Import / Restore VM from ESX 3.5 backed up using vcbMounter

[gesturgis]

Hi there,

I'm trying to put together a cross-site DR plan using the various tools and scripts that are out there. I think what I want to do is use vcbMounter on our ESX 3.5 servers that will backup our VMs to an NFS share at the remote site (or backup locally to be transferred later...).

At the remote site, I've got a ESXi 3.5 server.

What do I use to import or restore that VM into that ESXi server? I've tried browsing the data store, finding the vmx, and adding to inventory. But when I power on the VM, I get an error "A file was not found". I'm guessing that I need to use vmkfstools or something?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Grant

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[Dave_Mishchenko]

How are you trying to import the backup to the ESXi host. Have you tried VMware Converter to run the import to ESXi?

[gesturgis]

I would prefer to stick to command line tools so that it could be automated.

[bbambrick · Accepted solution]

Tried using the converter command line?

" p2vTool can execute the query, verify, import, and postprocess options

without needing a license if it detects that the source is a VCB image"

[gesturgis]

I didn't even know that existed! Thanks much, that'll do it.

[lamw]

You can utilize the vCLI/RCLI but if you're using the free version of ESXi 3.5u4, it will not work due to the read-only access: http://vmetc.com/2009/03/31/esxi-u4-ends-free-version-read-and-write-access-from-the-rcli/

=========================================================================

William Lam

VMware vExpert 2009

VMware ESX/ESXi scripts and resources at:

If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".

[gesturgis]

if I were to use the vCLI/rCLI, what commands would I use?

[lamw]

You'll want to make sure that the ESXi host can see the NFS datastore and use a combination of vifs.pl (to copy .vmx) and vmkfstools.pl (copy the .vmdk)

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William Lam

VMware vExpert 2009

VMware ESX/ESXi scripts and resources at:

If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".