Restoring Guest Files and Folders for VMware

You can restore files and folders from a VMware VM backup to the source VM, to another VM, or to a guest agent. The Commvault software indexes guest files and folders of Windows and Linux VMs on VMware streaming and IntelliSnap backup copies.

When you restore files from a Linux VM, the Linux access node specified for the hypervisor is used to recover files.

Prerequisites

If a passkey is configured for restores, you must have the passkey.

Procedure

1. From the Command Center navigation pane, go to Protect > Virtual machines.

2. Click the VM groups tab.

3. On the VM groups tab, in the row for the VM group, click the action button , and then click Restore.

4. Select Guest files to restore files or folders to the source virtual machine, to another virtual machine, or to a guest agent.

5. To select a different MediaAgent or source copy for the restore, or to switch to live browse mode, do the following:

   1. If you intend to switch to live browse mode, in the left column, you must click a folder in order for the Browse from media toggle key to be displayed in the Change source dialog box.

   2. In the upper-right area of the page, click Change source.

   3. To switch to live browse mode (browsing from media), move the Browse from media toggle key to the right.

   4. To select a specific source and/or MediaAgent for the restore, do the following:

      • Restore from copy: Select one of the following:

        • Automatic (default): The software searches for the requested data in the primary copy. If the data is not found in the primary copy, the software selects a secondary or auxiliary copy.

        • Primary: The software searches for the requested data in the primary copy.

        • Snap copy: The software searches for the requested data in the snap copy.

      • MediaAgent: Select the MediaAgent that performed the backup.

      For more information, see MediaAgent and Copy Precedence Considerations for Virtualization Restores.

   5. Click OK.

6. Select the objects to restore, and then click Restore.

7. Specify the destination for recovered files.

   By default, files are restored to the source VM, using the same access node as the backup.

   • To restore in place:

     1. Select the Select client tab (the default option).

     2. Verify that the source VM is selected in the Destination client box (the default option).

     3. Optional: To use a different access node, change the value in the Access node box.

     4. From the Credential list, select the built-in or CyberArk vault credential. For information about creating credential, see Adding a Credential to a Built-in Credential Vault or Adding a Credential to a CyberArk Credential Vault.

   • To restore to a different VM:

     1. Select the Other VM tab.

        By default, the same access node that was used for the backup performs the restore.

     2. Optional: To use a different VSA access node, change the value in the Access node box.

     3. If the destination VM resides on another hypervisor, select the host name of the hypervisor from the Destination hypervisor list, and then browse to select the destination VM.

     4. From the Credential list, select the built-in or CyberArk vault credential. For information about creating credential, see Adding a Credential to a Built-in Credential Vault or Adding a Credential to a CyberArk Credential Vault.

   • To restore to a guest agent:

     1. Select the Select client tab (the default option).

     2. Select the guest agent from the Destination list.

        By default, the Local System account on the destination client is used to perform the restore operation; but you can use the Impersonate user option to provide credentials for another user account.

     3. From the Credential list, select the built-in or CyberArk vault credential. For information about creating credential, see Adding a Credential to a Built-in Credential Vault or Adding a Credential to a CyberArk Credential Vault. This option appears only if the Impersonate user toggle is enabled.

        The user must have permissions to create files in the specified location on the destination.

8. For the Destination path box, type a full path or click Browse to select a destination folder.

   For VMware, this value is only needed when you are restoring to a guest agent.

9. To delete an existing file and replace it with the restored file, select Unconditionally overwrite if it already exists.

10. To perform faster restores of guest files and folders using the restore-only file system agent, select the Restore via CV tools check box.

    Note

    • The Restore via CV tools check box appears only if the destination VM does not have the file system agent installed. If you select this option, the Commvault software triggers a job to install the restore-only file system agent. To check the status of this job, see Viewing Jobs.

    • The destination VM where the restore-only file system agent is installed will be assigned the File Accelerator role. To verify the role, you can navigate to the Manage > Servers and view the destination client (VM) details page.

    • Ensure that you configure software cache on the access node. For instructions, see Configuring the Software Cache.

11. Click Submit.

Related Topics

File Indexing for Virtual Machines

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