VMWare Server - Increase Disk space
Hello people,
I have a strange issue wich i need to get resolved as soon as possible.
I recently have taken over a network from an other company and the first thing i need to do is to increase the disk space of a virtual machine.
They have a ML350 server with Windows 2008 WEB or Standard installed on it. On this server the VMWare Server application is installed and there are 2 virtual machines available.
1 virtual machine, the SBS 2008, is running on low disk space.
So i powered down the machine, in the 2nd window i select the drive and choose EDIT.
Then i increase the space of 100GB. Everything looked fine, but the application becomes unresponsive. When i close the internet explorer and try to open it, the login screens appears and after the login the VMware sever keeps hanging on Loading.
In the mean while i see the Disk space where the virtual machine files are saved decreasing.
Checked it with the command promopt with the command DIR.
It keeps decreasing for a very very long time, so long i thought this is going bad and rebooted the system.
VMware server / internet explorer can login again and i see the virtual machines running.
The weird part is the disk where the files are stored has used up the additional 100 GB, BUT!!! the disk is still the same size.
Anyone any idea why the disk is still the same in VMWare server and where has the free space went?
Treesize, Dir or Windows Explorer can't find the files wich where increased. Hidden files and secure hidden files are turned on, even then i can't find the files.
I have a strange issue wich i need to get resolved as soon as possible.
I recently have taken over a network from an other company and the first thing i need to do is to increase the disk space of a virtual machine.
They have a ML350 server with Windows 2008 WEB or Standard installed on it. On this server the VMWare Server application is installed and there are 2 virtual machines available.
1 virtual machine, the SBS 2008, is running on low disk space.
So i powered down the machine, in the 2nd window i select the drive and choose EDIT.
Then i increase the space of 100GB. Everything looked fine, but the application becomes unresponsive. When i close the internet explorer and try to open it, the login screens appears and after the login the VMware sever keeps hanging on Loading.
In the mean while i see the Disk space where the virtual machine files are saved decreasing.
Checked it with the command promopt with the command DIR.
It keeps decreasing for a very very long time, so long i thought this is going bad and rebooted the system.
VMware server / internet explorer can login again and i see the virtual machines running.
The weird part is the disk where the files are stored has used up the additional 100 GB, BUT!!! the disk is still the same size.
Anyone any idea why the disk is still the same in VMWare server and where has the free space went?
Treesize, Dir or Windows Explorer can't find the files wich where increased. Hidden files and secure hidden files are turned on, even then i can't find the files.
Matthias Abt
Chose allocate Disk Space now and the dis will grow up to 100 GB. Be sure there is realy enough space ;-)
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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I don't know if it helps but there's a checkbox in the virtual disk extention wizard that says "allocate now"
ASKER
Ok, but i think the disk is created now, but not yet allocated. I do not have 100 GB free of diskspace anymore.
So should i check the checkbox "allocate now" and the space will become available? Or does it need a 100 GB of free disk space AGAIN ! ?
So should i check the checkbox "allocate now" and the space will become available? Or does it need a 100 GB of free disk space AGAIN ! ?
allocate now does not extend the partition in the VM, after that all you must extend the partition in the VM seperatly with a partition manager
When you have about 80 GB of free space on the host and you extends a existing virtual drive more then 80 GB, there will be no nice result. The Host runs out of space.
ASKER
I had abuot 200 GB of free space available. I increased the size in VMware Server and edited the disk of the virtual machine, then i upgraded it with 100 GB.
Waited for about 2,5hours, but the application bevomes unresponsive.
So after waiting for a very very long time, i rebooted the machine, everything booted fine, but the disk in VMware server is still 225 GB instead of 325 GB. But the diskspace in my Windows 2008 server has been decreased to 100 Gb or less.
So Vmware server did SOMETHING, but what i do not know. Hopefully the allocate checkmark does some wonders.
I can execute this task in about 1 hour, so i will keep you people updated.
Waited for about 2,5hours, but the application bevomes unresponsive.
So after waiting for a very very long time, i rebooted the machine, everything booted fine, but the disk in VMware server is still 225 GB instead of 325 GB. But the diskspace in my Windows 2008 server has been decreased to 100 Gb or less.
So Vmware server did SOMETHING, but what i do not know. Hopefully the allocate checkmark does some wonders.
I can execute this task in about 1 hour, so i will keep you people updated.
"RemcoVi", please see my VMware KB. That will explain it better for you :)
~coolsport00
~coolsport00
if vmware reports the drive as 325 but windows reports 225, you probably need to start looking in the windows disk management console. switch the view from logical to physical. If the drive shows there as 325 then you just need to expand using windows disk management. switch back to logical view, right click the drive letter and choose expand. I do this all on my 2003 servers differently, using the diskpart command line. in 2003 you can't expand the c: drive, you have to shut down the vm, mount its disk as a 2nd drive on another vm then run diskpart there.
some filesystems won't ever report the vmdk file size as the actual size.
some filesystems won't ever report the vmdk file size as the actual size.
Download GParted Live CD
http://gparted.sourceforge.net/download.php
burn it or mount it in the CD drive and expand the partition
that's it
http://gparted.sourceforge.net/download.php
burn it or mount it in the CD drive and expand the partition
that's it
ASKER
VMware Server indicates the harddrive is 225
Windows Server indicates the harddrive is 225
The Windows Server where the VMware virtual machine files are saved is saying that it used 100 Gb for something.
Funny part is the 100 GB Dissapeared, but wasn't added to VMware server in the web access console or is even visiable in Windows environment.
Windows Server indicates the harddrive is 225
The Windows Server where the VMware virtual machine files are saved is saying that it used 100 Gb for something.
Funny part is the 100 GB Dissapeared, but wasn't added to VMware server in the web access console or is even visiable in Windows environment.
ASKER
I found the file wich is increased by 100 GB.
filename.vmdk.dfgshkgrw-tm
This one is in Windows 41.728 kB
But when you look at the properties of the file, you can see it is 146 GB.
So i think their is the problem.
Can i delete the file and try to increase the size again without any consequences?
filename.vmdk.dfgshkgrw-tm
This one is in Windows 41.728 kB
But when you look at the properties of the file, you can see it is 146 GB.
So i think their is the problem.
Can i delete the file and try to increase the size again without any consequences?
Is the file in your VM folder/directory? You have 2 options...use the VMware KB on how to properly increase the size of your disk, or (and in my opinion, the easiest to do) use the vCenter Converter tool.
Regards,
~coolsport00
Regards,
~coolsport00
ASKER
I innitiatly executed the following, wich is also mentioned in your KB:
For Workstation 7, you can increase the virtual disk from the GUI:
1.Select the virtual machine from the Inventory.
2.Click Edit Virtual Machine Settings.
3.Click Hard Disk.
4.Click Utilities > Expand, enter the new size, then click Expand.
5.Follow the steps in Increasing the size of a disk partition (1004071) so the guest operating system is aware of the change in disk size. For Workstation 7, you can increase the virtual disk from the GUI:
1.Select the virtual machine from the Inventory.
2.Click Edit Virtual Machine Settings.
3.Click Hard Disk.
4.Click Utilities > Expand, enter the new size, then click Expand.
5.Follow the steps in Increasing the size of a disk partition (1004071) so the guest operating system is aware of the change in disk size.
But in this proces went something wrong i think.
But what now, there is a .......-tmp fiile wich sayd by windows says is 41 MB while the properties of the file is saying 146 GB.
For Workstation 7, you can increase the virtual disk from the GUI:
1.Select the virtual machine from the Inventory.
2.Click Edit Virtual Machine Settings.
3.Click Hard Disk.
4.Click Utilities > Expand, enter the new size, then click Expand.
5.Follow the steps in Increasing the size of a disk partition (1004071) so the guest operating system is aware of the change in disk size. For Workstation 7, you can increase the virtual disk from the GUI:
1.Select the virtual machine from the Inventory.
2.Click Edit Virtual Machine Settings.
3.Click Hard Disk.
4.Click Utilities > Expand, enter the new size, then click Expand.
5.Follow the steps in Increasing the size of a disk partition (1004071) so the guest operating system is aware of the change in disk size.
But in this proces went something wrong i think.
But what now, there is a .......-tmp fiile wich sayd by windows says is 41 MB while the properties of the file is saying 146 GB.
Did you go through the steps outlined in the 2nd KB? You have to follow those steps as well. Since the VM disk you expanded is on a W2K8 OS, you can go into Disk Mgmt in W2K8, right-click on the volume you expanded and select 'Expand' (this is the 2nd KB from the 1st one I posted: http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1004071).
Try doing that and let me know. Otherwise, what I recommend doing is using converter. It will take care of it all for you. The time it has taken to do all these posts/comments, you could've had an expanded virtual disk with Converter by now. :)
Let me know if you have further questions...I'll try to help.
~coolsport00
Try doing that and let me know. Otherwise, what I recommend doing is using converter. It will take care of it all for you. The time it has taken to do all these posts/comments, you could've had an expanded virtual disk with Converter by now. :)
Let me know if you have further questions...I'll try to help.
~coolsport00
ASKER
Like i said, in Windows their is nothing added and for that reason i can't expand anything.
My VMware web access page tells me the disk is still the OLD size of 225 GB.
But the fysical disk on the server where VMware server is installed on, shows a decrease of diskspace.
So the steps i did, did do something, but not adding the free space to the virtual disk.
There for i was looking where the 100 GB has left, and this is put in a TMP file.
My VMware web access page tells me the disk is still the OLD size of 225 GB.
But the fysical disk on the server where VMware server is installed on, shows a decrease of diskspace.
So the steps i did, did do something, but not adding the free space to the virtual disk.
There for i was looking where the 100 GB has left, and this is put in a TMP file.
I understand there's nothing 'added'...I don't believe you will see a new disk. You right-click on the current disk you expanded and select 'Expand'. Is that option not there?
The only other suggestion I have is to do a conversion 'RemcoVi'.
~coolsport00
The only other suggestion I have is to do a conversion 'RemcoVi'.
~coolsport00
the expand function of VmWare Server does only allocate the new free space on the hdd of the host. Normally the vmm file grows only if the Space win the vm filled with data.
Have you tried GParted ?
Have you tried GParted ?
ASKER
True, but the VMware Webaccess should indicate a 325 GB disk, but it's still 225.
try to add 1GB more to the VM and wait until the procedure is completed. Even if it takes a long time do not interupt the process. Maybe the 2,5 hours you waited before was not enough
ASKER
i tried adding 10 GB to the disk and i waited for 1 hour.
You can see the file %name%.vmdk.dfgshkgrw-tmp growing and growing even way over the 10 GB.
So something is going wrong here. I am still working on it and i am trying the solution of coolsport00 with the VMware converter, unless i find an other option.
You can see the file %name%.vmdk.dfgshkgrw-tmp growing and growing even way over the 10 GB.
So something is going wrong here. I am still working on it and i am trying the solution of coolsport00 with the VMware converter, unless i find an other option.
ASKER
Hmmmmmm..... i downloaded the VMware Converter Standalone.
Choosing the following:
Convert Machine
Powered-on machine
This local machine and click on next
Select destination type -> VMware Workstation or other VMware virtual machine
Select VMware product -> WMware Server 2.x
Name: Hostname of current computer hosting VMware Server 2.x
Choose a location for the virtual machine -> same location as the excisting virtual machine
click on Next
The information wich i see in the window doesn't match the info of the machine.
For an example:
Data to copy -. <C:> 60.1 GB while the disk is 225 GB
Or i am doing something wrong or this way won't work either.
Choosing the following:
Convert Machine
Powered-on machine
This local machine and click on next
Select destination type -> VMware Workstation or other VMware virtual machine
Select VMware product -> WMware Server 2.x
Name: Hostname of current computer hosting VMware Server 2.x
Choose a location for the virtual machine -> same location as the excisting virtual machine
click on Next
The information wich i see in the window doesn't match the info of the machine.
For an example:
Data to copy -. <C:> 60.1 GB while the disk is 225 GB
Or i am doing something wrong or this way won't work either.
No...it's 'seeing' what only is there/allocated already. Configure it with whatever size you think it is and try it.
~coolsport00
~coolsport00
ASKER
The file what is there is on my host already a file of 235 GB.
The disk space in the virtual machine is using 95% of this size.
The number 60.1 GB doesn't match anything. I do not know where he finds this number.
And he is telling me that the processors wich are configured on 4 currently, can't be 4 and should be 2.
So in fact i am downgrading my machine, wich i don't want, i only want to increase the size.
I almost am at a point to make a acronis full backup inside the virtual machine, delete the entire machine and put the back-up back in the new virtual machine, because this is hilarious how tough this is.
The disk space in the virtual machine is using 95% of this size.
The number 60.1 GB doesn't match anything. I do not know where he finds this number.
And he is telling me that the processors wich are configured on 4 currently, can't be 4 and should be 2.
So in fact i am downgrading my machine, wich i don't want, i only want to increase the size.
I almost am at a point to make a acronis full backup inside the virtual machine, delete the entire machine and put the back-up back in the new virtual machine, because this is hilarious how tough this is.
ASKER
Second i tried the command line, but i receive a weird error also:
C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Server>vmware-vdiskmanager
Failed to expand the disk 'E:\Virtual machines\SBS\wemmi.vmdk': One of the parameters supplied is invalid (0x100003e80).
And if i use the vmware-vdiskmanager.exe in the folder where the wemmi.vmdk file is, i receive an error with the message he can't find a .dll file.
C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Server>vmware-vdiskmanager
Failed to expand the disk 'E:\Virtual machines\SBS\wemmi.vmdk': One of the parameters supplied is invalid (0x100003e80).
And if i use the vmware-vdiskmanager.exe in the folder where the wemmi.vmdk file is, i receive an error with the message he can't find a .dll file.
ASKER
Finally!!!!!!! it has been solved.
VMWare converter is not an option, the software is terrible with the feedback.
What i have done is using the commandline vmware-vdiskmanager.exe.
Keep in mind for the people who are finding them in the same situation. Use FULL PATHS with this command.
Go to a command prompt and start typing from C:\Program Files\VMware\Server\vmware
You will see the progress of the growing part. Then in my case Gparted came across errors and messed up my NTFS system.
My Disk Management said it was 325 GB, while Windows Explorer said it was 225 GB. Luckily for me i had some unallocated space left and use Acronis Disk Directory to increase it once more and yes its working.
This is the solution and with the help of Coolsport00 it is working now.
VMWare converter is not an option, the software is terrible with the feedback.
What i have done is using the commandline vmware-vdiskmanager.exe.
Keep in mind for the people who are finding them in the same situation. Use FULL PATHS with this command.
Go to a command prompt and start typing from C:\Program Files\VMware\Server\vmware
You will see the progress of the growing part. Then in my case Gparted came across errors and messed up my NTFS system.
My Disk Management said it was 325 GB, while Windows Explorer said it was 225 GB. Luckily for me i had some unallocated space left and use Acronis Disk Directory to increase it once more and yes its working.
This is the solution and with the help of Coolsport00 it is working now.
ASKER
The info in this post was a helping hand to find the complete solution. See my last post to get the final solution.
Wow "RemcoVi"...what a mess huh? :) Sorry I haven't been able to respond back to your posts in time...I'm at EMC World conference in Boston. Glad it's resolved for you!
~coolsport00
~coolsport00