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Using Samba shares with vcbRestore on ESX Server Service Console using domain logins

Solution

Note: The following procedure to access Samba shares on a remote Windows host that requires domain login credentials is not specific to ESX Server 2.5.x or ESX Server 3.x. However, the procedure to use vcbRestore to restore virtual machines is specific to ESX Server 3.x.

Steps A and B need to be completed to access Samba shares from the ESX Server service console when the shares are located on a remote Windows host that requires domain logins. Step C can be completed if vcbRestore is used in ESX 3.x to restore virtual machines.

A. On the remote Windows host:
  1. Identify the folder to be shared and configure access permission.

  2. Disable digital signaturing on SMB packets.

    1. Run the command gpedit.msc (to invoke the policy editor).

    2. Go to Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Security Options.

    3. Select the property:value pair labeled Microsoft network server: Digitally sign communications (always). Ensure that it is disabled.

    4. Select the property:value pair labeled Microsoft network server: Digitally sign communications (if client agrees). Ensure that it is disabled.
B. On the ESX Server service console:
  1. Enable the SMB Client by typing the following command:

    esxcfg-firewall -e smbClient

    Note: Other than enabling the SMB Client in the ESX Server firewall, there are no other configuration or installation changes required.

  2. Test if the ESX Server host sees the windows box (where the shared folder is).

    smbclient -L <my-remote-host-ip-or-dns> -U <my-username>

  3. Create a mount point.

    mkdir /mnt/my-backups

  4. Mount the backup directory using the Samba client.

    mount -t smbfs -o username=my-domain-username,workgroup=my-domain-name //my-remote-host-ip-or-dns/my-share-name /mnt/my-backups

    or

    smbmount -o username=my-domain-username,workgroup=my-domain-name //my-remote-host-ip-or-dns/my-share-name /mnt/my-backups

    You can also automate the mount process when the ESX Server system reboots. You do this by editing the /etc/fstab file. Add a line that looks like this:

    #
    # File: /etc/fstab
    #
    proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
    /dev/hdb1 / ext3 defaults,errors=remount-ro 0 1
    /dev/hdb2 none swap sw 0 0
    /dev/hdc /media/cdrom0 iso9660 ro,user,noauto 0 0
    //my-remote-host-ip-or-dns/my-share-name /mnt/my-backups smbfs username=my-domain-username,password=XXXX,workgroup=my-domain-name 0 0

    Or if you use login credentials file /etc/cred:

    #
    # File: /etc/fstab
    #
    proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
    /dev/hdb1 / ext3 defaults,errors=remount-ro 0 1
    /dev/hdb2 none swap sw 0 0
    /dev/hdc /media/cdrom0 iso9660 ro,user,noauto 0 0
    //my-remote-host-ip-or-dns/my-share-name /mnt/my-backups smbfs credentials=/etc/cred 0 0

    The credential file looks similar to:

    #
    # File: /etc/cred
    #
    username=my-domain-username
    password=XXXX
    workgroup=my-domain-name

  5. Verify that your backup files are all mounted:

    ls -l /mnt/my-backups

C. Restoring the Virtual Machine using vcbRestore (ESX 3.x only):

When the backup files are visible on the new mounted directory, and if you are using ESX Server 3.x, you can begin your VCB restore command by specifying the mount directory as a parameter to the vsbRestore -s switch.
  1. Make a copy of the catalog file.

    cp /mnt/my-backups/my-catalog-file /tmp/my-catalog-file-copy

  2. Modify the catalog file copy (/tmp/my-catalog-file-copy ) as you see fit, then use it when you restore your virtual machine.

    vcbRestore -s /mnt/my-backups -a /tmp/my-catalog-file-copy

  3. To break the mount point (that is, unmount):

    umount /mnt/my-backups

    Note: You need to be outside of the mount directory before you can un-mount it.
For more information on mounting Samba, CIFS, or Windows shares, see Connecting to a CIFS Share on a Windows Server from the Service Console (242).

Keywords

Samba, ESX Service Console OS, backup, vcbRestore, kbpromoted

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  • KB Article: 1000268
  • Updated: Oct 23, 2009
  • Products:
    VMware Consolidated Backup
    VMware ESX
  • Product Versions:
    VMware ESX 2.1.x
    VMware ESX 2.5.x
    VMware ESX 3.0.x