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VMware Snapshots

A snapshot preserves the state and data of a virtual machine at a specific point in time. You can create a snapshot before upgrading or installing a patch.

The best time to take a snapshot is when no applications in the virtual machine are communicating with other computers. The potential for problems is greatest if the virtual machine is communicating with another computer. For example, if you take a snapshot while the virtual machine is downloading a file from a server on the network, the virtual machine continues downloading the file and communicating its progress to the server. If you revert to the snapshot, communications between the virtual machine and the server are confused and the file transfer fails.

cautionCAUTION

Snapshot operations can adversely affect service. Before performing a snapshot operation, you must stop the application that is running on the virtual machine or place the application out-of-service. When the snapshot operation is complete, start or bring the application back into service.

Snapshots can:

To prevent adverse behaviors, consider the following recommendations when using the Snapshot feature:

Related resources

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Best practices for virtual machine snapshots in the VMware environment Best Practices for virtual machine snapshots in the VMware environment
Understanding virtual machine snapshots in VMware ESXi and ESX Understanding virtual machine snapshots in VMware ESXi and ESX
Working with snapshots Working with snapshots
Configuring VMware vCenter Server to send alarms when virtual machines are running from snapshots Send alarms when virtual machines are running from snapshots
Consolidating snapshots in vSphere 5.x Consolidating snapshots in vSphere 5.x