[libvirt] VMWare "independent disk" processing needed

[computernews at rambler.ru]

Hello,

On VMware ESX server it is possible for the virtual machine to add the 
"independent disk" - the kind of virtual disk that (among other 
features) is not being covered by the snapshot logic.

As I am working on some kind of backup solution I need to be able to 
backup the precise state of the guest virtual machine running on say 
VMware ESX server.

I am able to perform a backup of a guest machine description with 
libvirts's amazing API which covers most of my needs except the 
aforementioned "independent disk" virtual disk type. The problem shows 
up at the restore type when I need to create the new virtual machine 
having an .xml file created by "virsh dumpxml" command. In fact I use 
API but "virsh does the same". This .xml file covers most of guest 
machine's aspects but it doesn't reflect the "independent" nature of 
such disks. So the virtual machine is going to be restored incorrectly 
when includes "independent disks".

 From the source codes of "libvirt"  ("/libvirt/src/vmx/vmx.*") I see 
that this is ment to be covered but yet is not implemented. Appropriate 
nodes must be stored in .xml file during the backup and returned back to 
.vmx file during the restore.

So here are my questions: Is someone on it at the moment ? If yes - can 
I help somehow ? If no - whom shell I approach in order to be 
mentored/directed if I decide to participate, implement this and 
contribute the patch back to the source code ?

Thanks for an answer in advance.

Best regards
Oleh Paliy
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