Create a VMware policy.
Verify the first full point.

1. Prepare vSphere and the data path

Validate the intended vCenter/ESXi connection and VM inventory. Check proxy access to source datastores and the repository. Assess snapshot create/remove permissions together with proxy and VDDK versions. Choose a small test VM and record a file to verify after recovery.

2. Select the VMware source in Attribute

Open Home → Policies → VM Policy → Create Policy. Choose VMware in Policy Type and the correct vCenter connection in Server. Enter a distinctive test Policy Name and use a validated repository record in Storage. Check for similarly named vCenters or storage records.

3. Select one test VM in Clients

Filter Clients with search and select only the test VM. Check Machines Selected in Summary. Avoid Select All and automatic inclusion of new VMs for the initial test. For a multi-disk VM, verify the full required disk set; a single-disk result is not acceptance of the entire VM.

VMware Clients: selecting one test VM. This policy draft was not saved.

4. Assess HotAdd and retention

Set Backup Retention Time in Advanced Settings. Enable HotAdd Transport only after validating proxy/storage access and transport prerequisites for your deployment; it is off in the example. Use compression, encryption, WORM and other options only within the accepted scope of the delivered version.

5. Schedule the initial Full backup

Configure Set Full Backup Days, Days, Months and Repeat in Schedules. Review the Full start/end window and time zone. Use Start Now only during an approved test window. Recheck source, storage and retention before saving with Create Policy; do not accept an incremental run before a successful initial full point exists.

6. Monitor snapshots, transfer and job results

Review source, job type, progress and final status in tasks/notifications. Ask the vSphere administrator to check for unexpected remaining snapshots or consolidation warnings. On failure, record proxy version, job ID and time; investigate the cause rather than repeatedly start the job.

7. Verify the recovery point and CBT chain

Check that the correct source and full point appear in Backup List and RESTORE. On later incremental runs, monitor the CBT chain and availability of the required full point. Investigate any new-full requirement. Validate data and guest startup using the new, isolated target test in the VMware restore guide.