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tekka
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

See contents of vmx files without a shell

Is it possible? In particular with environment composed by ESX 3.0.2 and VC 2.0.

The ideal would be to see (even in read only mode) the contents of a VM vmx file.

The basic need would be for a basic text only linux guest where I want to see/verify if the parameter for time sync is set or not (VMware tools already installed)

Is it yet

tools.syncTime

?

I can browse datastore from VI client and go through vmx files but I cannot see their contents ("only" add to inventory or delete from disk)

Thanks in advance for any help.

Bye,

Gianluca

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AWo
Immortal
Immortal

ssh into the ESX host, change to the guest directory and open the .vmx file in vi.

That's what you need?

vExpert 2009/10/11 [:o]===[o:] [: ]o=o[ :] = Save forests! rent firewood! =
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tekka
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

No, possibly without a shell, so without ssh too.

The best would be from within the VI client.

Gianluca

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AWo
Immortal
Immortal

It is not possible to view it directly from the VI client. You only can download the file to you local system where the VI client runs (if you have the appropriate permissions) by using the datastore browser.

Of course many options which are written in the .vmx file result from the settings in the guests hardware settings and options.

As the .vmx file resides on the VMFS volume you can access it via the console or a console connection only (WinSCP, for example). You need something which can read a VMFS volume and that is ESX or the VCB proxy, therefore you are tied to this.

Message was edited by: AWo

vExpert 2009/10/11 [:o]===[o:] [: ]o=o[ :] = Save forests! rent firewood! =
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tekka
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

what do you mean with "datastore browser"?

I use a login that has an Administrator Role but when I select a VM, then its datastore and browse it, I have no option to save locally the vmx file.....

I'm using VI Client 2.0.1 against a 3.0.2 ESX infrastructure.

Gianluca

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AWo
Immortal
Immortal

Mark the ESX host, change to the "Configuration" tab, choose "Storage" and double-click on the VMFS volume you want to browse. A window should open up, where you can browse the VMFS volume. Right-click on the .vmx file and select "Download".

Message was edited by: AWo

vExpert 2009/10/11 [:o]===[o:] [: ]o=o[ :] = Save forests! rent firewood! =
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Texiwill
Leadership
Leadership

Hello,

You can also change your Inventory View to Datastore, right click on the datastore and select Browse. You can then upload/download files to/from the datastore.


Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.

CIO Virtualization Blog: http://www.cio.com/blog/index/topic/168354

As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization

--
Edward L. Haletky
vExpert XIV: 2009-2023,
VMTN Community Moderator
vSphere Upgrade Saga: https://www.astroarch.com/blogs
GitHub Repo: https://github.com/Texiwill
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depping
Leadership
Leadership

Just use WinSCP, browse and edit. It's really easy.

Duncan

My virtualisation blog:

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

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Erik_Zandboer
Expert
Expert

Hi,

The datastore browser does not support up and downloading of files under ESX 3.0x, only ESX 3.5 . Without it you have no option to view the vmx files as far as I know. You could try to use an application like WinSCP or Veeam's FastSCP, but they do require an ssh connection so that propably is no option for you as wel I presume?

Visit my blog at http://www.vmdamentals.com
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AWo
Immortal
Immortal

It is supported with ESX 3.0.x, at least if you have VC 2.5. I don't know if this is possible with VC 2.0....

vExpert 2009/10/11 [:o]===[o:] [: ]o=o[ :] = Save forests! rent firewood! =
Erik_Zandboer
Expert
Expert

Yes indeed if you have VC 2.5 it will work, but certainly NOT on VC 2.0x...

Visit my blog at http://www.vmdamentals.com
tekka
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

In my VI client I can't do it.

In Inventory I select "Datastores" and I see all my datastores on the left. On the righ I have "Summary", Virtual Machines", "Hosts" tabs

Right click a datastore I can only "Rename", "Remove", "Refresh". Double click allows another way to rename the datastore name....

My config is VCenter 2.0.2, ESX 3.0.2, VI client 2.0.1

I also tried to update my VI client to 2.0.2 build 61426 (connecting to esx and selecting the link for VI client setup download) but I have the same options with this release...

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Texiwill
Leadership
Leadership

Hello,

VC2.0.x does not support this functionality, You will need v2.5. There is no way outside of the VI SDK to get this information then. You could easily write a small VI SDK program to get the same information.


Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.

CIO Virtualization Blog: http://www.cio.com/blog/index/topic/168354

As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization

--
Edward L. Haletky
vExpert XIV: 2009-2023,
VMTN Community Moderator
vSphere Upgrade Saga: https://www.astroarch.com/blogs
GitHub Repo: https://github.com/Texiwill
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Erik_Zandboer
Expert
Expert

Hi Tekka,

up and downloading of files minimally requirees VC 2.5. As long as you do not have VC 2.5, the only alternative would be to use ssh, winscp or fastscp... Or enable an ftp server on the ESX host (not sure that is what you would want Smiley Sad )

Visit my blog at http://www.vmdamentals.com
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tekka
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

VC version >= 2.5 ESX version >= 3.0

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Erik_Zandboer
Expert
Expert

...and a logical AND inbetween Smiley Happy

Visit my blog at http://www.vmdamentals.com
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