Datastore Recovery

[Nethompson]

Is it possible to recover deleted datastores?

I made the mistake of attempting to copy datastores to different locations and deleted the original(s). The copies showed successful but they weren't...I've been able to successfully use file recovery with Linux, however, it would be great if I could mount the datastores and copy the vmdk files.

Does anyone have any ideas I can try?

[daphnissov]

You may ask for the blessing of continuum​ in hopes of solving your problem.

[continuum]

Read Create a VMFS-Header-dump using an ESXi-Host in production | VM-Sickbay

create such a dump and call me next week.

Ulli

[Nethompson]

I can get the header dump, however, I would prefer to not upload the data anywhere. Is there another way we can go about doing this without sending the data somewhere?

[continuum]

Create the dump. Then run

strings dump-file | grep "flat.vmdk" >> flat-vmdks.txt

and inspect flat-vmdks.txt.

All vmdks that are listed with just the name  ( no " = or any other unexpected characters) may eventually be recoverable.

Doing any recoverywork without seeing the actual data is a real pain and no fun at all - but if you provide convincing arguments I do housecalls.

Ulli

[Nethompson]

I've got the dumps (I went ahead and created one for each disk/datastore). The names show up without any unexpected characters.

[continuum]

According to that quick test this 2 flat.vmdks may be recoverable from d2 datastore.

Cameras-flat.vmdk

File Server-flat.vmdk

d1 datastore does not look promising.

Again - this is just a very crude quick test - and maybe inacurate.

Ulli

[Nethompson]

I'll take what I can get!

What options do I have from here?

[continuum]

> What options do I have from here?

Nothing has changed - without access to the data I cant help.

You may ask Ontrack - but they also need to see the data ....

[Nethompson]

Okay. I appreciate your time and assistance with this.