Well, it’s been way too long since I updated this one. Time for a bit of how-to!
There are times when ‘normal’ backup procedures are in doubt, or even when there are no backup procedures whatsoever. During these times, it’s pretty much essential to either create a good backup/reco scheme or well simply get your images on a off-server drive in case something happens WHILE you’re getting your new strategy in place.
To get to your images, you’ll first have to get access to the server. USUALLY ESX servers are given an SFTP setting, which only certain clients can handle. In this case, I’ll be giving examples as though someone was using WinSCP as their SFTP client. Not all ESX servers will require this, so test logging in with a normal client when in doubt, if it doesn’t work, well then you know that you’ve got either a config problem or need an SFTP client.
I’m not going to cover how to config the client, it’s pretty straightforward and if you’re playing with ESX you should know what you’re doing. If you don’t know what you’re doing, stop now before you destroy something and go get someone on your IT team that knows what’s going on. I cannot stress this enough for you can do irrevocable damage to your system, and I’m not responsible for anything that happens regardless.
If you are comfortable with what you’re about to do, then go ahead and read the rest of this post… otherwise, just rely on someone that does know, or get a true-blue backup solution. Don’t risk your company’s data over a gamble, it is never, ever worth it.