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ephillipsme
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ESX 4 Install localstorage block size?

During the install there appears to be no way to change the local block size on the VMFS created? Is there a ay other then a scripted install to change this?

~Ernie

VCP3,VCP4, MCSE, CCA

~Ernie
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Gabrie1
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Hi

If you want to change the blocksize on another partition than the one the COS is on, you could follow my blogppost: http://www.gabesvirtualworld.com/?p=728 Change blocksize of local VMFS.

I will add some more info later today including the info from Patrick.

Gabrie






http://www.GabesVirtualWorld.com

http://www.GabesVirtualWorld.com

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AndreTheGiant
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There isn't (with interactive installation).

Maybe with unattended installation (with kickstart)...

Andre

Andrew | http://about.me/amauro | http://vinfrastructure.it/ | @Andrea_Mauro
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There isn't an easy way of doing that right now. Given that a number of people have asked for it we're looking at adding it in future versions.

If you want to do this now, the only way to do it is by mucking around with the installer internals (and knowing how to use vi). It's not that difficult if you're familiar with using a command line. Try these steps for changing it with a graphical installation:

  1. boot the ESX installation DVD

  2. switch to the shell (Ctrl-Alt-F2)

  3. ps | grep Xorg

  4. kill the PID which comes up with something like "Xorg -br -logfile ...". On my system this comes up as PID 590, so "kill 590"

  5. cd /usr/lib/vmware/weasel

  6. vi fsset.py

  7. scroll down to the part which says "class vmfs3FileSystem(FileSystemType):"

  8. edit the "blockSizeMB" parameter to the block size that you want. it will currently be set to '1'. the only values that will probably work are 1, 2, 4, and 8.

  9. save and exit the file

  10. cd /

  11. /bin/weasel

After that, run through the installer as you normally would. To check that it worked, after the installer has completed you can go back to a different terminal (try Ctl-Alt-F3 since weasel is now running on tty2) and look through /var/log/weasel.log for the vmfstools creation command.

Hope that helps.

--Patrick.

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larstr
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Why don't you just make 8MB the default value? Then very few would have to change anything..

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depping
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Wow, thanks for this amazing work around. It's an issue a lot of small shops are facing and this definitely helps. I blogged it to make sure it is easy to find via google:

http://www.yellow-bricks.com/2009/11/11/changing-the-block-size-of-your-local-vmfs-during-the-instal...

Duncan

VMware Communities User Moderator | VCP | VCDX

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Gabrie1
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Hi

If you want to change the blocksize on another partition than the one the COS is on, you could follow my blogppost: http://www.gabesvirtualworld.com/?p=728 Change blocksize of local VMFS.

I will add some more info later today including the info from Patrick.

Gabrie






http://www.GabesVirtualWorld.com

http://www.GabesVirtualWorld.com
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maifriend
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Andre,

After step #4 (killing PID XXX), if I hit ENTER after I enter a command then the system will reboot.

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DSTAVERT
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You should create a new post and ask your question. Provide as much detail as you can in your question.

-- David -- VMware Communities Moderator
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