URG. HELP needed - ESX 3i in Audit Mode and inoperable

[jalourenco]

Hi,

After an unsucessfull update of VMware Tools (ESXe350-200807401-O-UG) using VMware VI Remote Cli, I ended up with ESX 3i Server with "no operating system found".

When trying to repair the ESX 3i installation using the CD, the installation process stated that none previous installation was found or it was damaged, so a new one was installed.

The ESX 3i server started in "audit mode" without mounting existing partitions where VMware machines reside.

I need to get (some of) those machines.

From VI Infrastructure client I can see the storage (VM-Datastorage-srv003-01), disk device (vmhba2:1:0:1), the location (/vmfs/volumes/4891...). Can see and query also from CLI.

I don't know hot to "mount" or to make in "Online" and availabe to use it, mostly to export or to backup in order to get Virtual Machines out of this server.

Could someone, please, help me with this issue?

This is really urgent.

Thank you in advance,

Jose

[Dave_Mishchenko · Accepted solution]

I can see the storage (VM-Datastorage-srv003-01),

If you can access the datastore, right click on the datastore and select browse. Find the VMX files for your VM, right click and select add to invertory. You could then copy them out with VMware Converter. If you're able to accessthe datastore, you could then also copy them out with vifs.pl from the RCLI. You don't need to register the VMs to do that.

[jalourenco]

Thank you Dave,

I'll try your solution right away. I was experimenting ESX 3i, and got caught by ESX 3i functioning on Audit Mode and the lack of information about it.

Thanks again and kindest regards.

Jose

[farrellheyworth]

I also have this issue after trying to repair the ESK3.5 SP2 installation. I can re add the images no problem, but every time it restarts it looses the configuration! I have to re add them after each boot.

Any ideas?

[Dave_Mishchenko]

You might have a corrupt partition. You could try this

1) backup the config of your host with vicfg-cfgbackup.pl command from the RCLI

2) boot the ESXi CD and choose to do a repair (this will avaoid wiping the existing VMFS partition - but a backup of the VMs is recommended anyways)

3) patch your ESXi host

4) restore your backup taken with vicfg-cfgbackup.

[crewsen1]

enable console support option
F2/troubleshoot options/enable local TSM support
ALT+F1 log into console
vi /bootbank/boot.cfg
press i (for insert)
remove the line that has auditMode=TRUE
press 'esc' then :w :q    (to write changes and quit vi)
reboot server to take it out of audit mode
you can now make your system config changes and they will stay.
reboot server to double check

ACK goes to http://www.teachout.com/Blog/tabid/165/EntryId/264/How-to-get-VMware-ESXi-out-of-audit-mode.aspx I found solution here.