in the past week we have update our ESXi server to the latest version (VMware ESXi, 7.0.3, 20842708)
during the update process I've moved VMs from one ESXi to another.
this caused a backup failure on our VEEAM backup system.
i noticed that a snapshots was created to some VMs and Consolidate is required.
it looks like Consolidation process didn't work properly since the VMs is running on the snapshot file _2-000003.vmdk and getting a message: "Virtual machine disks consolidation is needed"
in addition I've noticed to unusual VMs behavior - ping loss and disconnection.
i tried the following:
1. Consolidate
2. create new Snapshot --> Consolidate --> delete Snapshot
what is the best practice to do a Consolidation and delete all snapshots ?
Regards
Try to consolidate VM from ESXi level not from vCenter. Or create one more snapshot and after that Delete All Snapshots.
Did you already try the "Delete All" option from the Snapshot Manager? You may need to create a new snapshot in order for the option to be available.
If that doesn't work, take a look at the VM's vmware.log, and search for related entries. This assumes that you run "Delete All" with the VM being powered on. Maybe the failed backup job still has a lock on the VM's files.
André
Try to consolidate VM from ESXi level not from vCenter. Or create one more snapshot and after that Delete All Snapshots.
a_p_ is right.
3rd-party backup software will take a snapshot when making a VM backup and sometimes you can't see the snapshot in vCenter so that you can't figure out how to solve the problem.
If there are no snapshot to delete, you can create a snapshot to make Delete All Snapshot option clickable.
By the way, you can also try Vinchin Backup & Recovery. It is a good alternative to Veeam.
Finally that worked for me:
1. shutdown the machine.
2. create new snapshot.
3. delete all snapshots.
Thanks for your help !
important update:
when i tried to run new backup job (configured from scratch)
the problem showed up again!
i got again the alert on target servers: "Virtual machine disks consolidation is needed."
Veaam Support blames VMware.
what to do next?
Did you take a look at the vmware.log yet?
André