Simple definition
A VMware snapshot chain links base disks and successive delta disks; long chains can affect performance and consolidation.
Purpose and use
A snapshot chain connects current virtual-disk state with parent disks and successive changes.
How does it work?
Reading a block can depend on several levels; supported consolidation operations integrate changes as required.
Example and verification
Monitor snapshot count, free capacity and consolidation alerts during backup operations.
Points to watch
A missing or manually deleted file can break dependencies. The chain is not a backup independent of the original disks.
In short
Maintain chain consistency through platform management tools rather than arbitrary file removal.