Backup and Recovery for OpenShift Virtualization
OpenShift Virtualization (KubeVirt) runs virtual machines alongside containers on OpenShift — a common landing spot for teams moving VMs off legacy platforms. Storware protects those VMs natively through Red Hat's OADP operator and a purpose-built OpenShift Virtualization plugin: full and incremental backups, with granular, cross-cluster recovery.
Key Highlights
Native VM protection on OpenShift
VM metadata is captured through Red Hat's OADP operator; volume data through a side pod running Storware's purpose-built OpenShift Virtualization plugin.
Full and incremental
Incremental backups don't require previous snapshots to remain in the cluster, so OpenShift stays clean between cycles.
Certified Red Hat OpenShift Operator
Install from OperatorHub and protect KubeVirt VMs alongside container workloads under a single platform and license.
Recover and relocate
Restore VMs to the same or a different OpenShift cluster, choosing the target project and storage class — useful for DR and for test/dev copies.
Powerful Data Protection Features for OpenShift Virtualization
OADP + OpenShift Virtualization plugin
Storware exports VM metadata through Red Hat's OADP operator and moves volume data with a side pod running its custom OpenShift Virtualization plugin image. OADP 1.3 or later is required.
Full and incremental backups
Incrementals don't require previous snapshots to remain in OpenShift, keeping the cluster free of accumulated snapshot state.
Point-in-time recovery
Restore a VM to a chosen recovery point, with policy-driven schedules and retention rather than manual, one-off jobs.
Cross-cluster restore and mobility
Recover VMs to the same or a different OpenShift cluster, and stand up isolated test/dev copies from a single backup target.
Storage-class and project control on restore
Choose the target namespace/project and the storage class when restoring a VM.
VMs and containers, one platform
Protect KubeVirt VMs alongside container workloads under a single license and console.
Multi-cluster, multi-node
Run Storware Nodes inside the operator or outside the cluster to protect many clusters; scale out by adding nodes, scale up by adding resources.
Open REST API and CLI
Kubernetes-native and REST APIs plus a CLI for snapshot, backup, and restore — ready for pipelines and orchestration.
Immutable, air-gapped security
IsoLayer air-gap, immutable backup destinations, retention lock, RBAC and access management, Keycloak MFA, and tape.
Technology partners
See OpenShift Virtualization protection with Storware in action
Install OADP, load the OpenShift Virtualization plugin image, and add your cluster — then watch a KubeVirt VM get backed up (metadata through OADP, volume data through the side pod) and restored into another cluster, ready to boot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OpenShift Virtualization backup?
It’s the backup and recovery of virtual machines running on OpenShift Virtualization (KubeVirt), which lets you operate VMs alongside containers on OpenShift. Storware protects these VMs natively.
How does Storware back up OpenShift Virtualization VMs?
Storware exports each VM’s metadata through Red Hat’s OADP operator and moves the volume data with a side pod running Storware’s custom OpenShift Virtualization plugin image. OADP 1.3 or later is required.
Does Storware support incremental VM backups on OpenShift?
Yes. Storware supports full and incremental backups, and incrementals don’t require previous snapshots to remain in the cluster.
Do I need to install OADP first?
Yes. Install the OADP operator, version 1.3 or later, from OperatorHub before adding OpenShift as a Hypervisor Manager in Storware.
Can I restore VMs to a different OpenShift cluster?
Yes. Storware can restore VMs to the same or a different cluster, letting you choose the target project and storage class — useful for disaster recovery and for test/dev mobility.
Can Storware migrate VMware VMs into OpenShift Virtualization?
Storware protects VMs once they run on OpenShift Virtualization. Moving VMs onto OpenShift Virtualization is handled by Red Hat’s migration tooling; Storware’s own V2V migration targets OpenStack and, since 7.5, Citrix Hypervisor and XCP-ng.
Does Storware also protect OpenShift containers?
Yes. Container and stateful application workloads are covered on the Red Hat OpenShift page.
How does Storware protect OpenShift Virtualization backups against ransomware?
Through immutable backup destinations, IsoLayer air-gap, retention lock, and tape, which keep recovery points from being altered or deleted.