Knowledge and Resources Centre

Where should I install VM Backup, and what OSs are supported?

To get started, download and install VM Backup on a machine running one of the following supported Windows OSs:

• Azure Stack HCI
• Windows Server 2022
• Windows Server 2019
• Windows Server 2016
• Windows Server 2012
• Windows Server 2012 R2
• Windows 2008 R2

This will be the machine managing your backup configuration and where the backups will be processed.

What versions of VMware are supported?

You can back up the following VMware Hosts with VM Backup:

• VMware ESXi 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 6.7, 7.0 & 8
• VMware vSphere 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 6.7, 7.0 & 8
• VMware vCenter 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 6.7, 7.0 & 8

VM Backup V9 also includes support for VMWare ESXi, vSphere and vCenter 8.0.

Does VM Backup work on Windows Server 2022 and Azure Stack HCI?

Yes, it does.

Does VM Backup work on Windows Server 2019?

Yes, it does.

Does VM Backup work on Windows 2008 (not R2)?

Unfortunately, not. We support Windows Server 2016, 2008 R2, 2012 and 2012 R2 (all editions), as well as Hyper-V Server 2012 (Core).

Does VM Backup work on Windows Server 2016?

Yes, it does.

Does VM Backup work on Windows 2012 R2?

Yes, it does.

Can I install on Hyper-V Server / Server Core?

Yes, you can install Altaro VM Backup directly on a core server as per these instructions.

What versions of VM Backup support your subscription model?

Altaro VM Backup subscription keys can only be entered in version 8.15.x or newer. If you are running an older version, please update your software at no cost before entering the key.

Does VM backup support virtual machine replication?

Yes it does. Replication can be done through VPN or WAN connections to our Offsite Backup Server.

What environments are supported for replication?

VM replication is currently supported exclusively on Hyper-V hosts. VMware host support is coming soon.

Which host OSs are compatible for replication?

• Hyper-V 2012 can be replicated to Hyper-V 2012 / 2012r2.
• Hyper-V 2012r2 can be replicated to Hyper-V 2012r2.
• Hyper-V 2016 can be replicated to Hyper-V 2016 / 2019.
• Hyper-V 2019 can be replicated to Hyper-V 2019.
• Hyper-V 2022 can be replicated to Azure Stack HCI / Windows Server 2022.

Can I back up the Free Edition of VMware or VMware workstation?

No, VM Backup cannot back up these versions of VMware.

Are any tools available to help me manage VM Backup?

Yes, you can download our Offsite Backup Server to enable offsite backups (WAN or LAN) and you can download our Management Tools to run the remote management console which enables you to connect to one or many remote installations. You can download these tools here.

How do you upgrade to version 9.0?

An upgrade wizard has been designed as part of version 9 which will handle migrating your configuration to the new version. Click here for more information.

Can I monitor multiple VM Backup installations?

Yes, you can download Management Tools to run the remote management console which enables you to connect to one or many remote installations.

Can I manage both VMware and Hyper-V hosts from one Management Console?

Yes, if you have both VMware and Hyper-V hosts in the same LAN, you will be able to manage both host infrastructures from just one Management Console.

Will I be able to take offsite backups for disaster recovery?

Yes, you can choose to take a second copy to one location - such as a NAS or a local drive. You even have the option to swap a pool of drives, which contains a full copy on each, so a complete restore can be performed from each of the drives. More information on setting this up here. We also offer the option to take backups over WAN/VPN/Internet connection via our Offsite Server, a tool we developed to ensure that backups arrive consistent over such connections which are more prone to disconnections. More information on setting this up here.

Can I run test restores to ensure that my backups are fully restorable?

Yes, the Sandbox Restore feature will allow you to verify the integrity of the data on the backup drive. You can choose to either Verify the backup folder without attaching the VM to the VM Manager or else you can even perform a full restore in order to be able to boot up the VM itself. This operation will not affect the live VMs.

Can I backup VM's which are MS Exchange or SQL?

Yes, for VMs running on VMware we have developed VM Tools, which can be deployed to the VM through the main management console in order to truncate the transaction logs for MS Exchange and SQL. VMs running on a Hyper-V host will handle this by default without the need for an agent on the guest VM.

Can I restore a VM backed up from VMware to Hyper-V or vice-versa?

No, this is not possible using VM Backup, however Microsoft already offer tools to convert your VMs.

How does your pricing work?

Our pricing is straightforward: Choose whether to buy a perpetual license (with a renewable Software Maintenance Agreement) or an annual subscription.

If you opt to purchase a perpetual license, you pay per host, not per CPU or socket. If you choose to subscribe, you pay per VM.

Either way, VM Backup is an easy fit for tight budgets. Contrary to other vendors, 24/7 support is included in the price.

Do you offer discounts to educational, government, non-profit or NGO organizations?

Yes we do! Please contact us for more details.

Do you offer volume discounts?

We offer volume discounts. Please contact us to get a custom quote!

How can VM Backup help with my GDPR compliance activities?

GDPR is the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation which gives data subjects more control over their personal data while providing businesses with the benefit of a level playing field through the harmonization of data privacy laws across Europe. One area of GDPR concerns data recovery and the practical, technical aspects of data storage. For reliable, powerful virtual machine (VM) backup and recovery, VM Backup can help you meet a number of GDPR requirements. Learn more here.

Disclaimer: The information provided does not in any way constitute legal advice. Anyone who intends to rely upon or use the information contained herein in any way is solely responsible for independently verifying the information and obtaining independent expert advice if required.

Your website mentions a freeware version – how can I get this?

We provide a free trial version of our solution for 30 days. Beyond the 30-day trial period, if you do not buy the product, you can opt to use the Free Edition of VM Backup, free for 2 VMs forever – our way of helping micro businesses. For this, you will need to request a freeware license key here.

Do I pay a one-time price? Does the price include support?

You can choose how to purchase VM Backup. You can opt to buy a perpetual license (with a renewable Software Maintenance Agreement) or as an annual subscription.

If you prefer a one-time purchase or perpetual license, you pay per host, not per CPU or socket. This includes a 1-year Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA), which entitles you to receive premium 24/7 Support and upgrades.

You can purchase additional SMA Renewals as part of your New Licence purchase and benefit from an advantageous rate.

You can also choose to renew later. From year 2 onward, you will have the option to renew at a cost of 35% of the current license price, per extra year of SMA. If you choose to renew for 2 years, you benefit from 5% discount on the price for 1 year; if you choose to renew for 3 years, you benefit from 10% discount on the 1 year price; and if you choose to renew for 4 years you benefit from 15% discount on the 1-year price. You can ask our Renewals Team for a quote.

You can choose not to renew the SMA and in that case the product will still continue working but you will not be eligible for technical support and major/minor upgrades.
Click here for more information.

If you prefer a subscription, please see the following question. Our subscription model enables you to pay per VM.

Is it possible to subscribe to the product?

When it comes to purchasing VM Backup, you can choose to buy a perpetual license (with a renewable Software Maintenance Agreement) or an annual subscription.

If you choose to subscribe, your subscription will be to the Unlimited Plus Edition of VM Backup. When you subscribe, you pay per VM and you can freely move VMs across hosts with no restraints. The price includes backup and recovery services, priority 24/7 support and the latest functionality and patch fixes for the duration of your subscription.

The subscription is pre-paid for one or more years. There's a minimum starting subscription that includes up to 5 VMs per year - you can scale to thousands of VMs.

Should you need to add more VMs, you can do so during your subscription term and simply pay for the remaining months. VM backups can be purchased in batches of five (5).

If you have any questions, please contact us.

If you prefer a one-time purchase or perpetual license, please see the previous question. Our perpetual license option enables you to select the edition you require and pay per host.

Are any add-ons (e.g. our Offsite Server, remote/central management tools) licensed separately?

No. Add-ons do not require a license as long as the host is assigned a Standard, Unlimited or Unlimited Plus Edition license.

Do I need to re-install if I want to upgrade from the Free Edition?

No, you can simply replace your Free Edition key with the new license key purchased and all the product's features will be available to you right away.

Can I upgrade from my present version to the latest version of VM Backup?

If you subscribe to VM Backup, then you always have access to the latest version of the product as long as your subscription is active. (Note that VM Backup subscription keys can only be entered in version 8.15.x or newer. If you are running an older version, please update your software at no cost before entering the key.)

When you have a perpetual license, customers who have a valid Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA) can upgrade for free.

Customers without an active SMA can upgrade too – for example: a customer on v6 without a valid SMA can now pay to upgrade to v8. Upgrades include a one-year SMA. Click here for upgrade pricing.

Either way, be sure to check for upgrade instructions before you switch to a new version.

Can I upgrade from the Standard Edition or Unlimited Edition to the Unlimited Plus Edition?

Yes, you can. Click here for upgrade pricing.
Be sure to check for upgrade instructions before you switch to a new version.