Adding new hard drive to the Datastore in ESXi 4.1

[zzmaher]

Hi all ,

i had ESX 4.1 installed on Dell Server ,and i have 3 Virtual Machines on One Datastore .

I added a new 500 GB scsi Hard Disk to the server ,

and i need to add it to the datasore or create a new one ..

How can i see this new Hard drive ? and add it to the datastore ?

Waiting your assist .

regards

Abuzeid

Oracle Systems Engineer

[lvong]

Sorry, but you are in the wrong forum.  Best to ask in vSphere or VC community.

But to answer your questions, I assume you are referring the Dell build in SCSI controller.  In that case, go to the SCSI controller utility during boot, create a virtual disks of 500GB or multiple vdisk of various size (refer to Dell documenation for this).

Validate new disks:

1. Boot to ESXi, login and connect to the server.

2. Go to "Configuration" tab and select "Storage Adapters" in the navigation pane.

3. Usually internal SCSI controller is vmhba1, you should see the new disk(s). If not, then the previous step did not create the virtual disks.

(Option #1) Add to existing datastore:

1. Go to "Configuration" tab and select "Storage" in the navigation pane.

2. Righ click on the existing datastore name.  Click on "Properties".

3. Click on "Increase", select the new disks.

4. That should extend the size of existing datastore.  Please review the limation and pro/con of extending datastore.  Review vSphere documentation.

(Option #2) Create a new datastore:

1. Go to "Configuration" tab and select "Storage" in the navigation pane.

2. Click on "Add Storage" on the top right corner.

3. Follow the wizard to create a new datastore using the new disk(s).

[a_p_]

Discussion moved from vSphere Storage Appliance to VMware vSphere™ Storage

[zzmaher]

Hi ALL ,

Forst , Thanks lvong for your reply .

I couldnt see the new Hard drive when need to increase the datastore .

The SCSI controller  vmhba1  is CD-ROM

SCSI controller  vmhba0 is Raid Controller (950 GB) the Datastore1 (old) .

Can i see the New HD from SSH by root from command line?

I checked the Dell scsi manager and couldnt find any thing related to create or add virtual disk , just for RAID .

Please assist .

Abuzeid

[lvong]

http://www.thegeekstuff.com/2008/07/step-by-step-guide-to-configure-hardware-raid-on-dell-servers-wi...

Disclaimer: Please paid special attention to which drive you are using.   Don't remove or use incorrect drives or your data will be gone.  Refer to your server documentation for specific procedures.  The link above is a similar process that you have to perform before the OS (eg. ESXi) can access the disks.

Would help if you can provide hardware info:

Server Model/Type?

Add 500GB hard disk to on board controller or addon card (Make/Model)?

[zzmaher]

Hi

Thanks for your reply ..

your previos link was for Creating DELL raid ..

I do not need to add this HD to the RAID group ..

i just need to add this new HD to the existing ESX datastore or creating new one ..

Can i get assistance for this ?

How to find this new attached HD from vshere ? or how to check it from SSH command ..

Regards

[Lessi001]

Hello,

first of all - make a  Backup from your VMs...

If you only want to create a new datastore go to vCenter - select your ESX host - go to the "configuration tab", then select storage and klick "add Storage".

If you klick through the wizzard there should appear the space of the harddisk.

Regards

Andi

[zzmaher]

hello Andi ..

From creating new datastor , i couldnt find the new HD  !!!!

Add storage ....> LUN ...> i found nothing to select in this screen !!

How to check it from Vsphere ?

Thanks

Abuzeid

[a_p_]

I do not need to add this HD to the RAID group ..

i just need to add this new HD to the existing ESX datastore or creating new one ..

If I understand this correctly, you do have a RAID set and now you want to use the additional disk as a standalone disk!?

Since the disk is most likely attached to the RAID controller you need to present it to the OS (ESXI) through this RAID controller. To do this most RAID controllers have the option to configure a single disk as a JBOD (instead of creating a RAID set with multiple disks).

André

[zzmaher]

Hi André

I reboot the ESX server and go to dell configuration utility ..

i found that :

3 HD x 500 G  (as VM RAIDED in Virtual group )

1 HD x 500 G (the new one ) , i only has option to make it as ahot spare  .

So , i make it as hostpare and reboot ,,

But the same ,

i couldnt see the new harddisk from storage adapter , or when i create new storage as the same ...

NOTHING changes ..

Can any one help me in this case ?

how to check this new HD from ESX server itself from command line (SSH ) ?

can i add it manually ?

Please assist

Regards

Abuzeid

[mcowger]

Because you set the new drive as a hotspare, it is not allocated to the operating, so ESXi cant see it.

[lvong · Accepted solution]

Abuzeid,

This is all I can help you with.  This instructions are base on Perc 5/i Controller which I think you have on our system.  You did not specified the server so I just assume that it is so.

1. Undo the hot spare you just did.  Follow this link from Dell.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/storage/RAID/PERC5/en/UG/HTML/chapterh.htm#wp1061343

2. Follow the link to setup Virtual Disks - http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/storage/RAID/PERC5/en/UG/HTML/chapterh.htm#wp1069357

  This link has three sub steps,  skip the step on "Designate hot spares".
    a. Create the virtual disks and select the virtual disk options.   => steps to create another disk group and add the new disk to this disk group.
    b. Designate hot spares (optional). =>  YOU CAN SKIP THIS STEP
    c. Initialize the virtual disks. => must do.  just don't initialize the wrong disk.

After step #2c, you should be able to access the drive in ESXi or command line (esxcli nmp device list).

And no, you cannot add it manaully until you do step #2 above which is to setup disk group, create virtual disks, and initialize the virtual disk.

Good luck.

[zzmaher]

Hi lvong 

Thanks for you help to solve this issue ..

After creating the VD and intilaize it , i can see the new attached HD .

And i had created a new datastoe successfully ..

thanks a lot ..

Regards

Abuzeid Maher

Oracle System Engineer