NetApp Snapmirror and VMFS partitions

[RyanDCoates]

Hi All

I have a client with a peculiar problem that seems to be escaping me

He has a group of ESX boxes on one site, using NetApp storage, replicated via async SnapMirror to another site where there are another group of ESX systems

when the mirror is broken and the luns attached to the remote ESX boxes, the ESX box seems to detect that it's a VMFS partition but says it needs to reformat it

is this just a signature problem in esx? is there a way around it? I've got numerous configs like this in production working fine, i've just never been presented with this problem before

any help appreciated

[shinsterneck]

Hi,

Sounds like a resignature issue, but it should not have shown you the VMFS partition yet. (You may see it as an empty disk you can use for extends)

1. In the "Virtual Infrastructure Client" Client on a ESX Server

2. Then click on the "Configuration Tab"

3. In the navigator under the software section select "Advanced Options"

4. Select the LVM node

5. Change LVM.EnableResignature from 0 to 1 to enable resignature

6. Click on OK

7. The on the same configuration screen, under the "Hardware" section click on "Storage (SCSI, SAN and NFS).

8. Top right corner of that screen, click on "refresh"

Now you should see the snapmirrored volume. Make sure the on the the netapp storage snapmirror is "broken-off"(not mirrored).

regards

[dkfbp]

Just do what shinsterneck wrote. That is the correct answer. We have a netapp san running snapmirror as well and we experienced the same thing as you.

The resignature setting solved it.

Frank

[Carl_Mcnulty]

Hi,

I'm interested in your post with regards to resignaturing a LUN from a SnapMirror'd volume.

What effect does enabling the LVM.EnableResignature have on existing datastores that are running production VM's on an ESX host if I want to add another datastore from a SnapMirror'd volume?

Would I have to shutdown the Virtual Machines that are connected to these other datastores?

We are running ESX 3.5 Update 3 and Ontap 7.2.4P8 and the ESX hosts are connected via FC.

I look forward to your help

Best regards

Carl