SSD use for Virtual Machine(s)

jimbo45 · 10 Nov 2010

Hi all
One should not DEFRAG SSD's.

However if one uses Virtual Machines quite a lot with data updates / changes then a Virtual Hard drive usually needs to be de-fragmented due to the way the Virtual I/O is mapped to the "Real File system" on the host machine.

Since defragmenting SSD's is NOT at all recommended does this imply that one should NOT use SSD's for Virtual Machines or Virtual Hard disks.

I've googled around but can't seem to find any refrences on this particular topic.

Using an SSD for a HOST OS is fine since the OS itself doesn't change much but a Virtual Machine is a different matter.

Cheers
jimbo

Wishmaster · 10 Nov 2010

Actually you can defrag a SSD, and it does indeed help improve performance, because of compressing free space.

However:
It should not or does not need to be done often.
Also, defragmenters like the built in Win7 one can cause more harm than good.

Defragmenters like PerfectDisc, with the Consolodate option is perfectly safe for a SSD.
Although it states its defragmenting, all it is actually doing is compressing free space, which is fine.

Theres also DiskKeeper, but it requires an additional add-on called Hyperfast.
(I know little about this other than it supposedly works very well for SSDs and in much the same manner)

Obviously you wouldn't want to run it daily, but on occasion does help, and is fine.

Im only aware of these 2 that are safe to use w/SSDs. More so with PD11.

Sadly, I am not all that familiar with VMs.
But, would it possibly help to consolodate the system files, then set up your VM?

Sorry not much help.

pparks1 · 10 Nov 2010

I dont use my SSD for my virtual machines...as my VM's are numerous and large and there simply isn't enough space on my SSD to justify using it for the cost.

jimbo45 · 10 Nov 2010

Hi there
I tend to run smaller VM's but with specialized data collecting / measuring equipment devices attached -- these devices don't have any new drivers so I need things like XP and W2000. The actual size of the VM can easily fit on to an SSD -- but I am changing data a LOT. (often 25 GB is sufficient for OS and data)

Perhaps I could create the Guest OS on the SSD and define a 2nd data disk on an ordinary HDD.

I really DO like the huge performance boost you get with SSD's.

Cheers
jimbo