ask - what is the best method to merge multiple vmdk with snapshot

[noname212]

hi there,

kindly help me.

I created guest system with vmware workstation 9, with split vmdk, and contain snapshots.

I want to apply last snapshot onto virtual disk as a permanent modified, then I want convert this virtual disk into single virtual disk.

is this possible? if yes. kindly guide me how-to with detail. thanks in advance.

[abhilashhb]

At first you will have to consolidate the snapshots you have. You can ado this be Right-clicking the VM> Snapshot manager > Delete All.

If there are no snapshots showing up there but you still have them you can take a manual snapshot and delete all again. That should work. Or there are command that can be used.

Now coming to the Multiple VMDK's

Can you give one big disk and move all the data into this? If its possible you can do it and then remove the smaller VMDK's once the data is taken off them.

[rcporto]

You can convert the split this into a single disk using the follow command line: vmware-diskmanager -r originalSplitDisk.vmdk -t X targetSingleDisk.vmdk

Where X is:

0: A growable virtual disk contained in a single file (called "monolithic sparse").

1: A growable virtual disk split into 2GB files (called "split sparse").

2: A preallocated virtual disk contained in a single file (called "monolithic flat").

3: A preallocated virtual disk split into 2GB files (called "split flat").

VMware KB: Changing a monolithic disk to a split disk in VMware Workstation

[noname212]

Hi,

thanks for reply.

I don't understand about your instruction:

Can you give one big disk and move all the data into this? If its possible you can do it and then remove the smaller VMDK's once the data is taken off them

do you mean I just copy / move the vmdk files to another disk? then delete the vmdk files with small size?

[abhilashhb]

Richardson,

The point here is to merge the disks which are already split.

[rcporto]

Abhilashhb, are you saying that VM from noname212 has two independent .vmdk ?

[noname212]

hi,

thanks for reply.

so assume the file name is myguest.vmdk, and the child:

myguest-0001.vmdk with myguest-0001-s001.vmdk, myguest-0001-s002.vmdk....myguest-0001-s011.vmdk

myguest-0002.vmdk with myguest-0002-s001.vmdk, myguest-0002-s002.vmdk....myguest-0002-s011.vmdk

and so on.

then I need to run the command:

vmware-diskmanager -r myguest.vmdk -t myguest-0001.vmdk newsingledisk.vmdk

vmware-diskmanager -r myguest.vmdk -t myguest-0002.vmdk newsingledisk.vmdk

and so on

?

am I correct?

[noname212]

Hi,

nope, only 1 single independent disk. thanks

[rcporto · Accepted solution]

Look for the file myguest.vmdk and run one of the following command;

vmware-diskmanager -r myguest.vmdk -t 0 myguestmerged.vmdk (for single thin disk)

vmware-diskmanager -r myguest.vmdk -t 2 myguestmerged.vmdk (for single thick disk)

Check a example here: Merging VMware Fusion/Workstation Virtual Split Disk into a Single VMDK | artykul8

[abhilashhb]

before you do anything, Can you provide a screen shot of your VM's files?

[noname212]

sure.

attached files are the screenshot

attached files are the screenshot. thanks.

[rcporto]

Ok... after remove all snapshots and ensure you have sufficient space for the new disk, you can merge the files into a single vmdk file using one of the following:

vmware-vdiskmanager.exe -r "filepath of original disk\Windows XP Professional.vmdk" -t 0 "filepath of new disk\Windows XP Professional Merged.vmdk"

vmware-vdiskmanager.exe -r "filepath of original disk\Windows XP Professional.vmdk" -t 2 "filepath of new disk\Windows XP Professional Merged.vmdk"

[noname212]

Hi,

what is the difference between "-t 0" and "-t 2"?

thanks

[rcporto]

Both will create a single merged vmdk the difference is the method of allocation:

0: A growable virtual disk contained in a single file (called "monolithic sparse").

2: A preallocated virtual disk contained in a single file (called "monolithic flat").

[noname212]

thanks all.

it's work.