VMware vSphere

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  • 1.  folder with nvram file in it

    Posted May 30, 2018 08:15 PM

    i got a vm folder in a datrastore with on;ly a nvram file in it. safe to delete?



  • 2.  RE: folder with nvram file in it

    Posted May 30, 2018 09:23 PM

    nvram-files are used to store the settings of the virtual BIOS.
    You can delete it without problems - if the file is missing it will be recreated during next start.



  • 3.  RE: folder with nvram file in it

    Posted May 30, 2018 10:31 PM

    Gonna have to slightly disagree with @continuum on this one.

    Yes, it is safe to delete if the nvram is a virtual BIOS but not so safe to delete if the nvram stores a virtual EFI/UEFI.



  • 4.  RE: folder with nvram file in it

    Posted May 30, 2018 11:12 PM

    Right - it may be inconvenient to reconfigure an EFI-firmware.
    Possible guideline:
    if the nvram has a size of 8 - 10 kb it is used for a BIOS-firmware = easy to reproduce if necessary
    If ihe nvram has a site of about 70kb it is used for an EFI-firmware = take care and check if any existing VM still uses the file.



  • 5.  RE: folder with nvram file in it

    Posted May 31, 2018 05:40 PM

    Also beware that if your VM is encrypted, the nvram will hold the private key for the encryption so if you delete it for a encrypted vm, all you now have for that VM is bit salad.

    edit: here's the article with details about it, I got it almost correct, it's usage of a vTPM within the VM: vSphere 6.7 - Virtual Trusted Platform Modules - VMware vSphere Blog

    The vmx file holds the vm level encryption key

    --

    Wil