VirtualBox: Version 5.1.38_Ubuntu r122592
I have created snapshot (linked colne) from VM slacktemp.
That created VM slacktemp Clone.
See attached screenshot.
I installed some software on VM/Snapshot slacktemp Clone and now I want to merge it to VM slacktemp.
How can I do that?
For the moment, the workaound I found is to:
1. export slacktemp Clone to OVA
2. Remove VM slacktemp and its snapshot slacktemp Clone
3. Import OVA
Merge snapshot in Virtualbox ?
Merge snapshot in Virtualbox ?
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Last edited by czezz on 7. May 2020, 16:59, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Merge snapshot in Virtualbox ?
There is no such thing as a "merge". Snapshots are markers in time, you can't merge markers. If you no longer need a marker, just highlight it and delete it, but be sure not to pick "revert to" as that will lose all your work.
Re: Merge snapshot in Virtualbox ?
Too bad
I was hoping for similar functionality as virsh blockcommit
In that case "snapshot" name is misleading.
Anyway, there is a workaround with exporting to OVA. Thanks for reply.
I was hoping for similar functionality as virsh blockcommit
In that case "snapshot" name is misleading.
Anyway, there is a workaround with exporting to OVA. Thanks for reply.
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Re: Merge snapshot in Virtualbox ?
I think you missed my point. There is no "merge" because it isn't required. You don't need to concern yourself with what happens to the data when you no longer need it, just say "I no longer need it".
Re: Merge snapshot in Virtualbox ?
Either I missed your point OR we are talking here about 2 different concepts...
I want to merge/insert delta/insert diff from the snapshot to the system that the snapshot was taken from.
In other words I want the state of snapshot to become a state of the system that the snapshot was taken from.
With libvirt (kvm) I can do it with virsh blockcommit. I believe VMware snapshots work the same but I never tried it myself.
Does Virtualbox offer such functionality and if not, can u please better explain what do u mean in your previous post?
I want to merge/insert delta/insert diff from the snapshot to the system that the snapshot was taken from.
In other words I want the state of snapshot to become a state of the system that the snapshot was taken from.
With libvirt (kvm) I can do it with virsh blockcommit. I believe VMware snapshots work the same but I never tried it myself.
Does Virtualbox offer such functionality and if not, can u please better explain what do u mean in your previous post?
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Re: Merge snapshot in Virtualbox ?
Code: Select all
Delete a snapshot. This does not affect the state of the virtual machine, but only releases
the files on disk that Oracle VM VirtualBox used to store the snapshot data, thus freeing
disk space. To delete a snapshot, right-click on the snapshot name in the snapshots tree
and select Delete. Snapshots can be deleted even while a machine is running.
Hosts: Arch Linux, Windows 10;
Guests: Windows 10, Kali, Fedora/RHEL.
Guests: Windows 10, Kali, Fedora/RHEL.
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Re: Merge snapshot in Virtualbox ?
You have two guests. "slacktemp" and "slacktemp clone"
'slacktemp clone' is a linked clone of 'slacktemp'. This means that at the time you made the linked clone the state of 'slacktemp' was frozen, and the two guests each continued to build in "snapshots" based off the frozen state of 'slacktemp':
You have a few choices:
1. use inside-the-guest backup software to copy the data and programs added to 'slacktemp clone' over to 'slacktemp' (not a Virtualbox process)
2. Continue your OVA-exporting process
3. Instead of making a linked clone of 'slacktemp', make a full clone of 'slacktemp'. This full clone is a complete standalone guest. Delete the originals as needed.
'slacktemp clone' is a linked clone of 'slacktemp'. This means that at the time you made the linked clone the state of 'slacktemp' was frozen, and the two guests each continued to build in "snapshots" based off the frozen state of 'slacktemp':
make linked clone
v
slacktemp ----|-----------difference snapshot of slacktemp
|-----------difference snapshot of slacktemp clone
Virtualbox does not have a clean easy reliable way to move the 'difference snapshot' of data from 'slacktemp clone' to 'slacktemp'. (that I know of...)You have a few choices:
1. use inside-the-guest backup software to copy the data and programs added to 'slacktemp clone' over to 'slacktemp' (not a Virtualbox process)
2. Continue your OVA-exporting process
3. Instead of making a linked clone of 'slacktemp', make a full clone of 'slacktemp'. This full clone is a complete standalone guest. Delete the originals as needed.
Re: Merge snapshot in Virtualbox ?
Scott, thank you for this reply and explanation.
This should close this discussion with outcome that OVA (2) is a way to go/workaround (for me).
This should close this discussion with outcome that OVA (2) is a way to go/workaround (for me).