How to test manually mounting NFS folder

Challenge

This KB documents how to manually mount the vPower NFS Datatstore to an ESXi host, using the vSphere Client and vSphere Web Client. This action is performed as part of the troubleshooting steps to resolve an issue with vPower NFS backed restores are failing. For Veeam Backup & Replication 9.5 Update 4 and later please refer to the More Information section for additional settings required for testing.
 
For information regarding troubleshooting vPower NFS: http://www.veeam.com/kb1055

For information regarding issues where the vPower NFS Service will not start: http://www.veeam.com/kb1094

Solution

Before beginning ensure that proper communication exists between the vPower NFS server and the ESXi server. Review http://www.veeam.com/kb1055 for information regarding this.
 
Starting with Veeam Backup & Replication 6.0 it is possible to have the vPower NFS Datastore mount to another server, please check the settings for this within the repository settings.
http://helpcenter.veeam.com/backup/70/vsphere/repository_nfs.html 
 
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How to manually mount the vPower NFS Datastore – using vSphere Client
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1.  Open the VMware vSphere Client
2.  Connect to the vCenter Server or the Standalone ESXi host (skip step 3 for standalone host).
3.  Locate and select the host that you are attempting to mount the vPower NFS datastore to.
4.  On the right select the [Configuration] tab.
5.  Within the Hardware section on the left, select [Storage]
6.  On the far right click [Add Storage…]
7.  In the Add Storage wizard that opens, select the radio option for “Network File System”, and click next.
8.  On the next tab fill in each of the fields as detailed below:

Server – This can be the IP Address, Hostname, or FQDN of the vPower NFS server. If the mount fails with the hostname it is possible your host is unable to resolve DNS, try using the IP Address.
Folder – This must be /VeeamBackup_<netbios name of vPower NFS Server>
Datastore Name – This must be identical to the folder minus the leading forward slash. 



9.  After filling this out click Next, then click Finish. Observe whether the task completes. If it does not complete review the error by clicking [View] and review the issue that VMware had when attempting to add the NFS datastore.



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How to manually mount the vPower NFS Datastore – using vSphere Web-Client
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1.  Open and connect to your vCenter Server using the vSphere Web-Client
2.  From the home screen on the left select vCenter



3.  Select Datastores



4.  Click the Add Datastore button



5.  In the new datastore wizard select the host that you are attempting to connect the NFS datastore to.
6.  Under Type, select “NFS”
7.  Fill in each of the fields as detailed below:

Datastore Name – This must be VeeamBackup_<netbios name of vPower NFS Server>
Server – This can be the IP Address, Hostname, or FQDN of the vPower NFS server. If the mount fails with the hostname it is possible your host is unable to resolve DNS, try using the IP Address.
Folder – This must be /VeeamBackup_<netbios name of vPower NFS Server>


8.  Click Next, and then Finish
9.  Under recent tasks watch to see if the task completes. Mouse over the task to see additional details.
 

More Information