The vSphere Agent is pre-installed in a VM with 2 virtual CPUs and 2 GB of RAM. The Agent is provided in OVA format, and requires 158 GB of free space.
After obtaining the OVA file from your provider, deploy the file in the vCenter where you want to back up VMs.
The following procedure describes how to deploy the OVA file using one version of the vSphere Client. The procedure can vary depending on the vSphere version.
You can also deploy the OVA file using the VMware OVF Tool or the vSphere Web Client. For more information, see documentation from VMware.
To deploy the OVA file using the vSphere Web Client, you must first install the Client Integration Plug-in on the machine that you are using. When searching for the file to deploy, make sure that the filter includes OVA files; by default, the wizard shows OVF files only.
To deploy the vSphere Agent:
1. Log in to the vCenter using the vSphere Client.
2. From the File menu, select Deploy OVF Template.
The Deploy OVF Template wizard begins with the Source screen.
3. Enter the location of the vSphere Agent OVA file, or browse to it.
4. Click Next.
The OVF Template Details screen shows vSphere Agent information.
5. Review the information. Click Next.
The End User License Agreement screen appears.
6. Review the license agreement, click Accept, and then click Next.
The Name and Location screen appears.
7. In the Name field, enter a name for the vSphere Agent VM.
8. In the Inventory Location tree, specify the location for deploying the Agent. Click Next.
The Host/Cluster screen appears.
9. Select the host or cluster for running the vSphere Agent. Click Next.
The Storage screen appears.
10. Select the storage location for the vSphere Agent files. Click Next.
The Disk Format screen appears.
11. Select one of the following formats for the Agent’s virtual disks:
•Thick Provision Lazy Zeroed
•Thick Provision Eager Zeroed
•Thin Provision
The default format is “Thick Provision Lazy-Zeroed”.
12. Click Next.
The Ready to Complete screen appears.
13. Review the deployment settings. Click Finish.
Deployment begins and its progress is shown.
14. When the deployment finishes, power on the vSphere Agent.
To view the startup process, open the vSphere Agent console.