While primarily associated with VMware, the flat format can be interacted with using other tools:
Oracle's VirtualBox can often read and write to VMDK files, making them a versatile choice for cross-platform lab environments. vmdk-flat
In summary, while the .vmdk file acts as the "map," the file is the "land" itself. Understanding this distinction is vital for any administrator managing virtual infrastructure or performing disaster recovery. vmdk descriptor for a flat file? Difference between .vmdk and -flat.vmdk | VMware vSphere While primarily associated with VMware, the flat format
Tools like qemu-img can convert raw disk images into various VMDK subformats, including monolithicFlat , which utilizes the flat extent format. vmdk descriptor for a flat file
$$ \textReclaimed Space = \textTotal Space - \textUsed Space $$
This is a "raw" binary file that represents the virtual hard drive's actual storage capacity. If you create a 40GB virtual disk, the -flat.vmdk file will be exactly 40GB in size (assuming a "thick provisioned" disk). It contains the actual operating system, applications, and files of the virtual machine. Why You Might Not See It
The Smart VMDK Optimizer is a tool designed to manage and optimize VMDK files, particularly those in the flat format. This feature aims to improve the performance and efficiency of virtual machines by streamlining their disk usage.