Restoring or backing up virtual machines using VDDK API fails with the error: Not licensed to use this function. Error 16064 at 2357

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• Restore or backup of virtual machines using Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK) Application Programming Interface (API) fails.
• When performing a restore or backup of virtual machines you do not have access rights at vCenter Server level.
• The VDDK logs (by default located at %temp%\vmware-user) contains an error similar to:
  
  Not licensed to use this function. Error 16064 at 2357
  

Environment

VMware Virtual Disk Development 1.2
Virtual Disk Development Kit 5.1

Cause

This issue occurs when the permissions are not applied at vCenter Server level. This can be seen in VDDK 5.1 and 5.5 only. Earlier versions (for example, 5.0) do not have this issue.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, ensure you have permissions for VDDK 5.1 and 5.5 at vCenter Server level.

Another way to resolve the issue is by upgrading to vSphere 5.1 U3, which removes this requirement for the Global.Licenses privilege.

To ensure you have permissions for VDDK 5.1 and 5.5 at vCenter Server level:

1. Check your permissions level:
   
   
   • Using WebClient or vSphere Client.
   • Click the vCenter entity and then click the Permissions tab.
   • You will see your user name listed if you have permissions.
     
     
2. If you do not have VDDK 5.1 and 5.5 permissions at vCenter Server level, set your permissions.
   
• Add a user at vCenter Server level:
  
• Select vCenter entity, click the Permissions tab.
• Right-Click in the permissions tab and click Add permissions.
• Click Add User and assign these privileges:
  
• Navigate to Global > DisableMethods and EnableMethods.
• Navigate to Global > License.
  
  
• If the user is not listed, add the user with these privileges:
  
• Navigate to Global > DisableMethods and EnableMethods.
• Navigate to Global > License.