Explanation for the VBoxManage python script

This also includes a version that once completed, would allow you to make a number selection along with being able to select all the vms and loop through the backup script until all the vms have completed a backup. That version is TestCode. I do not have the knowledge to make this work, so I have to use this. Also includes the previous version of this, which sets the variables in the fuctions as global. The VBoxManage version has fixed this.

Previous_Version

VBoxManage

TestCode

Requirements

• Needed to run commands from cmd
  • import subprocess
  • import os
• Needed to get the date for later folder creation
  • from datetime import date
• Get the current date in DDMonth(Abrev)YYYY
  • d4 = date.today().strftime("%d%b%Y")
  • d4 stores the current date for later

Gettting the values

• Define the function
  • def get_values():
• Add tasks to the function
  • Call VBoxManage and list the vms
    • subprocess.run(["VBoxManage.exe", "list", "vms"])
  • Ask which vm to Backup
    • get_values.VMName = input("Which VM do you want to backup? ")
  • List the drives and ask which one to use
    • subprocess.run(["wmic", "LOGICALDISK", "LIST", "BRIEF"])
    • get_values.DriveDest = input("Letter of drive you want to store backup on: ")
  • Bring it al together to make the VM destination string
    • get_values.VMDest = str(get_values.DriveDest) + ":\VM Backup\\" + str(d4) + str("\\") + str(get_values.VM_BAK_NAME)

Define the backup function

• Define the function
  • def VM_BAK():
• Add tasks to the function
  • subprocess.run(["VBoxManage.exe", "export", str(get_values.VMName), "--options", "iso", "--ovf10", "--output", str(get_values.VMDest)])

Define the make directory function

• Define the function
  • def make_directory():
• Add tasks to the function
  • Print a message saying the directory does not exist
    • print("Directory does not exist, creating now")
  • Create the directory
    • os.mkdir(str(get_values.DriveDest) + ":\VM Backup\\" + str(d4))

Change to the correct directory

• VBoxManage directory
  • Change to the VirtualBox directory
    • os.chdir("C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox")

Invoke the get_values function

• Invoke the get_values function
  • get_values

Test if the backup directory exists or not

• Define the path to check
  • path_test = str(get_values.DriveDest) + ":\VM Backup\\" + str(d4)
• Return a true or false value based on if the directory exists or not
  • ispath = os.path.isdir(path_test)

Invoke the deciding IF statement

• This statement decides what to do based on if the directory exists
  • If directory exists, starts backup
    • if ispath == True: print("Directory already exists, starting backup") VM_BAK()
  • If directory does not exist, creates it and starts backup
    • elif ispath == False: make_directory() VM_BAK() else: end