VMware

Virtual Disk Development Kit FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

 

1. What is the Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK)?

The VMware VDDK is an open API and SDK that enables customers and ISV/IHV partners to develop applications that create and access virtual disk storage. The VDDK enables partners (such as enterprise backup & recovery software vendors, anti-virus security vendors, and system management vendors) to extend their solutions to support virtualized IT environments and offer solutions for the virtualization market place.


2. Why is VMware releasing the Virtual Disk Development Kit?

Industry standards and open interfaces and APIs for virtualization increase the availability of complementary solutions, provide more choices to the customer, and increase interoperability of virtualized IT environments. This expands the virtualization market, which is good for VMware. The VDDK enables VMware to grow the virtualization market by enabling a new ecosystem of partners to build applications that create or access virtual disks.


3. What are some of the use-cases for virtual disk development Kit?

The VDDK provides easy access to virtual disk storage, enabling a wide range of use-cases for application vendors including:

  • Creation of virtual machine disk files to store backup of physical images
  • Read access to virtual disk, enabling off-line centralized anti-virus scanning of virtual machines
  • Write access to virtual disk, enabling off-line centralized patching of virtual machines
  • Read access to virtual disk, enabling off-line software package analysis of virtual machines

4. What is included in the Virtual Disk Development Kit?

The VDDK is a collection of C libraries and utilities, code samples, and documentation to help virtual disk storage. The kit includes:

  • The Virtual Disk library, a set of C function calls to manipulate VMDK files, the VMware virtual disk format
  • C++ code samples that may be compiled with either Visual Studio or the GNU C compiler
  • The Virtual Disk API Programming Guide, a PDF book introducing the Virtual Disk library
  • An online HTML reference for all function calls and error codes in the Virtual Disk API
  • The Virtual Disk Manager User's Guide, a PDF manual describing the vmware-vdiskmanager command
  • The VMware DiskMount User's Guide, a PDF manual describing the vmware-mount command

5. What VMware products are supported by Virtual Disk Development Kit?

The VDDK supports virtual disk format for VMware Virtual Infrastructure (ESX Server 3.0 or 3.5 and VirtualCenter 2.0 or 3.5), VMware Server, VMware Workstation, VMware Player, and VMware Fusion products.

When VDDK is embedded in a partner solution, VDDK licensing mandates the use of VI Foundation, Standard, or Enterprise products, not standalone ESX.


6. What are the operating environment requirements?

Windows and Linux 32-bit and 64-bit versions are supported.


7. How does the Virtual Disk Development Kit benefit ISV/IHV partners?

ISV/IHV partners can leverage VDDK support to lower development costs, shorten time to market, enter new virtualization markets, and increase interoperability with virtualized IT environments. The VDDK enables ISV/IHV partners to develop complementary applications that work effectively across multiple virtual disks from a central location.


8. Is the Virtual Disk Development Kit redistributable?

Yes. To qualify for VDDK redistribution, you must be in the VMware TAP program at Select level or above and sign a redistribution agreement. Contact your VMware alliance manager to request the VDDK redistribution agreement. Please tell us how you plan to use the VDDK, in what products you plan to redistribute it, your company name, and contact information.


9. How does it compare with other VMware products like VI API or VCB?

VI API is a Web Service and XML interface focused on management of virtual machines and ESX server configuration.

VCB offers command-line tools to integrate with backup products on SAN.

The VDDK is focused on efficient access and transfer of data on virtual disk storage. The VDDK can be used in conjunction with other APIs to offer a complete integrated solution for management of virtual infrastructure.


10. What are hosted disk and managed disk? Are both supported?

Hosted disk is virtual storage managed by a hosted product, such as Workstation, for a guest operating system. Managed disk is virtual storage managed by an ESX Server or VirtualCenter, contained within a VMFS volume. The VDDK supports both.


11. Does the Virtual Disk Development Kit support dynamic disks?

No. The vmware-mount program that is included in VDDK does not support dynamic disk on Windows XP or Windows Server 2003.


12. Does the Virtual Disk Development Kit support OVF format?

VDDK libraries do not contain support for OVF (Open Virtualization Format). However, vSphere software makes it easy to import and export OVF files, and alternatives are available for older VMware platforms as well. VMware Converter 3.0.3 and ESX/ESXi 3.5 support OVF conversion and import. See this Web page to learn about and download the standalone OVF Tool.


Last updated 26-Mar-2009 5:00 pm