Now that our HYCU controller is configured and up to date, we now need to protect our virtual machines…

Cleaning the default policies

We will start by deleting the backup policies created by default. To do this, in the side menu go to “Policies” and delete all policies except “Exclude”:

Once the cleaning is done, we can get down to business.

Creating the backup time slot

In order for our backups to run outside working hours, it is imperative to set up the time slots during which HYCU will back up your virtual machines. Still in the “Policies” menu, click on “Time Windows”:

Normally, nothing is created, click on “New”:

Then, you will have the choice between 2 options:

• Backup Window to define the time range during which the backup will be executed
• Copy Window to define the time range during which the backup copies can be made

We will choose the “Backup Window”:

In my case, I kept it simple by naming it “HNO” for Non-Working Hours, I indicated the Timezone corresponding to my geographic location and then I selected the time slots that interested me, namely from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. from Monday to Sunday:

Creating the backup policy

To create a backup policy, in the “Policies” menu, click on “New”:

• Name your backup policy
• Leave “Backup” checked
• Enter the frequency of backups in hours/days/weeks/months (which will correspond to the targeted RPO)
• Enter the restoration period (which will correspond to the targeted RTO)
• Enter the retention period of your backups
• Select the backup target (in my case, the Synology)
• Check “Use backup window” and select the backup time slot previously created

Click on “Save”.

Your backup policy is now created, the next step is to protect the VMs in your cluster.