Deleting VMs and VMDKs

When you no longer need a VM, it is good practice to clean up the VM. This requires deleting the VM and removing LUN mapping and LUNs. Deleting LUNs frees up disk space on the storage system. Removing LUNs is important. If you delete VMs without removing LUNs, over time significant space will become unavailable on the secondary.

You can delete VMs by using either one of the following methods:

• The Delete VM/VMDK Wizard This is the standard method. This method deletes either an entire VM or selected VMDKs.

• The DeleteVM Utility

  Use this command-driven method to incorporate VM deletion in a script. This method deletes only an entire VM. It does not delete specific VMDKs.

For VMs created with Instant Virtualization or Instant Recovery, the Delete VM/VMDK Wizard or the DeleteVM utility delete associated LUN mapping and LUNs, freeing up disk space on the secondary volume.