Can I use Vcenter Converter Standalone to reduce size of VMDK on ESXi (no Vcenter)

[rhubear25]

I have 1 ESXi v6.7 free host, no Vcenter. 

I have made the Virt HD (VMDK) on a VM too large, want to reduce size.

I saw a post on the forum here about Vcenter Converter Standalone, which I DL free from VMware.

Is it possible to use this tool when the ESXi host is NOT Vcenter managed?

If not, are there other tools to reduce the VMDK?  If not, I'll just create another VM, migrate stuff across.

[rhubear25]

Nevermind, I figured out how to use Converter....

[scott28tt]

@rhubear25 

Moderator: Moved to Converter Standalone Discussions

[rhubear25]

Does anyone know what is happening on a screen like this?  Nothing visible changing except for duration of job.

I've ended up just creating a new VM & copy backed up files across.

If I look at the storage, there IS another VM created, but with VMDK exactly the same size (not reduced like I needed).

[a_p_]

Did you enable the advanced settings for the virtual disks? This will allow you to specify different sizes for the VM's virtual disks

Andr

[rhubear25]

You mean the advanced settings on the Dlg in attached screenshot?

I did look around in there, but nothing seemed to be appropriate.

In the main VM settings, virt disk space can only be INC not DEC.  I overdid the INC.

On this forum I see many asking about decreasing HD space.   A common problem.

What _should_ be supported is  ==

* Shrink partition (Gparted for me in Linux server)

* Reduce VMDK in main Settings (naturally only to the size of the paritition).

[a_p_]

What I'm talking about are the advanced options in the Converter wizard.

André

[rhubear25]

You mean ....this screenshot...  Options at end of Wizard, specifying "thin" VMDX?

Did that.  Didn't help.

I _am_ using ESXi v6.7.  Maybe V7 is better?

If I remember correctly I'm not using V7 bc my NIC is not advanced enough.  ESXi is more and more particular about hardware apparently.

[a_p_]

Unless you are using an unsupported file system, you should see a "Select volumes to copy" in the "Data copy type" drop-down menu.

André

[rhubear25]

Ive only got one option in that drop-down:  Copy all disks & maintain layout.

My Datastore is a (Linux) QNAP NAS, filesystem EXT4 I believe, if thats what you mean.

This _is_ the freebie Converter, so may be limited?

Nevermind, I've sorted out my problem already, new VM up and running, so will sortly delete the old VM, and be VERY careful regarding Virt Disk management in future.  Easy when I know whats needed.