VMware GSX Server 2.5.2

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What's in a Virtual Machine on a Windows Host?

The virtual machine typically is stored on the host computer in a set of files, all of which are in a folder set aside for that particular virtual machine. In these examples, <vmname> is the name of your virtual machine. The key files are:

<vmname>.vmx — the configuration file, which stores settings chosen in the New Virtual Machine Wizard or Configuration Editor.
<vmname>.vmx.bak — the backup configuration file, which you can use if your original configuration file becomes corrupted or lost.
nvram — the file that stores the state of the virtual machine's BIOS.
<vmname>.vmdk — the virtual disk file, which stores the contents of the virtual machine's hard disk drive. A virtual disk comprises one or more .vmdk files. The larger the size of the virtual disk, the more .vmdk files. As data is added to a virtual disk, the .vmdk files grow in size, to a maximum of 2GB each. Almost all of a .vmdk file's content is the virtual machine's data, with a small portion allotted to virtual machine overhead. If the virtual disk is 2GB or larger, GSX Server creates multiple .vmdk files.

If the virtual machine contains plain disks, a type of virtual disk where all the space for the disk is allocated when you create it, there is no .vmdk file. Instead, a .pln file stores information about the virtual disk, and the actual virtual machine data is stored in a series of .dat files.
If the virtual machine is connected directly to a physical disk, rather than using a virtual disk, there is no .vmdk file. Instead, a .raw file stores information about the partitions the virtual machine is allowed to access.
Note: Earlier VMware products used the extension .dsk for virtual disk files.
vmware.log — the file that keeps a log of key GSX Server activity. This can be useful in troubleshooting if you encounter problems. This file is stored in the folder that holds the configuration (.vmx) file of the virtual machine.
<vmname>.vmdk.REDO — the redo-log file, created automatically when a virtual machine is used in undoable or nonpersistent mode. This file stores changes made to the virtual disk while the virtual machine is running. The redo-log file for a virtual disk in nonpersistent mode is stored in the temp directory of the user who created the virtual machine.
<vmname>.vmss — the suspended state file, which stores the state of a suspended virtual machine.

Note: Earlier VMware products used the extension .std for suspended state files.

There may be other files as well, some of which are present only while a virtual machine is running.

Permissions and Running Virtual Machines

As you create virtual machines, be aware that in order for other users to run a virtual machine you create, those users must have the same level of permissions as your user account. For example, if you are an administrator, only users with administrator privileges can see and connect to virtual machines you created. However, a user with administrator privileges can see and connect to virtual machines created by a non-administrator user.

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