The vCenter Server database should be backed up using whatever method is available within your environment. For Windows-based vCenter Servers, this includes options such as the following:

• Native backups based on the capabilities of the database platform, such as Microsoft SQL Server backup
• Third-party database backup solutions

For a vCenter Server appliance (VCSA), the internal vCenter Postgres database should be backed up using the procedure outlined in VMware KB Article 2110031 (https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/2091961?docid=2110031).

There are no specific requirements with regard to database backup methodologies, so long as you can recover the database to a previous state; either to the same database server or an alternative. Consult with your database server or backup software documentation if additional information about performing database backups is required.

Consult the VMware vSphere Installation and Setup Guide (https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/6.7/vsphere-vcenter-server-67-installation-guide.pdf) for additional information about how to back up the components of a vSphere installation.