For recovering a file,  I don't use VSM recover option.   I bring the snapshot online in EQL GUI.  Rescan on one ESXi node.   Do "Add storage" and resignature the snapshot.   I then use a test VM and add the VMDK that VM.   Then you can copy the files you need very quickly.   I use test VM, because when you done, you need to shutdown the VM in order to remove the VMDK from that VM.   One of the main reasons VSM uses a clone is if you don't reserve enough snapshot reserve, the snapshot could get deleted during the restore process.    The partial copy would likely invalidate your VM, and worst case, it was only snapshot would leave you down.  A clone insures that can't happen.   If you want to copy an entire VMDK, you can do that too.  Same process as above but don't add it to a VM.  Use the VI client browse to the snapshot,  find the VM and right mouse over the VMDK and do a "Copy"    Then you can "paste" it over the original VMDK.   That's faster I find.  Remember, make sure you have snapshot reserve or snapshot borrowing enabled if you want to do this.  Lastly, when you are done with the snapshot, go to EQL GUI.  Put it offline.  THEN go to VI client and rescan that node.  Configuration->Storage Adapters->Right mouse over iSCSI adapter-> Rescan.  Regards, 
Hello. I have an environment that consists of esxi 5.1 hosts, vcenter 5.5, and VSM 4. I have a question on recovering files from equalllogic snapshots. I did this successfully by cloning the snapshot and mounting the vmdk on another guest vm but it seems there is a better way to do this without wasting space and time by cloning. Since I already have a snap datastore cannot I not mount this datastore in vcenter? It does not let me see the data store because of having the same signature as the existing datastore. Is there a workaround for this? Also can I add the snap vmdk to my existing guest VM without any issues? I get a warning that the guest vm already has a drive with the signature and it may cause boot issues when using the clone vmdk.Thanks.
VSM 4 Snaps and vmware 