Vmware Server 2 - Sharing one disk image?

[FN-GM]

Hi

 

I am using VMware server 2. I wan't to store my backups onto a Disk image. Can all my servers share the same .vmdk file? or would i have to make a seperate one for each server?

 

Thanks

[tmcd35]

Would they be accessing the .vmdk at the same time? If so, no the file will be locked by the first VM that mounts it. If you are looking to only mount the disk to a VM when you want to back-up/restore, then yes they can all access the same .vmdk - one at a time. I think you may have to power down the VM to attach a hard drive though?

 

I know the M$ .vhd format, and M$ Virtual Server 2, allows live adding of Hard Disks and can share 1 .vhd with multiple VM's. Each VM will right their individual changes to their own 'differences' file.

[JJonas]

Is it possible to share one Vmware image with multiple users so they can all access it at the same time? Edited February 10, 2009 by JJonas

[tmcd35]

Is it possible to share one Vmware image with multiple users so they can all acess it at the same time?

 

Again, no, the .VMDK will be locked by the first VM that boot's with it attached.

 

I've just read up on a feature called 'Linked Clones' that is available at extra cost with ESX3.5

 

VMware Communities: Single VMDK for multiple VM's in esx3.5? ...

 

see last reply.

[FN-GM]

Thanks for the reply, i wanted to use it all at once. Looks like i will have to make multiple copies.

 

Z