Maybe both are correct! Perhaps the discrepancy folks are seeing relates to .vmdk files that are thick vs. thin provisioned. If it's thick-provisioned, the .vmdk file is full-size and thus when the .vmdk is backed up, you get everything (used and unused space). If it is thin-provisioned, the .vmdk only contains blocks that have been used, so when the .vmdk is backed up, you get a smaller backup.
In either case, it would seem the full .vmdk as it exists is backed up - the size of the backup just depends on whether that .vmdk contains unallocated blocks or not. -Ken On 7/10/13 4:00 AM, "Michael Roesch" <[email protected]> wrote: > So this sounds like a draw to me ;-) > > > On Tue, Jul 9, 2013 at 4:49 PM, Stefan Folkerts > <[email protected]>wrote: > >> I don't think this is correct, TSM for Virtual Environments (and even just >> the BA client with a simple full backup) will only backup the blocks that >> are in use inside the .vmdk file, this information is provided by the >> vSphere storage API. >> >> >> On Tue, Jul 9, 2013 at 3:15 AM, Stackwick, Stephen < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >>> According to this: >>> >>> >>> >> http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21641914&myns=swgtiv&mynp=OC >> SS8TDQ&mync=E >>> >>> TSM4VE backs up the whole disk. And that's been my experience. >>> >>> Steve >>> >>> STEPHEN STACKWICK | Senior Consultant | 301.518.6352 (m) | >>> [email protected] | icfi.com >>> ICF INTERNATIONAL | 410 E. Pratt Street Suite 2214, Baltimore, MD 21202 | >>> 410.539.1135 (o) >>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: ADSM: Dist Stor Manager [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf >>>> Of Robert Ouzen >>>> Sent: Monday, July 08, 2013 8:58 AM >>>> To: [email protected] >>>> Subject: [ADSM-L] FW: [ADSM-L] Should CBT be enabled before using TSM >> for >>>> VE to save space? >>>> >>>> Hi Wanda >>>> >>>> No quite sure at least in Vsphere 5 (maybe Vsphere 5.1) , I always >> check >>> with the >>>> command: dsmc show VM all and the parameter : changeTracking: Off >>>> >>>> About the first backup will take only the USED space , at least in my >>> environment >>>> some machines works fine but some others backup the ALL space !!! >>>> >>>> Best Regards >>>> >>>> Robert >>>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: ADSM: Dist Stor Manager [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf >>>> Of Prather, Wanda >>>> Sent: Monday, July 08, 2013 3:47 PM >>>> To: [email protected] >>>> Subject: Re: [ADSM-L] Should CBT be enabled before using TSM for VE to >>> save >>>> space? >>>> >>>> If your VM's were created in VSphere 5, CBT will be on by default. >>>> >>>> My understanding is that either way (starting with CBT on or off), you >>> should >>>> only get USED space on the first backup. >>>> >>>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: ADSM: Dist Stor Manager [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf >>>> Of Michael Roesch >>>> Sent: Monday, July 08, 2013 4:29 AM >>>> To: [email protected] >>>> Subject: [ADSM-L] Should CBT be enabled before using TSM for VE to save >>>> space? >>>> >>>> Hi there, >>>> >>>> I've read here >> http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21608413 >>>> that TSM for VE is using "content-aware" backup, if CBT is enabled. It >>> also says >>>> that TSM for VE will enable CBT after the first backup. >>>> >>>> So I'm wondering if enabling CBT before performing the first backup >> would >>>> make TSM for VE backup only the used blocks (i.e. used space) and hence >>> would >>>> save space on the storage pool? >>>> >>>> Or would TSM for VE still backup the full VMDK, including possible lots >>> of unused >>>> space inside it on the first backup? >>>> >>>> Regards, >>>> Michael >>> >>
