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    Cloud Backup:Restore a VMware VM to an ECS instance

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    Cloud Backup:Restore a VMware VM to an ECS instance

    Last Updated:Jan 07, 2026

    In the event of a VMware virtual machine (VM) failure, use a VM backup to create an Alibaba Cloud ECS image. This image lets you rapidly launch a new ECS instance, restoring the on-premises workload to the cloud and ensuring business continuity.

    Background information

    While local restores are suitable for minor service disruptions, major infrastructure events like an ESXi host or data center failure require a full disaster recovery to the cloud. The Cloud Backup console lets you restore an entire VMware VM as an Alibaba Cloud ECS instance, ensuring critical business continuity.

    Behind the scenes, this process is automated. Cloud Backup launches a intermediate ECS instance to convert the VM backup data into an ECS snapshot. This snapshot is then used to generate a final ECS image. Once complete, the intermediate instance is automatically terminated, leaving you with a custom image ready to deploy new ECS instances.

    Prerequisites

    The VMware VM has been backed up. For more information, see Back up a VMware VM.

    Usage notes

    • ECS image creation is limited to a single VMware VM at a time.

    • The VMware VM must meet the operating system and VMware platform limits for Alibaba Cloud ECS instances.

    • The intermediate ECS instance is billed based on the billing rules of ECS. The generated ECS image incurs snapshot storage fees. For more information, see ECS billing.

    Procedure

    Step 1: Generate an ECS image

    1. In the Cloud Backup console, navigate to the Backup > VMware Backup & Disaster Recovery page. In the top navigation bar, select the region where your resources are located.

    2. On the Backup Jobs tab, find the backup record of the VM that you want to restore, and click Create ECS Image in the Actions column.

    3. In the Create ECS Image dialog box, configure the VM to be restored and the intermediate instance.

      1. Select the VM to restore, and then click Next.

      2. In the Configure Intermediate Instance step, configure the intermediate instance as described in the following table.

        Parameter

        Description

        Instance Name

        The name of the intermediate ECS instance.

        VPC

        Select the VPC where the ECS instance resides from the VPC drop-down list.

        vSwitch

        Select the vSwitch of the VPC from the vSwitch drop-down list.

        Instance Family

        The instance family of the intermediate ECS instance.

        Instance Type

        The instance type of the intermediate ECS instance. For more information, see Overview of instance families.

        Disk Type

        The storage class of the intermediate ECS instance. Options include Ultra Disk, ESSD AutoPL disk, enterprise SSD (ESSD), and Standard SSD.

        Note

        Standard SSDs and ultra disks are previous-generation disk products. They are gradually being phased out in some regions and zones.

        Security Group

        Select the security group to use for the restore from the Security Group list.

    4. Click Create.

      View the progress of the restore job on the Restore Jobs tab. After the job status changes to Completed, click the ECS image link to view information about the generated ECS image.

    Step 2: Create an ECS instance from the ECS image

    1. On the Restore Jobs tab, click the name of the ECS image in the Restore Destination column of the target restore job.

      You are redirected to the Images page of the ECS console, where the target image is filtered.

      Note

      Alternatively, navigate to the Images page of the ECS console. On the Custom Images tab, find the image. The image name is a combination of "Intermediate Instance" and the intermediate instance ID.

    2. On the Custom Images tab, click Create Instance in the Actions column for the target image.

    3. On the Custom Launch tab, the region and image information is automatically populated. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the other configuration items and then click Create Order.

      The resulting ECS instance is a fully functional replica of the original VMware VM, ready to immediately take over and resume your services.

    Step 3: (Optional) Delete the ECS image

    Important

    Before deleting an ECS image, always confirm that a valid backup of the target instance exists, as this action is permanent and irreversible.

    1. On the Restore Jobs tab, click the name of the ECS image in the Restore Destination column of the target restore job.

      You are redirected to the Images page of the ECS console.

    2. On the Custom Images tab, click Delete Image in the Actions column for the target image.

    3. In the Delete Image dialog box, set Delete Snapshots to Yes, and click Confirm.