Posts about C# and F#
Using these tools is a fundamentally different process: one must present the raw LUN to a Windows or Linux workstation, run the recovery tool in read-only mode, and export recovered files (usually flat VMDKs or configuration files) to a new , healthy datastore. This is not a "repair" of the original datastore but a rescue operation. It is time-consuming (often days for multi-terabyte volumes) and requires sufficient staging space. Success depends entirely on the degree of fragmentation and whether the corruption has destroyed the VMFS heartbeat region.
If possible, create a block-level copy of the LUN before trying destructive repairs. repair vmfs datastore
💡 VOMA is primarily a diagnostic tool. While newer versions have limited "fix" capabilities, it is often safer to recover data than to force a repair on a severely damaged volume. Step 3: Handle VMFS Header Issues Using these tools is a fundamentally different process:
Logical errors in the file system structure. Success depends entirely on the degree of fragmentation
The vmkfstools -F (or --fix ) switch is the closest analogue to Windows chkdsk . When executed against a volume path (e.g., vmkfstools -F check /vmfs/volumes/DatastoreName ), it scans for metadata inconsistencies, orphaned file descriptors, and incorrect resource counts. However, this is not a magic wand. It operates in three phases: "check" (read-only), "repair" (fixing minor issues like incorrect link counts), and "fix" (attempting more aggressive recovery). A crucial caveat: vmkfstools cannot recover actual file data; it can only repair the filesystem's pointers. If a virtual machine's VMDK descriptor file points to the wrong blocks, the repair may succeed logically while leaving the VM booting to a blue screen.
If the VMFS structure is unrecoverable, do not format the LUN. You still have options.
I can provide the specific CLI commands tailored to your version.