VMDK and FLAT-VMDK

[ManP3082]

Hi

I know the difference between a .vmdk- and a flat.vmdk-file.
But why does a ESX-Host use flat-files and VM-Workstation does not?

Why these different ways to handle VM-disks?

Thank you in advance!

M.

[a_p_ · Accepted solution]

Welcome to the Community,

flat.vmdk files indeed work with VMware Workstation. However, the default is a sparse .vmdk file format for several reasons, e.g. to save disk space, be able to store the split .vmdk files on file systems which don't support large files, ....

The VMFS file system on ESXi hosts supports large files, and also support thin provisioning (which  is a file system feature) to save disk sapce.

André

[ManP3082]

Thank you for your prompt reply!