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Opening virtual disk '[iScsiStore1] SERVER_2.vmdk' via network due to server license restrictions

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Hi,
I'm testing vmprotect8 trial. I have all vsphere 5.0x host attached to datastore with iSCSI, vmprotect appliance and backup to network share

During the backup, I saw the following in the log:

"Opening virtual disk '[iScsiStore1] SERVER_2.vmdk' via network due to server license restrictions"

My questions are:
1. is this the restriction of trial license?
2. If not, what cause it and how do I change to accesss datastore directly?

Thanks,
Aldous

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Posts: 22
Comments: 3800

Hi Aldous,

The message is referring to the virtual disk read mode being used. The mode (direct SAN access, hot-add or network mode also known as NBD) is selected automatically and by default the fastest available mode is chosen (direct SAN access or hot-add). In your case the message indicates that the hot-add mode is unavailable due to missing "Hot-pluggable hardware" feature in the features covered by your vSphere license (Essentials Plus or lesser license). You can see the list of features provided by your vSphere license in vSphere client->select ESX(i) host->go to Configuration tab->Licensed Features.

The interesting thing about this case is that we have just recently discovered (after a long conversation with VMware) that virtual disks hot-add can be actually used under _any_ vSphere license, despite the fact that for example under vSphere Essentials license there are restrictions for hot-adding other virtual hardware. It appears to be a hidden (but still officially supported by VMware) method and therefore we have disabled the check for vSphere license for vSphere 5.0+ versions in the product code. This means that hot-add backup method (which is fast and LAN-free) will be available for all users of vSphere 5.0+ versions under any vSphere license (except free of course). This change will be included into Acronis vmProtect 8 Update 1 which we are currently working on and plan to release within the next 2 months.

Thank you.
--
Best regards,
Vasily
Acronis vmProtect Program Manager

Thanks Vasily,

Yes, I have vSphere 5.0 Essentials Plus
So, if I understand you correctly, iSCSI SAN is considered as hot-added disks in vSphere and it is currently not being used with vmprotect8 but will supported in next update.

Thanks again,
Aldous

At first glance, I thought that this was a license issue since it was a trial version. But is there an update for this already?

frestogaslorastaswastavewroviwroclolacorashibushurutraciwrubrishabenichikucrijorejenufrilomuwrigaslowrikejawrachosleratiswurelaseriprouobrunoviswosuthitribrepakotritopislivadrauibretisetewrapenuwrapi
Posts: 22
Comments: 3800

Hi Gavin,

Yes, this issue is addressed in the latest 8184 build of Acronis vmProtect where we "Enabled hot-add functionality for vSphere 5.0+ environments in cases where vSphere Essentials or lesser VMware license is used. Now, LAN-free backup/replication is available for all types of vSphere licenses (5.0+) when using Virtual Appliance-based installation of Acronis vmProtect." - quote from release notes: http://www.acronis.com/support/updates/changes.html?p=23611

Thank you.
--
Best regards,
Vasily
Acronis vmProtect Program Manager