import VM from usb HDD directly attached to sangfor node

i have a little question: is it possibile to import VM to datastore from an usb hdd (NTFS formatted and that contain already an ova image exported from vmware) directly attached to a node sangfor ?  i saw that i can expose the hdd to internal sangor VMs, but not directly to cluster interface for import with import VM tool in the gui.. tks a lot

HiHi,

Unfortunately, Sangfor's cluster interface does not directly support importing VMs from an NTFS-formatted USB HDD. The import VM tool in the GUI is designed to work with specific data stores and storage formats.
Sangfor nodes typically interact with their internal VMs, but not directly with external storage devices like USB HDDs.

Hi,
unfortunately it's not possible to attach an usb disk to an HCI Node and import/export vm on it. You have to use the web ui to import VM file.
Here are the steps to import a virtual machine (VM) into Sangfor HCI:
Log in to your Sangfor HCI environment.
Navigate to the Compute section.
Click on New.
Select “Import Virtual Machine”.
You’ll be redirected to a new page.
Click on the file icon and choose the image file you want to import (it should be in OVA or VMA format).
Optionally, you can modify VM information such as Group, Datastore, Storage policy, and working location.
Click “Import” to start the upload process. Depending on the image size and network bandwidth, this may take some time.
Once completed, you can close the page.
Verify that the VM has been successfully imported.
Remember that Sangfor HCI supports importing VMs from platforms like VMware, Citrix, and Hyper-V

It may not be possible to directly import a VM from an NTFS-formatted USB HDD attached to a Sangfor node via the cluster interface for the import VM tool in the GUI. While Sangfor allows exposing the HDD to internal Sangfor VMs, the import process typically requires interaction through the GUI, which may not support importing directly from externally attached storage. However, you could potentially transfer the OVA image from the USB HDD to a supported storage location accessible by the Sangfor node, such as a network share or internal storage, and then proceed with the import process through the GUI.

Hi,

No , you need to use  web ui to import VM file.

Thanks,

The following types of VM files can be imported onto Sangfor HCI platform: OVA files
exported from VMware virtualization platform, VMA files exported from other Sangfor HCI
platforms.
To import a virtual machine file, click New in Compute, select Import Virtual Machine on
the Create New Virtual Machine page to enter the following page.

tks all for the replies

As of now there is no way to import from USB external drive then direct to Sangfor node, let's wait for the future updates

Yes, it is possible to import a virtual machine (VM) from an NTFS-formatted USB HDD directly attached to a Sangfor node, as long as the Sangfor platform supports USB passthrough to virtual machines. Generally, USB passthrough allows a hypervisor to pass a USB device connected to the host directly to a guest VM, which can then access the USB device as if it were directly connected to a physical machine.

If the Sangfor platform supports USB passthrough to its virtual machines, you should be able to expose the USB HDD containing the OVA image to a specific VM. Once the USB HDD is exposed to the VM, you can then use the VM's interface to transfer the OVA image to the datastore within the VM's storage environment.

It's important to note that the process of importing a VM from a USB HDD may differ depending on the specific capabilities and configurations of the Sangfor platform and virtualization environment. Additionally, the import process might involve using command-line tools or APIs instead of the GUI-based import VM tool, especially if the USB HDD is not directly accessible through the cluster interface.

directly importing a VM to the datastore from a USB HDD attached to a Sangfor node is not recommended and might not be feasible.

Here's why:

    Sangfor HCI primarily focuses on internal storage management. While it allows exposing the USB HDD to internal VMs, it's not designed for direct interaction with external storage devices for VM import tasks.
    Security concerns: Directly attaching external storage devices like USB drives raises security risks. It introduces potential vulnerabilities like unauthorized access or malware introduction.
    Performance limitations: USB connections typically offer slower transfer speeds compared to internal storage options like SAN or dedicated storage pools, potentially impacting the VM import process.

Instead, consider these alternative methods for importing VMs into your Sangfor HCI environment:

1. Upload the OVA file:

    Use the vCenter Client or Sangfor HCI web management console to upload the OVA file directly from your local computer onto the datastore. This is the recommended and secure approach.

2. Copy the OVA file to a shared folder:

    Copy the OVA file to a shared folder accessible by the Sangfor node. You can achieve this by utilizing network-attached storage (NAS) or a shared folder on another Sangfor node. Then, use the management console to import the VM from the shared location.

3. Utilize Sangfor backup and recovery solutions:

    If your OVA file originates from a backup created using Sangfor HCI backup tools, leverage those tools to directly restore the VM to the desired datastore.