If you are downloading a VMDK for forensic or archival purposes, verify file integrity. Calculate the MD5 or SHA1 hash of the file on the ESXi host (using md5sum ) and compare it with the hash of the downloaded file on your local machine. This confirms the file did not corrupt during transfer.
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(if not already): Host → Services → TSM-SSH → Start. download vmdk file from datastore
While SCP is excellent for "flat" disks (Thick Provisioning), it can struggle with Thin Provisioned disks. SCP downloads the entire provisioned size (zeros included), effectively inflating a thin disk to a thick disk on your local machine. To maintain the thin format, use the vmkfstools method.
While the vSphere Client offers the simplest user interface for downloading VMDK files, it is not always the most robust solution for enterprise workloads. For small files, the browser is sufficient; for large Thick Provisioned disks, SCP is the industry standard. However, for maximum efficiency and data integrity—especially with Thin Provisioned disks—utilizing vmkfstools to clone the disk prior to transfer is the recommended professional approach. If you are downloading a VMDK for forensic
: Quick, command-line download when SSH is enabled on ESXi.
: Automation or batch downloads.
This method generates a compressed version of the VMDK and a descriptor file, which is often much faster and more reliable than a raw file download. Method 3: Using Third-Party Tools (WinSCP or FileZilla) How to Open VMDK Files in VMware and Extract Data - NAKIVO