From http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=6821743&sliceId=1&docTypeID=DT_KB_1_1&dialogID=71326048&stateId=1%200%2071322858
Details
This article provides steps for renaming the virtual machine disk file.
Solution
To rename the virtual machine disk file (.vmdk file):
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Log in to the VMware Infrastructure (VI) Client.
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Click VM > Edit Settings > Remove the disk from the virtual machine.
Notes:
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Do not select Remove from the virtual machine and delete files from the disk.
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To remove the primary disk (containing the guest OS) you must power off the virtual machine.
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Connect to the ESX host using SSH and run the following command: #vmkfstools -E <source> <target>
Where <source> is the name of the virtual disk to rename and <target> is the name you want the virtual disk to have.
Note: Ensure to include the extension . vmdk. If you are not in the same directory as the file you are renaming, include the full path to the files. If the file name includes a space, you may need to use double quotes around the name to ensure you capture the full name. -
After renaming the virtual disk, log in to the VI Client.
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Click VM > Edit Settings > Add Hard Disk.
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Choose Use an existing virtual disk.
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Browse to the datastore and point to the renamed disk. Finish adding the virtual disk.
This entry was posted on Sunday, March 28th, 2010 and is filed under VMWare. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.