VMware

This Question is Possibly Answered

1 "correct" answer available (10 pts) 2 "helpful" answers available (6 pts)
5 Replies Last post: Nov 3, 2009 4:54 AM by Lakshmi Gayat…  

vcbmounter error : X is not a writeable directory posted: Oct 21, 2009 9:41 PM

Click to view vega1x1's profile Lurker 2 posts since
Oct 21, 2009

I am trying to setup a simple disk based backup for our lab vsphere esx servers using a batch file running vcbmounter and I am running into a weird issue. The vcbmounter command to backup the virtual machine works fine if I choose a local drive as the VM backup location(-r option) but if I try to write the backed up VM images to a mapped drive on the proxy server the backup fails with an error that reads "<location X: is not a writeable directory>." I have checked NTFS permissions and gone as far as assigning everyone full control at both the share and NTFS level. Any help resolving this issue is greatly appreciated.


Click to view madhadr's profile Enthusiast 30 posts since
Oct 25, 2007
Are you performing fullvm or file export? This will not work with file and you may have issues with files sizes over CIFS if using fullvm.
Click to view madhadr's profile Enthusiast 30 posts since
Oct 25, 2007

The reason I ask is VCB does not support mounting (-t file) to a network share but a full export (-t fullvm) should work fine. I just tested this and I too had the same not writable error. I also had to give Full Control to the share for Everyone. Not sure if this is the minimum but it is working for me. I have no concerns here as this is in my own lab that will never see a real user. As far as the share goes, I have seen issues when copying large files since the file server (Windows, Samba etc) does not support large files. 4GB is stuck in my head for some reason but this may be based on older file share technologies. I am currently using Samba 3.2.3 and I am testing a VCB operation with -M 1 and -F 1. This should get me a flat non optimized disk of about 10GB. I will post the results for you after it completes.


Click to view madhadr's profile Enthusiast 30 posts since
Oct 25, 2007
No problems here. Also, VCB fills the disk as it writes so there were no issues with large files, meaning a large file was not copied at one time. I did copy the disk back from the share to the proxy and I had no problem either.
Click to view Lakshmi Gayatri's profile Enthusiast 53 posts since
Oct 6, 2008
Junction points cannot be created on mapped drives. Hence you cant backup.

VMware Developer

SDKs, APIs, Videos, Learn and much more in the Developer community.

Learn More

Developer Sample Code

Increase your developer productivity with VMware API sample code.

Learn More

VMworld Sessions & Labs

Online access to the latest VMworld Sessions & Labs and online services.

Learn more

Purchase PSO Credits Online

Purchase credits to redeem training and consulting services online.

Buy Now

Community Hardware Software

View reported configurations or report your own.

Learn More

VMware vSphere

Come witness the next giant leap in virtualization.

Register Today

Communities