Compact virtual disk while running

[grp]

Hello all,

I use ESXi 5.1 with an external storage array (HP P2000 G3). One of the guests has grown very much. It was created with an 1TB thin-provisioned disk. At the moment the actual data is about 300GB, but the data occupied (according to the Backup software exceed 700gb). As expected, this results in slower full backup time. I was wondering if I can compact the disk without shutting down the guest. Any help would be great.

Thank you

[marcelo_soares]

At this point of time, this is not possible. Your backup is VM based or agent based inside the OS?

[grp]

It is VM based (using Veeam BR). What about compacting it with the guest stopped? I may be able to do it occasionally. I suppose it is done via the CLI, so any guidance or resource would be great. I would just wish the command had the ability to produce verbose output, ie. watching the progress of compacting.

Thanks very much.

[grp]

Anyone?

[lvaibhavt]

Did you check what is consuming the disk ?