User`s guide

NTFS file system
The correct, redundant use of new technology file system.
open virtual appliance (OVA)
A packaging format for virtual machines that allows virtual machine templates to be distributed,
customized, and instantiated on any OVA supporting VMM.
Open Virtualization Format (OVF)
A distribution format for virtual appliances that uses existing packaging tools to combine one or more
virtual machines with a standards-based XML wrapper. OVF gives the virtualization platform a portable
package containing all required installation and configuration parameters for virtual machines. This
format allows any virtualization platform that implements the standard to correctly install and run virtual
machines.
package
An installable bundle for distribution to end users. The package might include one or more virtual
machines and an application used to run virtual machines.
page file
A component of an operating system that provides virtual memory for the system. Recently used pages
of memory are swapped out to this area on the disk to make room in physical memory (RAM) for newer
memory pages. Also called a “swap file.” See also virtual memory.
parent
(1) The source virtual machine from which you take a snapshot or make a clone. If you delete the parent
virtual machine, any snapshot becomes permanently disabled. (2) In a VMware Infrastructure inventory,
the managed entity that immediately encloses a given entity (considered the child entity). See also full
clone, linked clone, snapshot, template.
physical CPU
A single physical CPU in a physical machine.
physical disk
In hosted products, a hard disk in a virtual machine that is mapped to a physical disk drive or partition
on the host machine. A virtual machine’s disk can be stored as a file on the host file system or on a local
hard disk. When a virtual machine is configured to use a physical disk, vCenter directly accesses the local
disk or partition as a raw device (not as a file on a file system). See also virtual disk.
physical network
A network of physical machines (plus cabling, switches, routers, and so on) that are connected so that they
can send data to and receive data from each other. See also virtual network.
preallocated disk
A type of virtual disk in which all disk space for the virtual machine is allocated at the time the disk is
created. This disk is the default type of virtual disk created by GSX Server.
privilege
Authorization to perform a specific action or set of actions on a managed object or group of managed
objects.
provisioning
The process of creating a functioning virtual machine by assigning resources such as CPU, memory, and
virtual hardware and then deploying a system image.
raw disk
See physical disk.
remote cloning
Making a copy of a virtual machine or a physical machine accessed over the network by VMware vCenter
Converter. See also local cloning.
Glossary
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