Reclaiming Wasted vDisk storage - shrink disk

[rickyelqasem]

Ok I wrote an FREE app/article to demonstrate how to reclaim virtual disk space that might be wasted because the vdisk was over allocated in the first place.

http://blog.virtualizeplanet.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=86&Itemid=9

I welcome feedback.

Ricky El-Qasem

VCI/VCP - MCSE - RHCT

[rickyelqasem]

Updated link:

http://read.virtualizeplanet.com/?p=8

Ricky El-Qasem

VCI/VCP - MCSE - RHCT

[stimko]

Nice article, but no better way?

Have a linux server that ate up a bunch of space on my datastore from a ever growing mysql db. Solved the sql problem and suppressed the rapid linux partition expansion from the sql db. I was able to clean up the local partition on the vm but now my datastore is low on avail space, meanwhile I'm still over provisioned by 100gb or so. Are the steps in this article my only option to reclaim the now freed up space?

maybe a vmkfstools cmd?

[rickyelqasem]

Is you can use the vmkfstools -X command to shrink the vdisk as well. My article was more around handling the OS partition which VMware currently does't do. Also the reason I described the process in the way I did was to keep it simple for those not familar with cmd-line.

Ricky El-Qasem

VCI/VCP - MCSE - RHCT

[rickyelqasem]

Also I want to program version 1.1 with some idea's I have to make the process slicker. Maybe include a feature in the VWF app to shrink the vdisk for you.

If you think this is a good idea let me know.

Ricky El-Qasem

VCI/VCP - MCSE - RHCT

[stimko]

that sounds great, I'm still a bit confused but going to try a

vmkfstool -i vmdkFile -d thin vmdkFile2'

as soon as my backup is done...

-s

[rickyelqasem]

Actually that information might be legacy.

vmkfstools -X used to allow you to shrink a disk but that is past tense.

Sorry.

Stick with the method in the article its simpler for now.

Ricky El-Qasem

VCI/VCP - MCSE - RHCT

[stimko]

not really shrinking the partition/container, just need to compress the thin vmdk file...

[rickyelqasem]

I see now

You can convert from Thick to Thin and vise versa - One way is a little tricky compared to the other.

You are giving me some good ideas on improving my app though.

Ricky El-Qasem

VCI/VCP - MCSE - RHCT