createSnapshotTask with SE-sparse disk type

[IT_ST]

In Vmware's Horizon View Linked Clones are of a disk type SE-sparse.

Is there any programmatic way to take a snapshot (basically linked clone) and to have it use the se-sparse type?

We currently use this API call but there is nothing there that mentions the type.

A good option for me if an API call is not possible to convert it to that type somehow (vmkfstool?). anything like that possible?

Bottom line is that with our current setup, each snapshot's block size is 512 bytes which causes us a lot of performance issues. We would love to some how have them be 4k (sesparse) and without using Horizon View.

Thanks.

[lamw]

You are correct, today SE-Sparse disks are only supported through Horizon View, however it can be accessible through vSphere API. There no concept of specifying disk type for a snapshot, that would be based on what the original base disk is provisioned as.

Take a look at these articles regarding SE-Sparse disk format and should give you what you need from an API perspective:

*** DISCLAIMER: This is not officially supported, use at your own risk DISCLAIMER***

http://www.virtuallyghetto.com/2012/09/how-to-create-se-sparse-space-efficient.html

http://www.virtuallyghetto.com/2012/09/creating-se-sparse-linked-clones-using.html

virtuallyGhetto: How To Initiate a Wipe & Shrink Operation On an SE Sparse Based Disk

[IT_ST]

Thanks for the reply.

I actually have found a post here that might be of help.

https://communities.vmware.com/message/2244599#2244599

I am going to test and post back.

[lamw]

Not sure if you noticed, but the links shared in the other link is the same one I posted here and I'm the author of the blog article

[IT_ST]

No I have not