Which type of backup solution is recommended with vSphere Essentials Plus and above?

Disk-based backup is recommended with vSphere Essentials Plus and above due to its efficiency and performance advantages in virtualized environments. This type of backup uses disk storage systems to save data, which allows for faster backup and recovery processes compared to other methods.

In virtual environments, disk-based solutions facilitate quick access and retrieval of virtual machine data, supporting the need for rapid recovery times that businesses often require. Disk-based backups also integrate well with various VMware features, such as changed block tracking, which helps minimize the amount of data transferred during backup operations, further enhancing performance.

In contrast to alternatives like tape or physical backups, disk-based solutions are generally more scalable and easier to manage in a virtualized context. They align more closely with cloud and hybrid environments that many organizations utilize today. Additionally, they typically offer improved reliability and reduced risks of data degradation over time, which can be an issue with tape-based backups. Cloud backups could be considered beneficial, but they often introduce latency and rely on internet bandwidth, making them less preferable for immediate data recovery needs in vSphere environments.