Linux file restore using guest interaction API

[masonit]

Hi

I know it is possible to restore files to a Windows vm with vmware tools using guest interaction API. Is the same possible for a Linux vm. Or do you always need lan access to a Linux vm?

\Masonit

[Gostev]

Hello, currently yes, but this is something we're working on to add support for. Thanks!

[masonit]

Ok thanks! Any predictions when support is added?

\Masonit

[Gostev]

There's a chance it will make the next release.

[masonit]

Hi

When was support added? Seems like it works now in 10a..

\Magnus

[Gostev]

Yes, it was added in v10.

[stuartmacgreen]

I just performed a Linux File Level Restore recently and after selecting the files to restore (Overwrite/Keep) back to the source VM (of the backup) I chose credentials and was success.
Credentials were of a Linux user account on the target VM for the files to be restored.

Maybe a silly question then but..
How does FLR Guest Interaction API work with Linux then in comparison to the above.?

[tsightler]

For most cases Linux FLR uses a direct network connection to the target VM, however, in some cases firewalls or other network segmentation might prevent such a connection. In this case Linux FLR will fall back to using the VMware Guest Interaction API which requires no direct network connection between the VBR server/FLR Helper appliance and the target VM. This method is generally used only as a fallback since it is quite a bit slower in most cases.