checkpoint

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 checkpoint allows the administrator to return the virtual machine to a previous state.

Checkpoints are most commonly used to create backups before conducting updates. Should an update fail or cause problems, the administrator can return the virtual machine to its state prior to the update. The recover action is used to return the system to the checkpoint state.

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More resources from around the web: - Microsoft's Technet provides more information about virtual machine checkpoints.

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