What is .dvsData

So you have noticed this folder on your datastore called .dvsData what is it?

This is a folder that stores information on a virtual machines connected port when connected to a virtual distributed switch.   Inside this folder is a subdirectory with the UUID of the distrubuted switch. Inside that folder are files that represent a port binding on the vDS switch (which is a specially configured hidden vSwitch).

You can find the vDS’s UUID via the following command:

esxcli network vswitch dvs vmware list

This will also give you a port ID which ties to the file name:

Name: vDS-01
 VDS ID: 14 5e 0d 50 af f5 6d 3a-30 ad 00 b0 f5 d7 cc ce
 Class: etherswitch
 Num Ports: 512
 Used Ports: 4
 Configured Ports: 512
 MTU: 1500
 CDP Status: listen
 Beacon Timeout: -1
 Uplinks: vmnic1
 VMware Branded: true
 DVPort:
 Client: vmnic1
 DVPortgroup ID: dvportgroup-53
 In Use: true
 Port ID: 2
Client:
 DVPortgroup ID: dvportgroup-53
 In Use: false
 Port ID: 3
Client:
 DVPortgroup ID: dvportgroup-55
 In Use: false
 Port ID: 132
Client: Win01-A.eth0
 DVPortgroup ID: dvportgroup-55
 In Use: true
 Port ID: 133
Client:
 DVPortgroup ID: dvportgroup-55
 In Use: false
 Port ID: 135
Client:
 DVPortgroup ID: dvportgroup-55
 In Use: false
 Port ID: 134