Backing up VMWare

What are you guys using to back up VMWare virtual servers?
We're running about 5 virtual servers on VMWare Server (Win 2003 32bit SP2) and whenever backupexec "hits" the vmware host, it shuts down all the virtual machines before copying the files. I'm wondering what the best way to back them up is. I would prefer to backup the whole VMDK file from the host.
Ideally, backing up the host rather than the individual VMs would save us 5 licenses and run a lot faster.
Any thoughts?
We're running about 5 virtual servers on VMWare Server (Win 2003 32bit SP2) and whenever backupexec "hits" the vmware host, it shuts down all the virtual machines before copying the files. I'm wondering what the best way to back them up is. I would prefer to backup the whole VMDK file from the host.
Ideally, backing up the host rather than the individual VMs would save us 5 licenses and run a lot faster.
Any thoughts?
Comments
I would definitely back up the VMs themselves as its a much more fail-proof solution than trying to backup the OS's inside the VMs. So don't think about that solution
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What kinds of VMs are we talking about here anyway?
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It might lead him in the right direction though. Everyone in this thread is talking about backup solutions for VMWare so my comment isn't out of place.
To the OP, you're running VMWare Server not VI3 so neither VCB or ESX Ranger (or the others) apply.
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