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ESX to ESX requirements

Use these requirements if your source is a virtual server on an ESX server, you want to protect the host-level virtual disk files, and your target is a virtual server on an ESX server.

ESX servers—The ESX servers that will host your source and target can be any of the following operating systems.

ESX 3.5.x Standard, Advanced, Enterprise, or Enterprise Plus
ESX 4.0.x or 4.1 Standard, Advanced, Enterprise, or Enterprise Plus

Note: The ESX versions listed are commonly referred to as the Classic edition. The ESXi versions, commonly referred to as the Embedded and Installable edition, are not supported for ESX to ESX protection.

If your source and target are running on different versions of ESX, ideally, the target should be a newer version of ESX. If your source must be a newer version of ESX than the target, you must take into consideration ESX features that are supported on the newer version on the source (like VmxNet enhanced or additional virtual NICs available) that will not be supported on the earlier target version of ESX

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VirtualCenter—Although VirtualCenter is not required, it is recommended. If you are using it, then you must use version 2.5 or later.

Note: VMotion is only supported if you are using VirtualCenter.

Do not use MSDE for the VirtualCenter database.
Double-Take Availability for VMware Infrastructure service and console—The service and console can be run from a physical or virtual machine running Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP, or any of the supported server operating systems.
Ports—You must open ports 22, 443, and 6331 on the source and target servers. Complete instructions for this process are included in your ESX to ESX protection steps.
Microsoft .NET Framework—The source and target servers require the Microsoft .NET Framework version 3.5 Service Pack 1. This version is not included in the .NET version 4.0 release. Therefore, even if you have .NET version 4.0 installed, you will also need version 3.5.1. You can install this version from the Double-Take Availability CD, via a web connection during the Double-Take Availability installation, or from a copy you have obtained manually from the Microsoft web site.
E-mail notification—In order to use automatic e-mail notification, you must add VI_Service.exe to the exception list of most anti-virus and spam filters. In addition, you may need to open port 25 in your anti-trust software to allow SMTP e-mail.