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JohnnyNeckU
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Datastore show only 40GB

Hi Guys,

I've just installed vSphere ESXi 4.1.0 Update 1 on our new Dell PE R710 which include 2 TB of Disk Space.

But here's my problem : When I go in the vSphere Client and take a look on the Datastore size, It show only 40GB. I've reinstalled it and got the same result.

I'd like to know or to avoir this because it's the firt time à I face that kind of problem and of course, of to fix this?

Best Regards,

Johnny

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idle-jam
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VMFS maximum is 2TB-512KB per LUN. Anything more than that it would go crazy. I would advise splitting your LUN to 1TB each and you would not have any problem accessing and formatting your datastore.

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idle-jam
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VMFS maximum is 2TB-512KB per LUN. Anything more than that it would go crazy. I would advise splitting your LUN to 1TB each and you would not have any problem accessing and formatting your datastore.

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piaroa
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Like the other poster has said, there is a 2TB limitation for VMFS vols. Just provision it a tad smaller, say 1.9TB, or split it into smaller datastores.

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JohnnyNeckU
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hmmmm, so more than 2TB isn't supported by ESXi right?

The fact is my server is a standalone with local disks. 6 x 450 Gb 15k RPM - RAID-5.

Do you recommend me to make 2 RAID-5 (2 x 3 x 450GB) or a RAID-5 (5 x 450 GB) with 1 hotspare ?

Thanks

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JohnnyNeckU
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Is it possible to install the OS on a small partition and put all VMs on the biggest partition?

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idle-jam
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you could got for raid 6 as your second suggestion if you prefer better protection in terms of disk failure. another way is to use your current raid group but with 2 LUNs in it.

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piaroa
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I would go with RAID-5 (5 x 450 GB) with 1 hotspare.

Create 2 LUNs, one for the OS, with 6-8GB should be more than enough, and the other LUN with the rest of the space for the big 1.8GB aprox volume.

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ddouthitt
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I have virtually the exact same problem as the original poster - but the responses leave me confused.

The array is 2.04Tb in my case (on an R710) - and several of the responses said that the limit is 2Tb per LUN. I don't see where the 40GB limit comes from: 2Tb = 2048Gb --> 2048Gb - 40Gb = 2008Gb unaccounted for.

Some answers have stated "create two LUNs of 1Gb" ...how exactly is this done?

Thanks!

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DSTAVERT
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Welcome to the Communities.

You will need to go into the Array configuration BIOS during the boot process. Check the documantation for your particular array controller. I am hoping that it is a Hardware based RAID controller. How many disks and how is the array configured RAID level. What array controller.

-- David -- VMware Communities Moderator
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DSTAVERT
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If you have more than 2TB, the 2TB or multiples of 2TB are ignored.

-- David -- VMware Communities Moderator
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ddouthitt
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Thanks for the welcome!

I'm using the same as the original poster (though I don't think he said). The controller is a PERC 6/i and I'm into the set up now. I'm hoping I don't have to reinstall VMware - but if that's the way it goes, that's the way it goes.

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a_p_
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The 40 GB is the result of:

2.04TB modulo 2TB = 0.04TB --> 40GB

The 2TB minus 512 Bytes limitation is due to the SCSI-2 protocol. See http://kb.vmware.com/kb/3371739

Some answers have stated "create two LUNs of 1Gb" ...how exactly is this done?

You can split a RAID set in your RAID controller's BIOS into logical volumes. If you are going to do this, I'd recommend you create 1 small volume (~10GB) for ESXi and split the remaining space into two volumes for use as VMFS datastores.

André

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ddouthitt
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This is great information. Thank you for the details and for responding.

Now if only initializing 1Tb disks went faster.......

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