> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.zmanda.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.zmanda.com/zmanda-classic/installation-and-configuration/step-1-install-zmanda-server/zmanda-backup-appliance-installation.md).
# Zmanda Backup Appliance Installation
Zmanda Backup Appliance is a system image file with a preloaded Zmanda configuration. You can download the system image file from [Network Zmanda](https://network.zmanda.com/) and choose from 10+ base operating systems. In this installation process, the ZMC control plane and the backup server are configured to talk to each other without additional configuration.
Also, when scaling Zmanda across the enterprise, you can [add multiple backup servers](/zmanda-classic/installation-and-configuration/step-1-install-zmanda-server/add-backup-servers-in-the-zmc.md) and control all the additional backup servers from the ZMC control plane installed via this setup.
### Downloading the VM Image
To start the installation process, it is necessary to download the OVA files onto a system that is running VMware ESX 6.x or a later version and has a minimum disk space of 100GB. Here are the steps:
1. Log in to [Network Zmanda](https://network.zmanda.com/) from any browser of your choice, and click on the download icon from the side navigation.
2. Navigate to the Backup Server Appliance under the Enterprise Server section and select your preferred Linux OS from the dropdown.
3. The corresponding OVA file will appear on the right of the dropdown once you select an OS. Click on the OVA file to download it.
{% hint style="info" %}
Network Zmanda downloads the installer from the nearest CDN server. To get the CDN link of the installer, you can copy the download URL from the browser.
{% endhint %}
Up next, you will create the virtual machine that will serve as your backup server.
### Installing the Backup Server
1. Login to your VMware ESXi data center, through any browser of your choice.
2. Right-click on the virtual machines header on the side navigation bar to open the context menu.
3\. Select **Create/Register VM** on the context menu.
4\. Select **Deploy a virtual machine from an OVF or OVA file** under the Select creation type. Then, click **Next**.
5\. Enter a name for the VM in the field provided.
6\. You can click on the area titled “Click to select files or drag/drop”.
7\. Navigate to where the OVA file is downloaded and select it. Then, click on **Open** to upload it to ESXi. Then, click **Next**.
8\. Select the storage as needed
9\. Specify the deployment options as needed. Say for example Disk provisioning as Thin/Thick, Networking mapping, and Power on automatically. Then, click **Next.**
> If you receive a warning indicating, 'A required disk image was missing', please ignore it.
10\. Click the Finish button after reviewing the settings selection made.
11\. You can observe the progress of the VM being created under the Recent Tasks section. Specifically, under the Results column.
{% hint style="info" %}
The VM creation process can take anywhere between thirty minutes to one hour.
{% endhint %}
12. Once the virtual machine is booted up, ssh to the machine as root with the password 'zmanda' and change the root password.
13. Reset the Zmanda Management Console (ZMC) admin user password by running the below command. Please note the password length and complexity requirements. When prompted for a username, type **admin**
sudo /opt/zmanda/amanda/bin/reset-admin-password
//Requirements
length should be at least 8
Password should have at least one numeral
Password should have at least one uppercase letter
Password should have at least one of the symbols $,@,#,%,^,&,*,~
14. To check the status of the ZMC services, execute the commands **setup-zmc** and **setup-aee** as a sudo user. Upon running these commands, you will observe that the Hashicorp vault service is active, but it remains in an unsealed state.
15\. Unseal the vault by running the following command:
```
sudo setup-zmc unseal
```
{% hint style="warning" %}
Please keep a safe copy of the unseal keys, as losing them will make Zmanda unusable. Refer [here](https://kb.zmanda.com/key-vault-unseal-keys) for more information on how to create a secure copy of unseal keys and unseal the key vault.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="info" %}
PATCH INFORMATION: If any patches are listed under the Backup Server or the Backup Server Virtual Appliance (see below), please download the patch, unzip it, and find and execute the patch executable.
For assistance or questions, please email
{% endhint %}
16\. Access Zmanda Management Console (ZMC) from Firefox or Google Chrome to configure backups. You can use the following URL format
```
https://:8008
```
{% hint style="info" %}
* The hostname of the virtual machine is **Backup-Appliance**, and it will obtain an IP address using DHCP. Please make sure Backup-Appliance is added to the name server or resolvable using the **/etc/hosts** file.
* Set the timezone correctly by using the **Set Timezone** option in the Virtual machine console.
* Allow the ports 8008 and 8002 from the firewall for UI and AE server respectively.
{% endhint %}
---
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