Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method for backing up heterogeneous virtual environments may include (1) identifying a request to back up a virtual machine executing on a host system, (2) creating a storage map of a virtual storage environment of the virtual machine by (a) identifying, from the host system, a virtual disk file that stores data for the virtual machine and (b) identifying, from a guest system operating within the virtual machine, one or more virtual storage devices that store data for the virtual machine, and (3) creating a unified backup of the virtual machine based on the storage map of the virtual storage environment by coordinating a backup operation of the virtual disk file with a backup operation of the virtual storage device. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for encapsulating configuration information in storage objects formatted for backup and restore comprises a processor coupled to a memory, where the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to implement a backup manager configured to generate backup versions of a plurality of storage objects (such as files or directories) of a source data set of a primary host. The backup manager may be configured to create an additional storage object that includes information collected from a designated information source in a first format, store the additional storage object within the source data set in a second format, and generate a backup version of the additional storage object.