
	virtual hard disk (VHD)


	Home > Virtual Desktop Definitions - Virtual hard disk (VHD)

SearchVirtualDesktop.com Definitions (Powered by WhatIs.com)

EMAIL THIS

LOOK UP TECH TERMS		Powered by:

Browse tech terms alphabetically:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

virtual hard disk (VHD)

Show me everything on Virtual desktop infrastructure and architecture

- What is virtual hard disk?

Virtual hard disk (VHD) is a disk image file format for storing the complete contents of a hard drive. The disk image, sometimes called a virtual machine, replicates an existing hard drive and includes all data and structural elements. It can be stored anywhere the physical host can access.

There are two main types of virtual hard disks: fixed-size and dynamically expanding. Both types have a maximum size value that specifies how large the disk will appear to virtual machines. However, fixed-size VHDs will automatically take up the specified amount of physical disk space on the host computer's file system, whereas dynamically expanding disks will allocate space only as needed.

Learn More About IT:
> Anil Desai explains more about VHD options.
> Wikipedia has an entry for virtual hard disk.

Learn more about Virtual desktop infrastructure and architecture

What's new with virtual desktop infrastructure?: VMware View is the virtual desktop brokering and provisioning system in vSphere. Get a basic understanding of the pros and cons of a VDI in part one of this series.
Choosing a vendor-neutral connection broker: Administrators looking for flexibility in multiple hypervisor VDI environments need to turn to vendors with neutral connection brokers
Desktop virtualization decision-making tips: Thinking about desktop virtualization? This podcast on desktop virtualization software and implementation decision-making tips can help you prepare.
Ten steps to a Windows Server 2003 virtual cluster configuration: Configure and test a Windows Server 2003 cluster on your desktop using virtualization technology with these ten easy steps.
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure FAQ: Learn about virtual desktop infrastructure, an emerging virtualization techonology for the enterprise. Brien Posey answers frequently asked questions.

LAST UPDATED:

08 Jul 2009

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.
Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com

FILE EXTENSION AND FILE FORMAT LIST
File Extension and File Format List:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

RELATED CONTENT

	Bare-metal client hypervisors are coming -- for real this time Even though client and server hypervisors are both classified as Type 1, they have different origins and needs. Learn why 2010 will be the year of...
	Citrix CEO: Transition to on-demand services won't be pretty Delivering IT services on demand will be the biggest, toughest and most painful transition of all, says Citrix's Mark Templeton.
	Dazzle brightens Citrix flexibility story Citrix self-service interface for XenDesktop is aimed at cutting help desk calls.

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS

Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary

checkpoint (SearchEnterpriseDesktop.com)
A checkpoint, in a virtualization context, is a snapshot of the state of a virtual machine. Like a restore point in Windows operating systems, a...

desktop virtualization (SearchVirtualDesktop.com)
Desktop virtualization is the use of virtual machines to let multiple network subscribers maintain individualized desktops on a single, centrally...

SEARCH

TechTarget provides technology professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective purchase decisions and managing their organizations' technology projects - with its network of technology-specific websites, events and online magazines.


TechTarget Corporate Web Site \| Media Kits \| Site Map All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2008 - 2009, TechTarget \| Read our Privacy Policy