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5 Replies Last post: Jun 29, 2009 1:46 PM by Jackobli
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Expanding array - Smart array E200i HP ML350 G5 - ESXi 3.5

Jun 28, 2009 6:12 PM

Click to view MattStibb's profile Novice MattStibb 3 posts since
Jan 12, 2009

We need to expand the Disk array on a HP ML350 G5 using the controller - E200i.

The server is ESXi 3.5.

Is there a procedure for expanding the array using the HP E200i and if so is there a procedure for expanding the ESXi data store to use the extra space.

TIA.

Matt

Reply Re: Expanding array - Smart array E200i HP ML350 G5 - ESXi 3.5 Jun 28, 2009 7:17 PM
Click to view MattStibb's profile Novice MattStibb 3 posts since
Jan 12, 2009

I can get past the Expanding array using the HP utility.

My Question is once the physical drive size is expanded, how can I increase the logical drive from ESXi??

Reply Re: Expanding array - Smart array E200i HP ML350 G5 - ESXi 3.5 Jun 29, 2009 3:49 AM
in response to: MattStibb
Click to view AndreTheGiant's profile Guru AndreTheGiant 5,643 posts since
Aug 28, 2008
My Question is once the physical drive size is expanded, how can I increase the logical drive from ESXi??

This could be a problem.
You need a free partition number (and usually you do not have it) and then you have to play with vmkfstools command (is not possible extent using VIC a VMFS volume with another partition on the same disk).

I suggest you to create a NEW virtual disk and then simple add an extent.
Or (best solution) do not use extent, and simple reinstall your system.

Remember to do a backup of your VMs before start extenting ;)

Andre
Reply Re: Expanding array - Smart array E200i HP ML350 G5 - ESXi 3.5 Jun 29, 2009 1:09 PM
in response to: AndreTheGiant
Click to view Jackobli's profile Master Jackobli 1,094 posts since
Aug 28, 2007
AndreTheGiant wrote:
Remember to do a backup of your VMs before start extenting ;)
I'd suggest him to backup even before expanding the array, really!
Reply Re: Expanding array - Smart array E200i HP ML350 G5 - ESXi 3.5 Jun 29, 2009 1:30 PM
in response to: Jackobli
Click to view MattStibb's profile Novice MattStibb 3 posts since
Jan 12, 2009

Thanks for the Replys!.

I have backed up VM's to a NAS; intime for shiny new ML350G6 to arrive; I will move VM's on to her expand the array and reinstall ESXi.

vshpere license should be here in a few days, are there any features in new product that would have helped in this scenario of expanding drives....?

Regards,

Matt

Reply Re: Expanding array - Smart array E200i HP ML350 G5 - ESXi 3.5 Jun 29, 2009 1:46 PM
in response to: MattStibb
Click to view Jackobli's profile Master Jackobli 1,094 posts since
Aug 28, 2007
MattStibb wrote:
vshpere license should be here in a few days, are there any features in new product that would have helped in this scenario of expanding drives....?
IMHO you need vCenter Server to use vStorage VMFS Volume Grow.
But first, you would need to hot add and reconfigure the LUN... not really with an E200i ;-)
Some people are going into NFS. As it can reside an a platform that does support growable filesystems and disk systems (Sun ZFS, NetApp filer, Linux and others). Also you don't got the «limitation» of a 2 TByte VMFS. (But perhaps other limations due to networking).
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