The Veeam Cookbook Series

A simple step by step no frills approach to achieving your goal

Recipe: Restoring files with Guest OS File Recovery (Linux/Unix)

Expected deliverables:

One or more guest OS files and folders restored from backups, replicas, storage snapshots and Nutanix AHV snapshots, without restoring the entire VM.

Time to complete: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• You can restore files only from supported File Systems like ext4, XFS and UFS (for a comprehensive list of supported file systems, please check the Help Center)
• You can restore VM guest OS files from a backup or replica that has at least one successfully created restore point.
• If you plan to restore VM guest OS files to their original location, VMware Tools must be installed on the target VM.
• If you want to save files to a new location over the network, make sure that the SSH daemon is configured and SCP utility is available on the target VM.
• Veeam must have access over a network to the guest OS of the target VM or direct access to the vCenter or ESXi host where the target VM resides to deploy a coordination process. If the VM must be available over the network, check that ICMP protocol is enabled on the VM.
• The helper appliance must have access over a network to a VM whose files you restore or direct access to vCenter or ESXi host where the VM resides

Before you start:

You cannot restore files from a backup created in the reverse incremental mode if the backup job is being performed. You cannot restore VM guest OS files from a running replica or if the replication job with the necessary VM is being performed

Assumptions:

It’s assumed that you already have a Veeam Backup Server fully working in your environment.

Method:

1. On the Home tab, click Restore > VMware vSphere > Restore from backup > Guest files restore > Linux and other.
2. At the Machine step, select the VM whose guest OS files you want to restore. In the Machine list, expand the necessary backup and select the VM. Click Next.
3. At the Restore Point step, select a restore point from which you want to restore VM guest OS files.
4. At the Helper Host step, you can select a machine that will be used as a helper host. From the Linux server list, select one of the following options.
   • One of the Linux servers in the list and previously addedd to Veeam infrastructure.
   • Specify a different host if you want to use a Linux server that is not added to the Veeam infrastructure.
   • Use a temporary helper appliance.
5. If you choose to use a temporary helper appliance, then select an ESXi host on which you want to place the helper appliance. Choose an ESXi host, a Resource Pool, a Network, and how to obtain an IP Address for the appliance.
6. At the Reason step, enter a reason for restoring VM guest OS files.
7. At the Summary step, review details of the restore task. Click Browse to close the wizard and open Veeam Backup browser.
8. After the wizard is closed, Veeam opens the Veeam Backup browser with the file system tree of the restored VM. From here you can:
   • Restore files and folders to the original location.
   • Save files and folders to a folder on the backup server or network shared folder.
9. Once you have restored the required files or folders it is recommended that you close the Veeam Backup browser in order to prevent issues with the Job protecting the VM.

Links to Resources:

• Veeam Guides and Helpcenter
• Veeam Community Forums
• Veeam Best Practices

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