Deleting/consolidating intermediate snapshots

[kriemer]

A lot of discussion on the forum about deleting intermediate snapshots with the conclusion being (I think) that this is a bad idea and will possibly lead to a system crash.

Given the above, any suggestions about how to handle the following situation:

Imagine a Virtual Machine comprised of a string of snapshots, A, B, C, D, E, F. Snap B, D, and E are just taking up space. I realize that I can Clone Snap F and wind up with a consolidated VM but what can I do if my goal is to maintain Snap A, and Snap FA?

Any way to do this?

[IamTHEvilONE]

We should be able to merge 2 "middle point" snapshots. Because what you have stated is a snapshot chain.

Root Node ==> A ==> B ==> C ==> D ==> E ==> F

In case you want to save the HDD space from B D & E, they have to be merged somewhere. To maintain your revert points a snapshot would have to be merged to the right.

Root Node <== A <== BC <== DE+F

Please note I am using a Workstation Tech Preview, but it worked for me. I had a chain like this:

Root <== OS installed <== app installed <== upgrade os <== upgraded app <== created test database <== you are here

I clicked on my "App Installed" and clicked Delete, and it merged successfully to the right.

As for the resulting crash .... I haven't hit one before, and don't know of a 3rd party tool to merge those snapshots.


Regards,

EvilOne

VMware vExpert 2009

NOTE: If your problem or questions has been resolved, please mark this thread as answered and award points accordingly.

[kriemer]

Cool, but I don't see anywhere to merge to the right in your example. What am I missing?

Carrying the idea further, is there anyway to delete Snap B, D, & E; just maintaining Snap A & F?

Thanks 10^6

k

[IamTHEvilONE · Accepted solution]

Just highlight the nodes you want to remove (B) and click "delete".

It may be counter intuitive, but "delete" means "merge node to right"

Regards,

EvilOne

VMware vExpert 2009

NOTE: If your problem or questions has been resolved, please mark this thread as answered and award points accordingly.