Unable To Create Snapshot for running Linux VM

Question

Hi,

I am trying to create a Recovery Snapshot for a Linux VM in Hyper-V using "New-VmBackupCheckpoint" and it gets created without any error.

But when I try it to create Recovery Snapshot if VM is in running state. It throughs the exception.

But it works for Windows VM.

Do Linux Vm needs to be shutdown first?

Thank You,
Mayank Srivastava

Answer 1

Hi @Mayank Srivastava ,

The cmdlet New-VmBackupCheckpoint is not an official Microsoft PowerShell cmdlet, and it does not belong to the Hyper-V PowerShell module.

To create a checkpoint/snapshot for a Hyper-V virtual machine, you should use the Checkpoint-VM PowerShell cmdlet.

Example:
Checkpoint-VM -Name <VMName>

For more information, please read here:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/virtualization/hyper-v-on-windows/user-guide/checkpoints#creating-checkpoints

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Best regards,
Leon

Answer 2

HI Mayank,

what exception are you getting exactly? Can you please post it here, so that we can give you a more adequate answer?
Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Stoyan

Answer 3

Hi @Mayank Srivastava ,

I would surely test with the

Checkpoint-VM  

cmdlet as Leon suggested. Have you come across this one:

WS2016 TP5 checkpoint error for UBUNTU (LINUX) GUEST VM
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/ebee13ac-8967-4c55-a5a9-859db1c5fb8c/ws2016-tp5-checkpoint-error-for-ubuntu-linux-guest-vm?forum=WinServerPreview

It might be the same situation you are facing right now. Can you please verify this and post a short feedback?

Thanks and Regards,
Stoyan

Answer 4

Hi，

1. Please make sure the VM is completely up-to-date.
2. Make sure the linux VM integration tools are installed with:
   apt-get install --install-recommends linux-virtual-lts-xenial
3. Made sure the Virtual Host is up-to-date and try to reboot the Virtual Host
4. And you can try to use the following PowerShell code to create a new Hyper-V checkpoint:
   Checkpoint-VM –Name ‘VM Name’ –SnapshotName ‘Testing Snapshot’

Thanks for your time!
Best Regards,
Mico Mi

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Answer 5

I see 3 major issues with the current (and the official) Hyper-V powershell cmdlets for checkpoints as compared to what Taylor B. had originally implemented (New-VmBackupCheckpoint .. et al).

Please help advise on the below aspects:

Taylor B's implementation allows you to specify a consistency level to the checkpoint. This is not available with the Checkpoint-VM et al.. what up with that ?

Taylor B's implementation has a method to convert a backup checkpoint to a reference point. I don't see any such thing in the official Hyper-V cmdlets.

Taylor B's checkpoint export implementation allows you to differentially or incrementally export the checkpoint based on a earlier reference point. How can I do something similar with the official cmdlets ?

Neelabh