Step 4: Adding the virtual appliance to the management server

The minimum set of components that enables backing up virtual machines from a host includes the management console, the license server and the agent. With this set, you can back up and recover virtual machines using the direct console-agent connection.

However, Acronis highly recommends that you install and use Acronis Backup & Recovery 11.5 Management Server, even if you have only one ESX(i) host. The management server lets you easily deploy and update agents, set up and monitor backups of your virtual machines. If, for better performance, you configure several agents to manage the same host, the management server will automatically distribute virtual machines between the agents. This is necessary to equalize the agents' load and to avoid a conflict of snapshots which may occur if two agents try to back up a virtual machine simultaneously.

If you are planning to use the management server, register the virtual appliance on the server.

To add the virtual appliance to the management server

1. Start Acronis Backup & Recovery 11.5 Management Console.
2. Connect the management console to the virtual appliance using the IP address displayed in the virtual appliance console.
3. Select Options > Machine options > Machine management from the top menu.
4. Select Centralized management and specify the management server IP/name. Click OK.
5. Specify the user name and password for the management server administrator's account. Click OK.

Alternatively, you can add the appliance to the management server on the server's side.