How to identify the VMware vmdk disk file backing a virtual machine

This document (7023453) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications

Situation

Identifying which vmdk disk file can be deleted from ESXi when removing the disk from a virtual machine.

Resolution

In order for ESXi to pass the UUID identifier to the virtual machine it is required to enable it by having disk.EnableUUID = "TRUE" set in the virtual machine .vmx file. Note that this setting will not be applied until the virtual machine is rebooted.

Once enabled the disk UUID can be obtained from the virtual machine by running the command:

# sg_vpd -p 0x80 /dev/sdX

Replace sdX with the relevant disk to be removed.

Once the UUID is known it is needed to identify the relevant vmdk disk by for example using the following command on the ESXi host:

# vmkfstools -J getuuid /vmfs/volumes/datastore/VM/vm.vmdk

Additional Information

For additional information please see the VMware online documentation.

Disclaimer

This Support Knowledgebase provides a valuable tool for SUSE customers and parties interested in our products and solutions to acquire information, ideas and learn from one another. Materials are provided for informational, personal or non-commercial use within your organization and are presented "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.

Document ID:7023453
Creation Date: 18-Oct-2018
Modified Date:03-Mar-2020
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications

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