Cloning a virtual machine disk via ESXi host

Cloning a virtual machine disk without delta files or snapshots

To clone a virtual machine disk using the ESX/ESXi host terminal:

1. Log into the terminal of the ESX/ESXi host.
2. Navigate to the virtual machine’s directory using the cd command. It is located at:

   /vmfs/volumes/source_datastore/virtual_machine/

3. Confirm the destination directory where the clone will be copied to. Create this directory, if required.

   For example, if this destination directory does not exist:

   /vmfs/volumes/destination_datastore/virtual_machine/

   Create the directory using this command:

   mkdir /vmfs/volumes/destination_datastore/virtual_machine/
   
   

4. Clone the virtual hard disk using the vmkfstools -i command after shutting down the virtual machine:
   
   # vmkfstools -i /vmfs/volumes/Storage1/examplevm/examplevm.vmdk /vmfs/volumes/Storage2/examplevm_clone.vmdk
   The output appears similar to:

   Destination disk format: VMFS thick
   Cloning disk ‘/vmfs/volumes/Storage1 (3)/examplevm/examplevm.vmdk’…
   Clone: 100% done.

   Notes:

   • Encapsulate objects with quotes where appropriate to ensure spaces and other special characters are interpreted correctly.
   • By default, the vmkfstools -i command will create a destination thick provisioned disk. If you would like the destination disk to be thin provisioned, add -d thin to the end of the above command.

     Example:

     # vmkfstools -i /vmfs/volumes/Storage1/examplevm/examplevm.vmdk /vmfs/volumes/Storage2/examplevm_clone.vmdk -d thin

Cloning a virtual machine disk with delta files or snapshots

To clone a virtual machine disk using the ESX/ESXi host terminal:

1. Log into the ESX/ESXi host’s terminal.
2. Navigate to the virtual machine’s directory using the cd command. It is located at:

   /vmfs/volumes/source_datastore/virtual_machine/

3. Confirm the destination directory where the clone will be copied to. Create this directory, if required.
   For example, if this destination directory does not exist:

   /vmfs/volumes/destination_datastore/virtual_machine/Create the directory using this command:

   mkdir /vmfs/volumes/destination_datastore/virtual_machine/
   
   

4. Clone the virtual hard disk from its current snapshot delta point using the vmkfstools -i command.
   
   # vmkfstools -i /vmfs/volumes/Storage1/examplevm/examplevm-000003.vmdk /vmfs/volumes/Storage2/examplevm_clone.vmdk

   The output appears similar to:

   Destination disk format: VMFS thick
   Cloning disk ‘/vmfs/volumes/Storage1 (3)/examplevm/examplevm-000003.vmdk’…
   Clone: 100% done.

   Note: If the process fails, try selecting the next snapshot delta point in the snapshot tree. The selected point or one of its parents may be corrupt.