VMSS File – What is .vmss file and how to open it?
VMSS File Extension
VMware Suspended State File – file format by VMware
VMware Suspended State File (VMSS) is a file extension developed by VMware. It is used to store the suspended state of a VMware virtual machine. When a virtual machine is suspended, the VMSS file is created to store the current state of the virtual machine, including the memory, CPU state, and other information.
Understanding VMSS Files
VMware Suspended State (VMSS) files encapsulate the state of a virtual machine (VM) upon suspension. By capturing the VM’s memory, processor, and device state, VMSS files enable the VM to be resumed at a later time, preserving its progress. This suspension mechanism differs from hibernation, where the VM’s state is stored on the host system’s physical disk. Instead, VMSS files provide a portable representation of the VM’s state, allowing it to be easily moved across different hosts.
The importance of VMSS files lies in their ability to minimize VM downtime. They allow administrators to quickly suspend VMs for maintenance or power interruptions without losing any data or progress. When the VM is resumed, it boots up almost instantly, eliminating the need for lengthy reboots. This makes VMSS files particularly valuable in production environments where minimizing downtime is critical. Moreover, VMSS files enable efficient VM migration between different hypervisors, as they can be easily imported and exported across different platforms.
Opening VMSS Files with VMware Products:
VMSS files can be opened using VMware products such as VMware Workstation and VMware ESXi. These software programs provide a virtual machine environment where users can create, run, and manage virtual machines. To open a VMSS file in VMware Workstation, go to File > Open and select the VMSS file. In VMware ESXi, connect to the ESXi host and locate the VMSS file in the datastore. Right-click on the VMSS file and select “Open”.
Converting VMSS Files to Other Formats:
VMSS files can be converted to other virtual machine formats, such as OVF (Open Virtualization Format) and VMX (VMware Virtual Machine). This allows for compatibility with other virtualization platforms and tools. To convert a VMSS file to OVF, use the “Export to OVF” option in VMware Workstation or VMware ESXi. For conversion to VMX, use the “Convert to VMX” option in VMware vCenter Converter. The converted files can then be used in other virtualization environments.
VMware Suspended State File (VMSS)
A VMware Suspended State File (VMSS) is a file that contains the saved state of a virtual machine (VM). VMSS files are used to suspend VMs, which is a process of saving the VM’s state so it can be resumed later. VMSS files are typically used to save the state of VMs that are running on physical hosts that are being taken down for maintenance or that are being moved to a new location. VMSS files can also be used to save the state of VMs that are running on virtual hosts that are being migrated to a new physical host.
Advantages of Using VMSS Files
There are several advantages to using VMSS files. First, VMSS files can help to improve the performance of VMs. When a VM is suspended, its state is saved to a file on the host system. This file can then be used to resume the VM later, without having to restart the VM from scratch. This can save a significant amount of time, especially for VMs that are large or that have a lot of data. Second, VMSS files can help to protect the data on VMs. When a VM is suspended, its state is saved to a file that is stored on the host system. This file can then be used to restore the VM if it is ever lost or damaged. This can help to protect the data on the VM from being lost or stolen.