Free VMFS Reader tool for Windows, Linux, and macOS

VMware's Virtual Machine File System (VMFS) is a specialized high-performance file system tailored for virtual machines residing on ESXi servers. While VMFS excels within the VMware ecosystem, accessing VMFS-formatted volumes from non-VMware operating systems like Windows, Linux, or macOS presents significant challenges. This article introduces a solution to this problem: Free VMFS Reader, a tool designed to simplify access to VMFS data from these platforms. We'll begin by exploring what VMFS is and why directly accessing its volumes outside of a VMware environment can be complex.

Free VMFS Reader Overview

Free VMFS Reader is an open-source tool designed to bridge the gap between VMFS-formatted volumes and non-VMware operating systems. It allows users on Windows, Linux, and macOS to gain read-only access to files stored within VMFS partitions. While offering a convenient way to explore and retrieve data, it's important to understand that Free VMFS Reader has limitations, primarily its read-only nature and potential incompatibility with damaged VMFS volumes. These limitations will be discussed in more detail later.

Prerequisites for Accessing VMFS on Windows

Before using Free VMFS Reader on Windows, you'll need to ensure you have the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed. You can download the latest version of the JRE from the official Oracle website or use a pre-existing installation if you have one. Once Java is set up, no specific command-line configuration is required for the JRE itself, as Free VMFS Reader handles the Java interaction internally. However, we'll cover the necessary commands for mounting and accessing the VMFS volume in the usage instructions.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using VMFS Reader

1. 1. Determine Disk Details: Open the "Disk Management" utility in Windows (search for "diskmgmt.msc"). Identify the disk corresponding to your VMFS volume. Note the disk number (e.g., Disk 1, Disk 2). This information is crucial for the mounting command.
2. 2. Basic Commands: Free VMFS Reader typically provides a command-line interface. The basic command structure for mounting a VMFS volume is usually:

For example, if your VMFS volume is on "Disk 2" and the Free VMFS Reader JAR file is located in your Downloads folder, the command would be:

1. 3. Accessing Files: After successfully mounting the volume, Free VMFS Reader typically provides access to the files via HTTP or WebDAV. The tool will provide the specific URL to access your files after mounting. You can then open this URL in your web browser or use a WebDAV client to browse and download the files.

Linux and macOS Mounting Instructions

Linux Guide (using davfs2):

1. 1. Install davfs2: Use your distribution's package manager to install the davfs2 package. For example, on Debian/Ubuntu systems:

1. 2. Mount the VMFS Volume: Free VMFS Reader will provide a WebDAV URL after starting. Use this URL with the mount command. You might need to create a mount point directory first:

You may be prompted for credentials if required by the Free VMFS Reader configuration.

macOS Guide:

1. 1. Identify Disk: Use "Disk Utility" to locate the disk containing the VMFS volume. Note the device identifier (e.g., /dev/disk2s1).
2. 2. Adapt Linux Commands: macOS can often use similar command-line tools as Linux. While davfs2 might not be directly available, you can explore similar WebDAV mounting tools or adapt the Linux mount command if a compatible filesystem driver is present. Free VMFS Reader's documentation should provide specific instructions for macOS if WebDAV is not the primary access method. If the tool relies on a FUSE-based approach, you might need to install FUSE for macOS separately.

Limitations of the VMFS Reader

Read-Only Access: Free VMFS Reader primarily provides read-only access to VMFS volumes. This means you can browse, copy, and download files, but you cannot modify, delete, or create new files on the VMFS volume. This limitation is important to consider if you need to make changes to the data on the volume.

Data Integrity: Free VMFS Reader might encounter difficulties with severely damaged VMFS volumes or complex RAID configurations. If the underlying file system structure is corrupted or the RAID metadata is inconsistent, the tool may not be able to interpret the data correctly. In such cases, specialized data recovery tools designed for VMFS and RAID recovery are often necessary.

Conclusion

Free VMFS Reader offers a valuable, no-cost solution for accessing VMFS data on non-VMware systems when dealing with intact volumes. Its simple interface and cross-platform compatibility make it a convenient choice for basic file retrieval. However, its read-only nature and limitations with damaged volumes or complex RAID setups necessitate considering alternatives for more demanding recovery scenarios. DiskInternals VMFS Recovery, while a commercial product, provides a robust solution for data recovery from corrupted VMFS volumes and RAID arrays, offering advanced features like file preview and diverse recovery options. Choosing the right tool depends on your specific needs and the condition of your VMFS data. If you're dealing with a healthy volume and require simple read access, Free VMFS Reader is an excellent choice. However, for data recovery from damaged or complex VMFS structures, investing in a specialized tool like DiskInternals VMFS Recovery is often a necessary step to ensure successful data retrieval.