VMDK Descriptor file

[vinay1]

Hi Techies,

just want to know about the VMDK Descriptor file. is it compulsory that each Virtual disk should have a descriptor file. I have VM and has 3 virtual disk but I can'nt see any descriptor file and everything is normal.

please explain in detail about it.

regards

VINAY

[petedr]

If everything is working fine that is a good thing but I believe every disk should have a descriptor file. You may not see the files if you are datastore browser if that is how you are looking at it.

If needed this is a good VMware KB Article on recrearing a missing vmdk descripter file if you are missing it.

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=100251...

Pete

[a_p_]

As mentioned by petedr, the datastore browser doesn't display all files. What you see is the descriptor's file name along with the data (flat or delta) file's size.

André

[continuum]

Datastorebrowser only display broken vmdks correctly.

If name-flat.vmdk and name.vmdk match Datastorebrowser displays name.vmdk only.
If name-flat.vmdk do not match - maybe because of an invalid entry in name.vmdk Datastorebrowser displays both files.

Use WinSCP if possible - that displays the vmdks correctly