ESXi 4.1 - Free storage space dropping dramtically when server is on

[sdietz]

Hi All,

I have a very basic ESXi 4.1 with a guest os of Windows Server 2008. The total datastore is 225GB, the server is 200GB, leaving 25GB of free space in the datastore. The server is just a basic DC and file server. The actual space available on the server is not growing at fast rate or anything like that.

It seems like every other day I need to commit snapshots to free up space. Why is the guest OS using up all the free space? It seems like to be using a lot more then neccessary. Is there anything I can do to help?

Thanks!

[marcelo_soares]

What do you mean by "It seems like every other day I need to commit snapshots to free up space". Do you take VM snapshots? Snapshots are supposed to increase in size....

Marcelo Soares

VMWare Certified Professional 310/410

Virtualization Tech Master

Globant Argentina

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[sdietz]

Yes I do take snapshots. I like to have one in case of emergency. However, I have 25GB on the datastore, I'll take 1 snapshot (so there is 1 total snapshot in the snapshot manager). The free space in the datastore will drop a few GB but there is still around 20GB left. If I do nother for the next two days and just let the server run as normal, it will shutdown because there is no more free space on the datastore. The only way to free it up is commit all snapshots and start all over. It just seems like the snapshot is growing a lot more then is should. Especially when the actual O/S disk size is not increasing at all.

[marcelo_soares]

Ok, but you must have in mind that even if you erase a file on the server the snapshot will increase, because it is not a file repository, it is a changelog. So if you change a bit on your disk, this bit will need to be registered on the snapshot delta file. Only this way you will be able to revert the disk to its original state.

Marcelo Soares

VMWare Certified Professional 310/410

Virtualization Tech Master

Globant Argentina

Consider awarding points for "helpful" and/or "correct" answers.

[sdietz]

Thanks for the info. I just never realized it would grow that fast!

[marcelo_soares]

Yeah.... it really depends on VM IO....

Marcelo Soares

VMWare Certified Professional 310/410

Virtualization Tech Master

Globant Argentina

Consider awarding points for "helpful" and/or "correct" answers.

[marcelo_soares]

Hey man, would you mind rewarding some points on useful information?

Thanksss

Marcelo Soares

VMWare Certified Professional 310/410

Virtualization Tech Master

Globant Argentina

Consider awarding points for "helpful" and/or "correct" answers.

[Texiwill]

Hello

Moved to the vSphere Storage Forum.

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[sdietz]

yea no problem at all. I just gave you the correct answer