KVM Backup Best Practices using BDRSuite

Are you running KVM as your Virtualization Hypervisor? Are you looking for a product to backup the VMs in your KVM environment? Then look no further! BDRSuite can backup your KVM environment with ease! Check out the features below:

  • Agentless backup for KVM VMs
  • Changed Block Tracking for incremental backups
  • Scheduled and Automated Backups
  • End-to-End Encryption and Compression
  • Retain VM Backup Data as long as needed
  • Centralized monitoring and reporting capabilities
  • Store backup data on local disk, NAS, SAN, Tape, S3, Azure Blob, Google Cloud, Wasabi, etc.
  • Flexible recovery options include Instant Boot VM, file recovery, etc.

Benefits if KVM VM Backup Solutions

  • Data Protection
    • Reduce the chance of data loss and corruption by making safe backups of your important information.
  • Disaster Recovery
    • Facilitate quick recovery from disasters or hardware malfunctions, reducing downtime and guaranteeing continuous business operations.
  • Flexibility
    • With options for selective backups of particular files and folders or complete virtual machine backups, backup strategies can be tailored to specific needs.
  • Resource Optimization
    • Backup plans can be customized to meet specific requirements by offering choices for selective backups of specific files and folders or full virtual machine backups.

How does KVM Backup work?

  • Step 1
    • Agentless KVM Backup: Using native capabilities, BDRSuite offers an agentless backup solution designed specifically for KVM, streamlining the backup procedure without requiring separate VM agents.
  • Step 2
    • Snapshot Creation: The KVM virtual machine (VM) is snapshotted in its entirety, including the operating system, disks, files, and other components, by BDRSuite. This guarantees a reliable point-in-time backup.
  • Step 3
    • Secure Data Transfer: The backup data is securely moved to the specified backup repository, which can be either the cloud (S3, Azure Blob, Google, etc.) or local storage (NAS, SAN, etc.), depending on how it is configured. Data integrity is ensured through the use of encryption in a secure data transfer process.
  • Step 4
    • Incremental Backups: BDRSuite uses incremental backups to maximize backup efficiency after the first full backup. By capturing only the modifications made since the last backup, this shortens the time needed for backups and uses less storage.
  • Step 5
    • Data Retention & Management: Organizations can specify the duration of time they wish to keep KVM VM backup data by using the flexible retention policy management options provided by BDRSuite.
  • Step 6
    • KVM Recovery: In the event of a disaster, VM failure, or data loss, BDRSuite offers KVM VMs dependable and quick recovery. This offers extensive options for data restoration and includes restoring complete virtual machines (VMs), specific files or folders, and even granular application-level recovery.

Key Features of KVM Backup Solution

Seamless Integration with KVM

  • Utilizing the KVM hypervisor’s built-in capabilities for effective backup and restore procedures, BDRSuite interfaces with it with ease.

CBT based Incremental Backups

  • By capturing only the modifications made since the previous backup, BDRSuite incrementally creates backups (Changed Block Tracking).
  • This drastically lowers the amount of storage needed and backup times.

Automated Backups

  • With BDRSuite, you can plan routine backups to guarantee that your virtual machines are constantly safeguarded.
  • Flexible scheduling options are available with BDRSuite, including hourly, daily, weekly, and every 15 minutes.

Agentless VM Backup

  • For KVM virtual machines, agentless image backup is provided by BDRSuite.
  • The KVM hypervisor and BDRSuite communicate directly, doing away with the need for extra agents.

Flexible Storage Options

  • You can store your backed-up data on a local disk, NAS, SAN, S3, Azure Blob, Google Cloud, Wasabi, and other storage options with BDRSuite.

Recovery of KVM VMs

Instant Boot VMs

  • In less than 15 minutes, you can guarantee business continuity by quickly restoring the complete KVM virtual machine from backup on any hypervisor, including VMware, Hyper-V, and KVM.

Download VMs & Disks

  • The backed-up VMs and disks can be downloaded by BDRSuite into a variety of virtual formats, including RAW, VHD, VHDX, VMDK, and Flat-VMDK, which can be utilized for complete VM migration or recovery.

File Recovery

  • BDRSuite offers the ability to use the Disk Mount option to mount the backup disk and quickly recover specific files or folders.

Management of KVM VM Backups

Secure Data Protection

  • In order to ensure data encryption both during transit and storage, BDRSuite provides encryption options for backup data.

Centralized Management

  • With the centralized management console provided by BDRSuite, you can quickly configure backups, keep track of backup progress, and oversee recovery across several KVM hypervisors.

Data Retention

  • In order to comply with regulatory requirements, store backups in storage targets for as long as necessary with flexible retention policies.

Reporting & Notifications

  • In-depth reporting and email alerts are provided by BDRSuite to keep you updated on the progress of your backup and recovery jobs.

Get started with KVM Backup with BDRSuite today!


For more information on BDRSuite 7.0.0, check out the resources below.
Download BDRSuite v7.0.0: You can access the latest version of BDRSuite by visiting Download BSRSuite 7.0.0.
Release Notes: For a detailed breakdown of what’s new in this release, please check out our Release Notes.
Release Blog: To gain insights into the features and benefits of BDRSuite v7.0, take a look at our official Release Blog.


Get more information on these BDRSuite offerings below:

VMware – https://www.bdrsuite.com/vmware-backup
Hyper-V – https://www.bdrsuite.com/hyper-v-backup
Microsoft 365 – https://www.bdrsuite.com/office-365-backup
Endpoint Backup – https://www.bdrsuite.com/endpoint-backup

Visit BDRCloud.com to get started with Cloud Backups with Vembu!


You can find a list of my previous BDRSuite posts HERE.

Ben Liebowitz, VCP, vExpert
NJ VMUG Leader

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