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Jsam47
Contributor
Contributor

Uploading an ISO to VxRail-Virtual-SAN-Datastore

Hello,

My skill level in VMware is below beginner.

I'm running a HCI VxRail system.

vSphere Client version 6.7.0.42000

How do I upload a windows ISO into the VxRail-Virtual-SAN-Datastore?

I get this prompt

vSAN datastore can only upload VMDK files using the VMware stream optimized format.

I also see 4 other datastores,

Type:VMFS 6

but I believe Im suppose to be using VxRail-Virtual-SAN to store my ISOs and take advantage of the hybrid storage.

Thank you,

8 Replies
Jsam47
Contributor
Contributor

Update:

I have found and followed this document.

Upload ISO Image Installation Media for a Guest Operating System

However, like I mention in my OP, I keep getting..

vSAN datastore can only upload VMDK files using the VMware stream optimized format.

which keeps preventing me to upload.

Again my specs are HCI VxRail using vSphere Client version 6.7.0.42000

Thank you,

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TheBobkin
Champion
Champion

Hello Jsam47​,

Welcome to Communities, vSphere and vSAN.

Are you trying to upload it at the datastore level or to a folder created on the datastore? Files should always be uploaded to folders.

As a workaround can you test uploading this to a folder via the Host client (as opposed to the vSphere client) - open this via your browser using the management IP address or FQDN of any host in the cluster.

Alternatively, you should be able to do this by uploading this (to a folder/namespace) using a tool such as WinSCP.

Bob

Jsam47
Contributor
Contributor

Hey!

Thanks for the reply,

I have been using the browser to access vsphere.

I have also created a folder called ISO to upload my guest ISOs but when I try to upload an ISO into said folder I get this prompt.(See attachment)

Thank you

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TheBobkin
Champion
Champion

Hello Jsam47​,

Yes I get the problem, but I don't think the way you are trying it will work - please if you can try the two workarounds I suggested.

A third workaround would be to upload the ISO to the VxRail service datastore via datastore browser and then simply us 'cp' or 'mv' to relocate it to a namespace folder on vsanDatastore via SSH

Bob

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stillwaterus
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

Log in ESXi Host Client (any host from the cluster), navigate to datastore browser, create a folder under vSAN datastore and upload ISO to the folder

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Chromeronin1
Contributor
Contributor

I Used a Content Library. I created a new content library using the VSAN as the backing storage, and uploaded the disk ISO image there. I could then connect this ISO to a CDROM device on a VM in the vSAN cluster.

 

Stayman1
Contributor
Contributor


@stillwaterus wrote:

Log in ESXi Host Client (any host from the cluster), navigate to datastore browser, create a folder under vSAN datastore and upload ISO to the folder



Just wanted to let others know this did not work for me when I tried it and resulted in the same message specified by the op

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TheBobkin
Champion
Champion

@Stayman1, if host-client also now doesn't allow upload via datastore browser for anything other than stream-optimised format (used to be just vSphere client IIRC) then you can use WinSCP or any other similar client to work around this if needed.

 

I am unaware of whether this is a feature-gap or specific intentional implementation which is well intended and/or to prevent some other possible issues - feel free to file a feature request relating to this either via VMware portal or via your TAM/CSM.

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