Question : Create an automatic snapshot process and ideally a copy process with ESXI 4.0

Hello,

I'm completely new to ESXI 4.0 (never used a previous version either).   I have the system up and running.  I've created a virtual machine that runs a server OS.    I'd like to create more VMs but first I'd like to know how to schedule automatic snapshots to be created and ideally have them copy to a network location.  

We don't have the budget for much software or a full version of ESX.   Can you please let me know how to create these backups?

Thanks

Answer : Create an automatic snapshot process and ideally a copy process with ESXI 4.0

First, why do you want to create snapshots? As a FYI, they are not to be used for a b/u solution...only for updating VMs (use snapshots as a restore point in case of VM corruption after performing updates, etc.).

If you want a b/u solution, with ESXi you are very limited in what you can do. You can use Veeam FastSCP (http://www.veeam.com/vmware-esxi-fastscp.html) to make copies of your VMs, but you have to power down your VMs to do so. The same with using WinSCP (http://winscp.net/eng/download.php).

Regards,
~coolsport00