vCenter alarm at the Virtual Machine layer to alert if a VM is running on a snapshot to prevent the datastore running out of space.

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

Setting up an alarm to for when a VM is running on a snapshot of a particular size can be useful for vSphere administrators.

This preventative measure can alert the vSphere administrator(s) before a datastore runs out of space.

Environment

vCenter version 7.x and 8.x

Cause

VMs may consume all of the space on a datastore if snapshots are not consolidated in a timely manner.

Resolution

• Select the VM from the Inventory in vCenter and right click
• Choose 'Alarms'
• Choose 'New Alarm Definition'
• Give the alarm a Name 
• Choose a Description
• Accept the Default Target type as Virtual Machine and select 'Next.'
• Select a trigger as 'VM Snapshot Size'
• Select an operator as 'is above'
• Add a value in GigaBytes (GB)
• Select the Trigger from the alarm field to show a warning.
• Select other notification types as desired - some are listed below
  • Send email notifications
  • Send SNMP traps
  • Run Script
  • Choose from the list of options of how to be notified and select 'Next.'
• Click 'Next' to review the summary of the new alarm.
• Review settings, 'Enable' the alarm, and select 'Create.'