Converting a monolithic sparse (single growable) disk to split sparse (disk split into 2GB files) in VMware Fusion

Products

• VMware Desktop Hypervisor

Issue/Introduction

This article provides steps to convert a monolithic sparse (single growable) disk into a split sparse (disk split into 2GB files) in VMware Fusion.

Environment

VMware Fusion 6.x
VMware Fusion 4.x
VMware Fusion 2.x
VMware Fusion 3.x
VMware Fusion Pro 8.x
VMware Fusion 8.x
VMware Fusion 10.x
VMware Fusion Pro 10.x
VMware Fusion 5.x
VMware Fusion 7.x

Resolution

Fusion 10.x, 8.x, 7.x, 6.x, 5.x and Fusion 4.x

Note: Ensure that there are no snapshots on the virtual machine. Delete/Consolidate any existing snapshots. For more information, see Consolidating snapshots in VMware Fusion (1020000)

1. Shutdown the virtual machine.
2. From the Apple menu bar, click Virtual Machine > Settings > Hard Disk.
3. Click the triangle beside Advanced options.
4. Select Split into 2 GB chunks/ Split into multiple files.
5. Click Apply.

For more information on virtual hard disks in VMware Fusion 4, see the Online Help.

Fusion 3.x and 2.x

1. Shutdown the virtual machine
2. From Fusion's menu bar, click Virtual Machine > Settings > Hard Disks.
3. Select Split into 2 GB chunks.
4. Click Apply.

Fusion 1.x

To change a virtual disk from monolithic sparse to split sparse:

Note: Ensure that the virtual machine which is being converted is not running on a snapshot.

1. Power off the virtual machine.
2. Open a Terminal session from /Applications/Utilities.
3. Enter this command:
   
   cd /Library/Application Support/VMware Fusion
    
4. Enter this command to convert a monolithic virtual disk to 2GB files:
   
   vmware-vdiskmanager -r sourceDisk.vmdk -t 1 targetDisk.vmdk
   
   where:
   • -r refers to the source disk
   • -t refers to the target disk
   • 1 refers to the virtual disk type
      
   Example:
   
   vmware-vdiskmanager –r /Users/test/Documents/Virtual Machines/winxp.vmdk –t 1 /Users/test/Documents/Virtual Machines/winxp2.vmdk
   
   This creates winxp2.vmdk, however the virtual machine still points the winxp.vmdk.
    
5. Point to the newly created vmdk file by editing the .vmx file.

To recognize a converted virtual disk in a virtual machine:
 

1. Power off the virtual machine.
2. Browse to the vmname.vmx file.
3. Open the file in text editor.
4. Modify the following parameter per the configuration of your virtual machine:
    
   • If your virtual disk is created as IDE:
     
     Current Entry
     ide0:0.fileName = "vmname.vmdk"
     
     New Entry
     ide0:0.fileName = "<vmname>2.vmdk"
      
   • If your virtual disk is created as SCSI:
     
     Current Entry
     scsi0:0.fileName = "<vmname>.vmdk"
     
     
     New Entry
     scsi0:0.fileName = "<vmname>2.vmdk"
     
     Where vmname is the name of your virtual machine.
      
5. Save and close the .vmx file.
6. Power on the virtual machine.