How to Access VMFS Datastore from Linux (Ubuntu), ESXi host or Windows

Welcome to the ultimate guide for accessing VMFS (Virtual Machine File System) Datastore, whether you're using Linux, an ESXi host, or Windows! Developed by VMware, VMFS is a specialized file system fine-tuned for virtual machine storage. This article is designed to guide system administrators, virtualization aficionados, or anyone keen to learn, through the simple steps to access and engage with VMFS Datastore across various operating systems.

We recognize the importance of proficient data management for smooth virtualization. That's why this guide is structured to cover key platforms comprehensively. By the time you finish this article, you'll be well-versed in the tools, techniques, and best practices needed to access VMFS Datastore, whether you're on Linux, an ESXi host, or Windows. So let's get started and unlock the extensive capabilities of VMFS Datastore, thereby improving your virtualization journey and making your storage management more efficient!

Mounting VMFS Partition on a New VMware ESXi host

Mounting a VMFS (Virtual Machine File System) partition on a new VMware ESXi host is a straightforward process. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you accomplish this:

1. 1. Prepare the New ESXi Host: Ensure that you have installed VMware ESXi on the new host and it is up and running with all the necessary configurations.

2. 2. Identify the VMFS Partition: Connect the storage device containing the VMFS partition to the new ESXi host. The VMFS partition should be detected automatically by ESXi.

3. 3. Scan for Storage Devices: In the ESXi host's web interface (vSphere Client), go to the "Storage" section and click on "Storage Adapters." Select the storage adapter that is connected to the storage device containing the VMFS partition.

4. 4. Rescan Storage Adapters: Once the storage adapter is selected, click on the "Rescan" button. This action triggers a scan of the storage devices connected to the host.

5. 5. Discover VMFS Datastores: After the rescan is complete, go to the "Storage" section and click on "Datastores." ESXi should detect the VMFS partition and display it as a datastore.

6. 6. Mount the VMFS Datastore: Select the detected VMFS datastore from the list and click on the "Mount" button. ESXi will mount the VMFS datastore, making it accessible for virtual machine storage.

7. 7. Review and Manage: Once the VMFS datastore is mounted, you can review its details, capacity, and usage from the vSphere Client. Additionally, you can use this datastore to create, upload, and manage virtual machines.

8. 8. Unmounting (Optional): If you need to unmount the VMFS datastore later, perhaps for maintenance or reconfiguration, you can do so from the vSphere Client by selecting the datastore and clicking on the "Unmount" button.

Remember that VMFS is a proprietary file system developed by VMware, and it is designed to work seamlessly with ESXi hosts. The process described above assumes that the storage device and VMFS partition are compatible with the ESXi version and have been properly set up.

Always exercise caution when making changes to storage configurations, and ensure you have a backup of critical data before performing any operations on the VMFS datastore.

How to Access VMFS Volumes without a VMware Host

Accessing VMFS (Virtual Machine File System) volumes without a VMware host can be challenging since VMFS is a proprietary file system developed by VMware. However, there are some third-party tools available that offer limited read-only access to VMFS volumes from non-VMware environments. One such tool is "vmfs-tools" for Linux. Keep in mind that using these tools carries certain risks, and it's essential to exercise caution and create backups before attempting to access VMFS volumes. Here's a high-level overview of the process using "vmfs-tools":

1. 1. Use a Linux Environment:

   • To access VMFS volumes, you'll need a Linux system where you can install and use "vmfs-tools." This can be a physical Linux machine or a Linux virtual machine (using tools like VirtualBox or VMware Workstation).

2. 2. Install "vmfs-tools":

   • Update the package list and install "vmfs-tools" on your Linux system using the package manager. For example, on Ubuntu:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install vmfs-tools

1. 3. Connect the Storage Device:

   • Connect the storage device containing the VMFS volume to your Linux system. This can be a USB drive, an external hard disk, or a virtual disk image (VMDK) from a VMware virtual machine.

2. 4. Identify the VMFS Volume:

   • Use Linux tools like "lsblk" or "fdisk" to identify the storage device with the VMFS volume. The device might have a partition with the VMFS file system.

3. 5. Mount the VMFS Volume:

   • Create a mount point on your Linux system where you will access the VMFS volume. For example:

sudo mkdir /mnt/vmfs

• Use "vmfs-fuse" to mount the VMFS volume to the mount point:

sudo vmfs-fuse /dev/sdX# /mnt/vmfs

1. 6. Replace "/dev/sdX#" with the correct identifier of the VMFS volume on your system.

2. 7. Access VMFS Data:

   • Once the VMFS volume is mounted, you can navigate to the mount point (/mnt/vmfs in our example) to access the virtual machine files stored on the VMFS volume. However, please note that the access is read-only.

3. 8. Unmount the VMFS Volume:

   • When you're done accessing the VMFS volume, make sure to unmount it before disconnecting the storage device:

sudo umount /mnt/vmfs

Again, it's crucial to stress that using third-party tools to access VMFS volumes from non-VMware environments has limitations and risks. It's recommended to perform any critical operations on VMFS volumes using a VMware host for proper compatibility and data integrity. Additionally, creating backups of the VMFS volume before attempting any access is highly advisable to avoid data loss.

Conclusion

In conclusion, accessing VMFS (Virtual Machine File System) Datastore from different operating systems, such as Linux (Ubuntu), ESXi host, or Windows, is possible with the help of specific tools and methods tailored to each platform's requirements.

For Linux (Ubuntu), we learned that read-only access to VMFS Datastore can be achieved using the "vmfs-tools" package. By installing this package and identifying the VMFS partition, users can mount the Datastore and explore its contents, enabling seamless interaction with virtual machine files.

On the VMware ESXi host, accessing VMFS Datastore is a native and straightforward process. By connecting the storage device with the VMFS partition to the ESXi host and scanning for storage devices, administrators can discover and mount the VMFS Datastore with ease. The Datastore can then be managed and used for virtual machine storage through the vSphere Client interface.

When it comes to Windows, accessing VMFS Datastore requires the use of third-party software, such as "vmfs6-tools" or DiskInternals VMFS Recovery. These tools provide limited read-only access to VMFS Datastore, allowing users to explore its contents from a Windows environment. However, it's crucial to exercise caution and have proper backups in place, as modifying VMFS Datastore from non-VMware systems can lead to data corruption.

In all cases, we must emphasize the importance of understanding the risks associated with accessing VMFS Datastore from non-native environments. VMFS is a proprietary file system developed by VMware, and full read-write access is only officially supported on VMware ESXi hosts. Utilizing third-party tools might offer limited access but can also carry potential risks and data integrity concerns.

As always, when working with critical data and storage systems, it is advisable to adhere to best practices, create backups, and ensure compatibility with the underlying file system and platform. By following the appropriate procedures and using the right tools for each environment, users can access VMFS Datastore and optimize their virtualization experience.