Proxmox Templates Deletion

[Beginer]

Hello,

In Proxmox version 3.1, I have created VMs using backups of old Proxmox server. I had created backups in that old server using vzdump as .tar.gz file and in this new server used the tar.gz backup file as a template. The VMs in new server got created fine and it is now working properly. I am also now taking backups in new server manually because even though I scheduled backup in new server through Proxmox UI window, the backup is not happening and there is no error message too mentioned in tasks list of Proxmox UI. Not sure what could be the problem and why the backup is not happening.

Another query is that I am now planning to remove the 8 templates i.e. backup files of old server which I used to create 8 VMs in new server. I wanted to know can we delete those templates from the local folder in /var/lib/vz. Or will these templates be required for functioning of the new VMs? Please assist me in solving these backup and template queries. Thank you.

With Regards,
Newbie

 

[Raymond Burns]

If you are really a newbie like me, it is safest to remove the backups within the GUI. Click on your storage location and click the backup you would like to remove from the Content tab. Clicking remove should do the trick. ONLY on the backups though. Not the images. The images are what is necessary for your VMs to run. Someone more knowledgeable should be chiming in pretty soon.

You can also get to this from the backups tab when you cllick on any VM

 

[wahmed]

Hello,
Another query is that I am now planning to remove the 8 templates i.e. backup files of old server which I used to create 8 VMs in new server. I wanted to know can we delete those templates from the local folder in /var/lib/vz. Or will these templates be required for functioning of the new VMs? Please assist me in solving these backup and template queries. Thank you.

Backup files never needed for new VMs which was created using restore option. I assume you have restored 8 VMs individually. A scenario you are talking about where the base template is a must have for created VMs to proper function is when you clone with "Linked Clone" option where the base template must exist for all Linked Clone VMs to function. So you are good deleting those templates.
You can also delete backup files manually from vz folder as they are just files and not connected with anything.
Again this only applies if by template you really mean Backup files which were created through Backup option.

 

[Raymond Burns]

Where is the Linked Clone option? I cannot find that anywhere.

 

[wahmed]

Where is the Linked Clone option? I cannot find that anywhere.

Cloning options only shows up when you are trying to Clone from a Template. When you try to Clone a VM it only shows Full Clone under Mode. The reason is for a Linked Clone to work, the base VM/Template must not be running.

Right click a VM > Select Convert to Template. Then Right Click Template > Clone and you will see Linked Clone under Mode. As you already probably know, do not convert a VM which you will need right now. Because the VM itself will be converted to template and you cannot run a template.

 

[Beginer]

Thank you, Symmcom. Yes, I really mean backup files created through vzdump backup option in my previous server; and then I copied those backup files which were in .tar.gz format to new server's template location. I had restored 8 VMs individually using each of the 8 backup files, I had saved in templates location. I had never used linked clone function. I believe I can safely remove those 8 backup files from the templates directory, they are taking 21GB space.

 

[Raymond Burns]

If you have already restored the VM's, and you don't need a base to return to, then you can remove the BACKUPS. Calling them templates is what is confusing (I think).