So what's the difference between "Consolidate" and "Delete All"??
I think you may have misconception of the snapshot....
I would use Windows update + service pack installation as an example.
VM with MS svr 2003 running....you may want to install SP1, then test, then install the Windows updates, then test.
- snapshot 1 (sn1) : Win2003 without updates & SP
- Installation of Win2003 SP1 (with reboot etc)
- snapshot 2 (sn2) : Win 2003 SP1
- Install Windows updates on Win2003 SP1
- snapshot 3 (sn3) : Win 2003 SP1 with updates
- svr testing for 5 days (eg. install Acrobat reader, Microsoft office)
So u shd have 3 snapshots.....which all will "grow" as you test ur svr.
But ur VM will have 4 main file types (with regards to this context)
1. Base VM files (vmdk, vmx, VM's memory, swp files etc)
2. VM's snapshot file
3. VM's snapshot swp files (swap may not be correct name....but I cannot think of the proper name)
In logical terms....
- "sn1" is the base snapshot
- "sn2" is "sn1" + "data1"
- "sn3" is "sn1" + "data1" + data2"
- VM1 is sn1" + "data1" + data2" + un-named swap data
On the 5th day of testing....the VM will have files for
- "base VM", "sn1", " sn2", "sn3", "data1", data2" and un-named swap data that is generated during the 5 days testing.
Then by right "consolidation" will convert the un-name swap into "data3" so that
- "sn1" is the base snapshot + "data3"
- "sn2" is "sn1" + "data1" + "data3"
- "sn3" is "sn1" + "data1" + data2" + "data3"
- VM1 is sn1" + "data1" + data2" + "data3"
In a layman way....VMs with snapshot are VMs that have have been split into many files.
When you delete snapshots (please do not try delete all), what you are doing is to merge sn1" + "data1" + data2" + un-named swap data or "data3" into a VM.
Sorry....I forgot to add...please do not house or keep VMware snapshots for extended periods of time.
Snapshots are not backups. They might snap then u have yourself shot......cheers....