(if original datastore is gone):
vim-cmd storage/vmfs_mount_snapshot <snapshot-uuid> <datastore-name> # Check if the device appears esxcli storage core device list -d naa.600601605a281800 Check partition table partedUtil get /vmfs/devices/disks/naa.600601605a281800 recovering vmfs datastore
Use UFS Explorer – it automatically detects VMFS5/6 and can rebuild the partition table. Scenario B: Corrupted VMFS Metadata (Superblock, File Allocation) Symptoms: Datastore shows as "Unmounted" or "Corrupt," VMs missing, but LUN size correct. " VMs missing
Volume Name UUID Extent Number Snapshot UUID Datastore1 abc123... 0 def456... To mount without resignaturing (temporary, read-only): recovering vmfs datastore
esxcli storage vmfs snapshot list Output example: