Forum Discussion

BaddaBoom's avatar
BaddaBoom
Level 3
8 years ago

Restore VMDK as a file

Hello

  Is there a way to restore VMDK backups as flat files to an alternate location? Without restoring the VM itself?

  This question came up because we had an issue with our vCenter a few weeks back and realized we couldn't restore ANY VM's without vCenter being active so we are looking for a way to recover vCenter without vCenter.

  One way we think we can skin this cat is to use the vmdk files and push those to a host. However I don't know HOW to get the VMDK's out from netbackup as files.

Suggestions?

Thanks

8
vCenter
VMDK
VMware
    • BaddaBoom's avatar
      BaddaBoom
      Level 3
      8 years ago

      Thanks for the info.

      We've been experimenting trying to use our hosts as "Restore ESX Hosts" but I'm having issues with that as well. I'm probably going to have to put in a support ticket to try and get that resolved

    • BaddaBoom's avatar
      BaddaBoom
      Level 3
      8 years ago

      "First you need to remove the ESX server from vCenter management."

      Could you possibly elaborate a bit more on this? WHY do you have to remove it from vCenter management?

      • eduncan's avatar
        eduncan
        Level 5
        8 years ago

        The VMware API won't allow you to perform certain task directly to the ESX host that is managed by a vCenter.  So for example the create VM calls are going to fail because your ESX host is managed by a vCenter (even though the vCenter is down).