In general, how does the host system store a virtual machine when it is not running?

In general, how does the host system store a virtual machine when it is not running?

• Host system virtual disk files
• Virtual Memory on the host system
• Firmware in the virtual machine
• Optical disc on the host system 

 

EXPLANATION

Virtual machines are stored as files inside the host machine.   

These are the files that make up a VM

VMX file – Configuration

VMXF file – Supplementational Configuration

VMDK Files – Disk related files, includes VMDK, -delta.vmdk, -rdm.vmds

VSWP File – Memory overflow (SWAP) file

VMSD File – Snapshot details

VMSS File – Memory contents of suspended VMVMSN File – Snapshot Files

NVRAM File – BIOS file

Log files

SOURCE

http://www.on-cloud9.com/2012/01/16/virtual_machine_files_explained/