vCenter), port 443, and host credentials.
- Provide a new VM name and root password. (Important: If you must reuse the old VM name or IP address, you must power off or relocate the original vCSA VM before proceeding with restoration to avoid conflicts.)
- Adjust appliance storage size and network settings as needed.
- Review all settings and click Finish.
Stage 2: Apply backup settings
- If the backup was encrypted, enter the encryption password.
- Confirm the settings and start the restore process.
- On successful completion, open the restored vCSA in a browser at its IP or FQDN.
Post-Restore Validation
After restoration is complete, perform these essential validation steps:
- Verify successful vCSA login using both the vSphere Client and VAMI interfaces.
- Confirm all ESXi hosts are connected and communicating properly with vCenter.
- Check that all VMs are visible and properly inventoried.
- Verify all permissions, roles, and tags were restored correctly.
- Test critical vCenter functions like VM provisioning and vMotion.
- Ensure all integrated services (SSO, vSAN, NSX, etc.) are functioning correctly.
- Review vCenter Server logs for any errors or warnings.
Comparison with Other Backup Methods
The built-in vCSA Backup and Restore feature offers several advantages compared to alternative approaches:
| Backup Method | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| vCSA Built-in Backup | VMware-supported solution
Preserves configuration integrity Simple scheduling Selective data inclusion |
Requires separate storage location
Two-stage restore process |
| VM Image-based Backup | Full system recovery
Usually faster to restore Single-step process |
Larger backup size
Potential database consistency issues May require VM shutdown for best results |
| Manual Configuration Export | Granular control
Minimal storage requirements |
Labor intensive
Prone to human error Incomplete coverage |
Conclusion
The restore process creates a new appliance with identical settings, leaving the original VM untouched. To reuse the original name or IP address, shut down or move the old appliance before deploying the restored one. vCSA 8.0 Update 3’s two-stage workflow delivers consistent configuration recovery with minimal downtime. Combining the native backup feature with proper post-restore validation ensures your vCenter environment returns to full operational status quickly and reliably. For critical environments, consider implementing multiple backup methods for comprehensive protection.
